After IIT-Guwahati suicide, students demand attendance flexibility

After the third student suicide on its campus this year triggered protests, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati is considering students’ demands such as a new attendance policy, flexibility in academic procedures and changes in the placement department.

Last week’s suicide by a 21-year-old BTech student from Uttar Pradesh was the second such death in a month at IIT Guwahati.

A key demand that students made during an open house held in the wake of the suicide was the resignation of some senior administrative members, including the dean of academic affairs.

At the meeting last week, led by Director Professor Jalihal, the students also called for a relaxation in the policy that requires 75 per cent attendance to be eligible to appear for final exams.