In the Classroom and Beyond: Holistic Student Development at the Heart of IIT Gandhinagar

In today’s competitive world, merely obtaining an undergraduate or postgraduate degree is insufficient. You need to be able to stand apart from the crowd and have a multitude of skills that are in demand. While it is good to look out for institutes that provide specific academic courses to set you on your career path, there are several other factors that one needs to consider when applying to an institute for higher education.

IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) has much to offer in terms of education and overall character-building. In addition to cultivating a mindset towards research and innovation wherein students are encouraged to participate in solving real-world challenges and fundamental research questions, the institute encourages exposure beyond the campus’ walls through the range of lectures, conferences, workshops, and colloquia that it hosts across disciplines. It also has several visiting faculty exchange programmes and study abroad programmes each year. The institute further emphasises project-oriented learning and gaining practical experiences along with high-quality classroom education. By following a core philosophy of “learning by doing”, an idea that you can learn better and faster by actively experiencing the subject of the learning, IITGN seeks to inculcate critical thinking, leadership qualities, and communication skills in all its students. Finally, the academics at the institute focuses on the interdisciplinary character of knowledge, with students encouraged to (and in some cases mandated to) take up courses on liberal arts, design, and the life sciences.

Beyond academics, one philosophy that sets IITGN apart from several other institutes in the country is that it strictly follows a “students-first” approach, which means that all initiatives and decisions are taken only after first considering the interests of the students. According to Prof Shekhar, “Students are considered important stakeholders in all our decisions—whether academic, administrative, or relating to campus life”. Such an approach ensures that students not only get a certain degree of freedom but also learn responsibility, as their opinions are counted toward initiatives that will eventually affect their own academic, social, physical, and emotional well-being.

IITGN also offers two very unique fellowship programmes for its students: the Explorer Fellowship and the Gram Fellowship. Both of these provide students with opportunities to learn from real-life scenarios. The Explorer Fellowship, which has been availed of by more than 350 students to date, provides a rare opportunity for a group of 2–3 students to travel during the summer months (May–July) to explore six or more Indian states over a continuous time period spanning at least six weeks. These six states include at least one state each from the south, north, and northeast regions of India. Prof Sivapriya Kirubakaran, Associate Professor, Chemistry and Dean of Student Affairs at IITGN, says “What makes travelling in this Fellowship unique is that students must travel only via Sleeper Class trains and state government buses and must stay in budget accommodation. Additionally, students have to plan their travel around themes such as cuisines, handicrafts, folklore, and cultural and natural heritage. Their journey helps them to self-reflect, gain powerful insight, and better appreciate the staggering diversity of India”.

Apart from empowering students through its teaching philosophy, various initiatives, and a culture of additional learning right from the start, IITGN also provides students with ample opportunities and the necessary infrastructure to pursue co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The ultimate goal is to help students become lifelong learners, innovators, and responsible members of the global community who blaze a trail and chart a path for the world that leads to a sustainable future.