“Campus Mothers Are Not Replacements, But Reinforcements,” Says IIT Kharagpur Director Amid Criticism
On the eve of IIT Kharagpur’s 71st convocation, Director Dr. Suman Chakraborty addressed concerns over the institute’s recently introduced “Campus Mothers” initiative—a part of a broader mental health and student welfare overhaul. Speaking to the media on Monday, July 14, 2025, Dr. Chakraborty clarified that the program was not meant to replace professional counselors, but rather to add a layer of emotional warmth and informal support to the student support ecosystem.
“This isn’t a standalone initiative at the expense of professional care,” he said. “It’s about offering students comfort at every level—not just the counselling center.”
The Campus Mothers initiative, which invites older women living on campus to volunteer and offer informal emotional care, has drawn criticism from mental health professionals and student groups who worry that the concept is “gendered” and potentially undermines the role of trained counselors. Critics also raised ethical concerns regarding confidentiality and the nature of volunteer intervention.
Introducing SETU: A 5-Pronged Mental Health Framework
Dr. Chakraborty used the occasion to launch SETU, an ambitious new student welfare strategy. Short for Support, Empathy, Transformation, and Upliftment, SETU is built around five integrated pillars:
- Upgraded Counselling Center – Offering group therapy, stress management workshops, 24/7 online support, one-on-one therapy, psychiatric consultation, and more.
- AI-Driven Student Welfare App – A tech-enabled solution for round-the-clock emotional check-ins.
- Campus Wellness Groups – Peer-led and faculty-supported networks for emotional first response.
- Hostel-Level Welfare Units – Small, localized teams in every wing of each residence hall to help identify and respond to student distress early.
- Student Involvement Initiatives – Encouraging students to take ownership of their well-being and that of their peers.
“We’re moving away from the notion that just 15 counselors can take care of 20,000 students,” Dr. Chakraborty said. “We’re building an ecosystem where every student has multiple support touchpoints.”
Why ‘Campus Mothers’? And Why Now?
Defending the “Campus Mothers” initiative, the Director strongly denied that the program was based on gender stereotypes.
“This is not a gendered initiative. In fact, it’s an attempt to correct a skew—90% of student welfare activities are currently male-led. This is about inclusivity and emotional depth,” he explained.
Volunteers under this initiative will undergo training from licensed professionals to ensure ethical boundaries, respect, and confidentiality are maintained. The program officially launches on July 25, coinciding with the arrival of the new batch of students. A comprehensive orientation is also being planned for incoming students and their parents.
A Renewed Focus on Campus Security
Dr. Chakraborty also revealed that the institute is working on a multi-layered campus security plan, particularly in light of recent incidents involving female students across various academic institutions in West Bengal, including IIM Calcutta and RG Kar Medical College.
The upcoming plan will address not just safety for women, but also aims to prevent substance abuse, physical violence, and mental health-related emergencies. Dr. Chakraborty emphasized that this would not result in increased harassment under the guise of vigilance:
“Security is not about surveillance; it’s about smart prevention and humane response,” he added. “We’ll use technology for data-driven strategies, just like SETU.”
Moving from Reactive to Proactive
In a stark admission, the Director referenced the institute’s recent tragedies—three student deaths this year alone—highlighting the urgency behind these measures.
“We have to stop being reactive after tragedies. Prevention is more important than procedure,” he said.
With mental health now taking center stage, IIT Kharagpur’s administration is gearing up for a paradigm shift. The new SETU model, with its blend of professional care, community support, and tech-enabled intervention, could become a model for other institutions navigating the emotional needs of high-pressure academic environments.
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