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Targeted efforts, sensitisation drives needed to curb rising student suicides

Targeted efforts, sensitisation drives needed to curb rising student suicides 

In developed states where per capita income is more, higher aspirations often lead to increased pressure 

Priyadarshini.Gupta@timesofindia.com 14.10.2024

Despite several government initiatives such as Manodarpan, Tele Mental Health Assurance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) helpline, School Health and Wellness Programme, and other initiatives to address mental health challenges, student suicides continue to rise in India. According to a recent report from the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024, India is witnessing an alarming rise in student suicides. A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals that the student suicide rate in India has surpassed both the population growth rate and overall suicide trends. Over the past two decades, student suicides have grown at an alarming annual rate of 4%, double the national average. 

In 2022, male students accounted for 53% of total student suicides. Between 2021 and 2022, male student suicides decreased by 6%, while female student suicides increased by 7%, noted the report. Poor mental health As per the report, Maharashtra leads with the highest student suicide rate at 1,764, followed by Tamil Nadu (1,416), Madhya Pradesh (1,340), Uttar Pradesh (1,060), and Jharkhand (824). These five states are collectively making up 49% of all student suicides in the country. The statistics indicate that one in seven youngters between the ages of 15 and 24 in India faces poor mental health.

 Ramya Modukuri, director, Future Pathways for ISP Group of Schools, Hyderabad, says, “Rising student suicides are driven by academic stress, competitive exams, and narrow definitions of success. This is aggravated by limited career awareness among students, which heightens anxiety about the future. Social media and selfesteem problems through constant comparison and online  trolling; nuclear families, lack of emotional support, and loneliness are the other major issues that impact a child’s mind. The stigma around mental health prevents many students from seeking help, causing them to suffer in isolation.” 

She says, “Certain states, like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, may report higher student suicide rates due to bet ter reporting mechanisms and potentially less stigma in urban areas. National initiatives are steps in the right direction, but more targeted local efforts are needed.” Outlining Maharashtra government’s comprehensive efforts to address child welfare concerns through the Saksham Balak Abhiyan (SBA), Prashant Narnaware, commissioner, Maharashtra Women and Child Development, says, “The initiative focuses on addressing the multiple pressures faced by children, including academic stress, parental expectations, and the growing issues of addiction — not just substance abuse but also online addiction. The programme, designed in collaboration with the child welfare commission, has been taken to schools and other platforms to directly engage children, parents, and teachers.” Dr V Senthil Kumar Reddi, professor, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, says, “Students, particularly those aged 15 to 29, are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to suicide. In economically developed states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu where the per capita income is more, higher aspirations often lead to increased pressure, which accelerates feelings of hopelessness.

Also, despite being connected digitally, many students experience a sense of isolation.” Dr Reddi says, “The effectiveness of government policies often hinges on their implementation at the ground level. States such as Maharashtra, TN, and UP have initiated targeted interventions and training drives to address suicide prevention, but the success of these measures may vary. There may also be gaps in the implementation of these policies.” Underscoring the need for robust support systems, he says, “Programmes such as gatekeeper training should be encouraged. It is designed to equip individuals with skills to recognise and support those at risk of suicide. These programmes aim to identify signs and provide initial support before professional help is accessed. Creating safe, non-judgmental spaces for students to express their feelings and seek help is also crucial. The affected ones, most of the times, just want to be heard out.” 

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Thanks to AI, no more burdened professors in classrooms By taking over routine tasks, AI will allow educators to focus on fostering creativity

Thanks to AI, no more burdened professors in classrooms By taking over routine tasks, AI will allow educators to focus on fostering creativity

 Divyansh.Kumar@timesofindia.com 14.10.2024

By automating repetitive tasks and taking over mundane administrative work, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will allow educators to focus more on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. In a traditional classroom, teachers deliver lectures, assist and assess students’ work which often leaves little time for ideation, creative thinking and advanced learning. 

