Gupta further highlights the importance of peer networks and ongoing resilience-building from orientation to graduation.
Ashoka University’s Vineet Gupta emphasizes the urgent need for Indian institutions to embed student well-being into education, viewing emotional resilience as key to real student success.
Vineet Gupta, Ashoka University co-founder, urges educational institutions to make student well-being the backbone of higher education. Resilience, emotional strength, and comprehensive support systems, he believes, are just as pivotal as conventional academics for genuine student success.
The Unseen Challenge Behind Indian Academic Success
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India’s colleges and universities often highlight top grades, impressive placements, and research breakthroughs. Yet, the stress students face, heightened by fierce academic competition, uncertain career prospects, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be ignored. Anxiety, depression, and burnout are prevalent, raising a pressing question: Can universities truly prepare young people for life if they disregard student wellness?
Gupta asserts, “Teaching students to manage their own well-being is fundamental. A safe and healthy individual learns better and grows stronger, not just academically, but as a whole person.”
Shifting the Higher Education Paradigm
Today’s academic journey is more demanding and uncertain than ever. The pandemic magnified isolation and loneliness. Recent government figures point to a disturbing rise in student suicides, exposing the gaps in India's current approach to student support. Vineet Gupta Ashoka Founder calls for a transformation: colleges must offer more than knowledge. Students need emotional strength, physical health, and supportive networks to become both capable learners and compassionate leaders.
Signals of Change: IITs Lead the Way
In 2024, IIT-Bombay flagged serious concerns about student mental health, prompting investments in wellness centers and peer support systems. IIT-Hyderabad convened the National Wellbeing Conclave, collaborating with mental health experts and educators to forge proactive campus wellness strategies. Other IITs and higher education institutions nationwide are implementing regular fitness, counselling, and well-being programs, recognizing that occasional workshops and stress-busting events just aren’t enough.
These initiatives mark a cultural shift, with student mental health moving from the fringes to the forefront.
Imagining a Truly Supportive Campus
Gupta envisions universities where yoga, meditation, and fitness are woven into daily schedules. Emotional intelligence classes, resilience training, and mentorship programs supplement traditional coursework. Professional counselors and existing faculty work together, making guidance as accessible as academic support.
He notes, “Campus culture must champion well-being as a daily priority, not just when crisis strikes.” Internationally, institutions like Harvard University and the American University in Cairo model this holistic approach, integrating wellness opportunities into the student experience.
Gupta further highlights the importance of peer networks and ongoing resilience-building from orientation to graduation. Regular check-ins, transparent access to support, and a culture of community instead of competition help create environments where students thrive.
The Importance of Resilient Learners in a Changing World
In a world defined by rapid technological change and unpredictable career landscapes, emotional agility is essential. While technical skills matter, the ability to manage stress, failure, and ambiguity is what sets future leaders apart. Gupta emphasizes, “Students who learn to embrace uncertainty and defeat are already well ahead, even before their first job.”
Higher education, therefore, must prioritize not only high marks but also high emotional intelligence and adaptability.
Steps Toward Lasting Reform
Gupta proposes a practical blueprint for embedding wellness in college life:
- Designate trained well-being officers to oversee campus initiatives.
- Make fitness and mindfulness classes credit-earning requirements.
- Integrate resilience workshops and emotional intelligence training into academic modules.
- Provide confidential, stigma-free access to mental health services via helplines and online portals.
- Regularly audit student well-being and include its metrics alongside academic outcomes in institutional reviews.
A Student-First Vision for Indian Higher Education
Gupta’s philosophy is clear: “Institutions of tomorrow will excel only if they value their students’ emotional and physical well-being as much as academic achievement. Safe, inspiring campuses make empowered citizens.” He advocates for a higher education system that nurtures, rather than neglects, student well-being.
The path forward isn’t about reducing academic rigor, but reinforcing it through robust support. By placing well-being at the heart of their mission, universities can cultivate graduates ready not just to succeed, but to make a meaningful impact.
