Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Sep 12: A committee headed by South Goa collector Egna Cleetus on Monday began its inquiry into the recent student deaths at BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa campus. The panel, formed last week by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after the fifth death in 10 months, visited the institute to review measures being taken.

During the visit, the institute informed the collector that it will frame a dedicated mental health policy. Officials also highlighted upcoming initiatives such as psychometric testing of students and orientation programmes for parents to address mental health concerns.

The institute shared that it maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards substance and alcohol abuse, ragging, and sexual harassment. It also has an ‘Mpower Centre’ on campus staffed with two clinical psychologists, two therapists and one psychiatrist, one of whom resides on campus.

Experts including Dr Peter Castelino of COOJ, Dr Soumitra Pathare of the Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy, Dr Sujatha Sharma of Rahat Charitable and Medical Research Trust, and the Mariwala Research Trust are being consulted for preventive measures. Plans are also underway for a comprehensive well-being assessment of students, aimed at early identification and intervention.

Academic changes have been introduced to reduce pressure, with fewer evaluative components, rescheduled exams, and restructured courses that now include physical fitness, extracurricular activities, innovation, and design thinking. Faculty outreach programmes under ‘Mitr’ are also being continued.

The chief minister has assured that based on the committee’s report, further instructions will be issued to the institute to prevent recurrence of such incidents.