With AI integration, tasks such as administrative work, marking attendance, grading, and providing basic instruction can be automated. AI can assess students’ understanding by conducting quizzes and help prepare them before class discussions even begin, ensuring that students are better prepared for advanced interactions. Assess students’ knowledge In September, IIM Sambalpur introduced AI platforms that are being used to automate the initial layers of Bloom’s Taxonomy, including its six forms — knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. “This will be done by assessing students’ knowledge through quizzes and structuring discussions around case studies. 

This frees up professors to focus on higher-level creative and critical thinking tasks, enhancing students’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems,” says Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, director, IIM Sambalpur. With AI playing a more prominent role, institutions across the globe are preparing the next generation for an AI-driven future. “This shift will empower educators to dedicate more time for indepth discussions, research and mentorship, and personalised guidance. This will also tackle faculty shortages while improving the educational experience,” adds Prof Jaiswal. IIM Sambalpu using AI for around five out of 20 sessions by automating structured tasks such as quizzes, participation tracking, and pre-class assessments. This enables professors to steer discussions towards higher-order learning,” he added. 

In the top US universities, AI has been handling repetitive tasks, allowing faculty to focus on more advanced learning. “Assessing the participation of 90 students can be overwhelming in traditional settings, but with AI, we can ensure equitable evaluation and feedback,” says Prof Jaiswal, underlining how AI will address faculty shortage. “Even the top institutions, including IIMs and IITs face a deficit of 30%-40% faculty. If AI can handle 20% of our faculty requirements, we will see a significant improvement in education quality without escalating the cost,” he adds. Implementation hurdles Despite its benefits, implementing AI has its challenges. Data privacy is a primary concern, and IIM Sambalpur plans to collaborate with tech companies to safeguard student information. 

Initial apprehension among faculty members will be addressed through workshops and pilot programmes. “The technology will be introduced in a phased manner, starting with a select group of faculty members. This will allow for real-time feedback and ensure a smooth transition,” Prof Jaiswal says, adding, “Notably, students accustomed to less structured learning may find the shift to a more accountable system challenging, but the goal is to enhance overall educational outcomes.” Cost factors While AI implementation comes with associated costs, Prof Jaiswal points out that the expenses are manageable. Currently, the institution pays around $5 per student for Harvard cases, and this increases to $10 with the AI platform. 

“However, faculty cost savings during AI-driven sessions balance the overall expenditure. As the system expands, we expect the per-session cost to decrease,” he says. “The professor is not replaced by AI; instead, AI tackles the repetitive tasks, freeing up time for professors to guide students through critical thinking and problem-solving,” Jaiswal says. “This shift aligns with our vision of nurturing responsible leaders ready to navigate complex business landscapes.” 

Key challenges ● Data privacy: Concerns about safeguarding student information during AI implementation

 ● Faculty resistance: Initial apprehension among faculty regarding AI integration 

 ● Student adjustment: Students may struggle with transitioning to a structured learning environment 

● Resource allocation: Balancing the costs associated with AI technology and training

UGC PhD Excellence Citation aims to boost high-quality research

UGC PhD Excellence Citation aims to boost high-quality research

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com 14.10.2024 

To create a quality research ecosystem, identify high-quality PhD work among young research scholars and recognise them, the UGC is instituting the ‘PhD Excellence Citation.’ The research works for the citation will be selected through a vigorous process, including a screening committee at the university level and a selection committee at the UGC level.

 “Each university may constitute its screening committee to shortlist candidates for the PhD Excellence Citation,’ says Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, UGC chairman. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may use the following parameters while shortlisting the theses: 

Originality and Innovation: The thesis should demonstrate original thinking and innovative approaches to a specific research problem or topic; Methodology: The quality and rigour of the research methodology employed in the thesis will be crucial. This includes the design, execution, and analysis of the research; 

Clarity and Structure: The thesis should be wellwritten, organised, and structured clearly and coherently; References and Citations: The proper use of references and citations to acknowledge previous work and sources of information is essential; Presentation: The presentation of the thesis, including figures, tables, and other visuals, should be of high quality; Defence: The candidate’s ability to defend their thesis during the viva voce or oral examination is also considered. 

