MUMBAI: Following the death by suicide of 20-year-old BTech student, Sahil Wakode, IIT-Bombay is planning a series of measures aimed at addressing concerns around student well-being and hostel living, including a twin-sharing model for all student hostels, sources at the institute said.As part of a longer-term measure, new hostels being planned by the institute are likely to follow a twin-sharing model, sources said. The idea was also discussed at the institute’s open house held on Monday in the presence of the director and other institute functionaries. As of now, first-year students start with shared occupancy and get independent rooms as they go to higher classes.The institute is also consulting faculty members and other functionaries and experts to identify measures that can be implemented immediately. The administration has sought suggestions from faculty through a Google form circulated on Wednesday morning. Meetings with faculty members at institute level and at department levels were held to explore additional measures. A senior professor said that the institute is reviewing existing facilities and will accordingly plan its steps.On Wednesday, the institute’s dean of student affairs sent out mails to students extending the counselling hours at six hostels and the students’ wellness centre office for Wednesday. The move was intended to make counselling support more accessible to students following the incident.In another email, IIT-B reiterated its old policy where students can also avail themselves of external counselling support. Students who wish to seek counselling from an outside empanelled agency can do so, with the institute adding that the charges will be reimbursed. Students have also been encouraged to reach out to counsellors through their mentors. The institute has shared contact numbers for various counselling services to ensure that students have access to support when required.
