Student Affairs

From MetaIITGN

The Student Affairs Office at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar plays a crucial role in enhancing the student experience by fostering a supportive and vibrant campus environment. This office oversees various aspects of student life, including academic support, residential life, student clubs and activities, health and wellness services, and career counseling.

The current Dean of Student Affairs is Professor Sivapriya Kirubakarn, and the current Associate Dean of Student Affairs is Professor Manish Kumar.

Along with the Academic Office and the Research and Development (R&D) Office, the Student Affairs Office is one of the pillars of the IIT Gandhinagar administration.

Role and Responsibilities[edit | edit source]

The Student Affairs Office is dedicated to the holistic development of students, ensuring their well-being and success both academically and personally. Key responsibilities include:

  • Academic Support: Providing guidance and resources to help students excel in their studies. The Student Affairs office handles this qualitiatively, while the official documentation, et cetera, are handled by the Academic Office.
  • Residential Life: Managing on-campus housing and promoting a safe and inclusive living environment.
  • Student Clubs and Activities: Encouraging student engagement through various clubs, societies, and extracurricular activities.
  • Health and Wellness Services: Offering medical and psychological support to maintain students' health and well-being.
  • Career Counseling: Assisting students with career planning, internships, and job placements.

COVID-19 Response[edit | edit source]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Affairs Office at IITGN played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the campus community. The institute developed a COVID-19 dashboard to provide real-time updates and projections on the pandemic's progression, which helped in effective decision-making and resource allocation. Additionally, IITGN was proactive in organizing vaccination drives, ensuring that over 900 students received vaccines ahead of the government's eligibility schedule.

The institute also extended its support to broader relief efforts by donating significant funds to the PM CARES Fund and the West Bengal Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for COVID-19 and Cyclone Amphan relief.

Initiatives and Programs[edit | edit source]

The Student Affairs Office regularly introduces initiatives aimed at improving student life. These include:

  • Mentorship Programs: Pairing students with faculty and alumni mentors to guide them through academic and career challenges.
  • Wellness Workshops: Conducting sessions on mental health, stress management, and physical wellness.
  • Cultural and Sports Events: Organizing various cultural festivals, sports tournaments, and other events to foster a sense of community and belonging.

Contact Information[edit | edit source]

The Student Affairs Office is located in the administrative block of the IIT Gandhinagar campus. Students can reach out to the office through email, phone, or in-person visits for any support or inquiries.

Key Programmes[edit | edit source]

The Student Affairs Office is responsible for a wide range of functions, including:

  • Residency Fellowships for Artists, Athletes, and Sports Persons: Approved by the Board of Governors in its 34th meeting, this fellowship aims to bring young artists, athletes, and sports persons to the campus to engage with students and enhance the well-being ambiance. Fellows are selected through a competitive process and receive a stipend of Rs. 35,000 per month.
  • Medical Facilities: As per the norms approved in the 33rd meeting of the Board of Governors, IITGN provides comprehensive medical facilities to students. This includes outpatient treatment, specialist consultations, pathology/radiology tests, and inpatient treatment covered under a Medical Group Insurance Scheme with a coverage limit of Rs. 1.50 lakhs.
  • Vikram Sarabhai Research Fellowship: Approved in the 31st meeting of the Board of Governors, this fellowship aims to encourage Ph.D. students to complete their graduation within four years by providing a 12-month research fellowship at a higher rate than the Ph.D. fellowship rate.
  • Junior Fellowship Program: Designed to help fresh graduates explore unconventional career paths or gain new skills, this program offers a stipend ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month, plus bachelor accommodation.
  • Undergraduate Scholarships: The office oversees the setting up and management of various scholarships to support the financial needs of undergraduate students, based on merit-cum-means or purely on merit.
  • Hostel Accommodation for Guests: Guidelines and charges for hostel accommodation for guests, including students visiting for academic or employment-related interviews, external students attending workshops, and non-student guests.
  • Gram Fellowship: This fellowship encourages students to immerse themselves in rural life, engage with the community, and understand socio-economic and cultural aspects. Students are expected to commit three to eight weeks during winter or summer breaks.
  • Explorer’s Fellowship: Enabling students to travel across different parts of India to gain new perspectives, this fellowship requires students to travel in groups, explore at least six states, and stay in budget accommodations.
  • Comprehensive Viva Voce: A mandatory non-credit component for undergraduate students aimed at assessing their overall well-being, academic interests, and career goals through personal conversations with faculty panels.
  • Academic Misconduct Norms: Policies for dealing with academic deviance and non-academic misconduct, including penalties and procedures for reporting and addressing violations.
  • Honor Code and SSAC: A set of values created and governed by students to promote honesty, integrity, and mutual respect within the IITGN community. Violations of the honor code may result in disciplinary actions such as expulsion, suspension, fines or student harassment.
  • On-Campus Employment Opportunities Program (oCEO): Provides students with employment and job experience on campus, with remuneration based on performance and engagement.
  • Additional Financial Support: Interest-free loans and financial grants for students facing financial constraints, to support their academic pursuits and well-being.
  • Tuition Fee Waiver/Financial Aid: Various schemes to support economically disadvantaged students, including tuition fee waivers and interest-free loans under the Vidyalaxmi scheme.
  • Excellence Scholarships: Scholarships for academic excellence, sports, arts and culture, social work, and leadership, with recipients awarded Rs. 2,000 per month for ten months.
  • Medals, Awards, and Prizes: Various medals and awards for academic and overall performance, including President’s Gold Medals, Institute Gold and Silver Medals, and Director’s Gold and Silver Medals.

Positions Present[edit | edit source]

The Student Affairs Office comprises several key positions, each with specific responsibilities:

  • Dean of Student Affairs: The head of the Student Affairs Office, responsible for overseeing all student-related activities and initiatives.
  • Associate Dean of Student Affairs: Assists the Dean in managing various functions and programs.
  • Warden of Student Welfare: Responsible for managing hostel accommodation and ensuring the well-being of residential students.
  • Medical Consultants: Provide healthcare services to students and manage the medical center.
  • Student Counselors: Offer emotional and psychological support to students, helping them navigate personal and academic challenges.
  • Sports Coaches and Instructors: Manage physical education courses and sports activities, promoting fitness and well-being.
  • Hostel Caretakers: Oversee the daily operations of student hostels, ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment.
  • Student Representatives: Elected by the student body to voice student concerns and participate in decision-making processes.

The Student Affairs Office at IIT Gandhinagar is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive campus environment, ensuring that students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive both academically and personally.

References[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://wiki.metaiitgn.org/wiki/Student_Affairs?oldid=57"