“Given the heterogeneous nature of HEIs in the country and the prevailing multidisciplinary education, the HEIs will decide on the suitability of athesis in a particular stream,” says Professor Kumar. “Eminent professors and researchers from top institutions in India will be part of the selection committees. Each committee will pick two candidates from their respective streams based on the po tential of the thesis to contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge in the field of study. The committee shall also consider the publications and patents emanating from the thesis. Thesis work done in collaboration with industry will be encouraged. 

The committee will give  priority to India-centric issues and solutions. Universities may upload the nominations on the application portal which will be created for this purpose. The selection committee for each stream will evaluate the nominations and recommend two theses for PhD Excellence Citation to UGC. The selection commit tee formed by UGC may also be free to decide on the suitability of a thesis under a particular stream. UGC will facilitate the winners with a citation in a function organised by UGC on September 5 every year,” says Professor Kumar. Scholars from five streams including Sciences (Agricultural Sciences, Medical Sciences), Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences (including Education and Humanities), Indian Languages, Commerce and Management will be eligible for the PhD citation.

“The UGC will ensure that field-specific committees with experts from various disciplines will xamine the theses to ensure that evaluation standards are appropriate for each field. UGC expert committees will use qualitative metrics, such as long-term research impact, innovation, and societal relevance, rather than simply focusing on the number of publications or citations. The idea is to help promote meaningful research,” says Prof Kumar. Seeking funds HEIs must better support PhD scholars to promote excellence in PhD research. 

“They should work towards getting increased funding from external sources such as government grants, private foundations, and industry partnerships. HEIs must establish Research and Development cells based on UGC guidelines to help their faculty write successful project proposals, turn basic research into applied research and develop startups,” he adds. Institutions that are NAAC accredited and recognised under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act are eligible to nominate PhD theses from their institutions, Professor Kumar says that this will encourage more institutions to apply for accreditation.

NEWS TODAY 13.10.2024

 

Two arrested for supplying fake marksheets

Two arrested for supplying fake marksheets 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

Chennai : Two people, including a man who runs a media association in Rajamangalam, were arrested for preparing and supplying fake Class X and Class XII marksheets to people. The arrested were identified as Vijay Ananth alias Ananthan, 47, a resident of Vinayagapuram near Kolathur, and Langruf Ruben alias Jeremiah, 42, of Sekkadu near Avadi. Police said Ananthan had been running ‘Universal Press Media’ in Rajamangalam. After one of the staff found Ananthan preparing the forged documents of Class X and XII marksheets, a complaint was made. Based on the complaint, the Kolathur police registered a case and arrested Ananthan and Jeremiah. Police seized one laptop, one Central Processing Unit (CPU), one hard disk, one DVR recorder, two mobile phones, seven seals, 48 fake mark sheets, and three pen drives. The arrested duo was remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a magistrate court in the city

City gets rainy season’s 1st orange alert

City gets rainy season’s 1st orange alert 

Rain Activity Likely Due To Weather System That May Form Over The Bay Utejonmayam@timesofindia.com 

13.10.2024

Chennai : The met department has issued an orange alert for Chennai and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram, Chengalpet and Tiruvallur on Oct 15, saying heavy to very heavy premonsoon rain of 6cm to 20cm is likely next week. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a yellow alert (6cm-12 cm) for Chennai and its suburbs for Oct 14 and 16, saying they are likely to receive heavy rainfall. The rain activity is likely due to a weather system that may form over the Bay and bring spells across several districts next week. Bloggers said if the system moves slowly, the rain activity may last longer. “For the next 48 hours, the city and the suburbs may receive moderate intensity rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over some are as. Sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy. Maximum temperature is likely to be at 32°C-33°C and minimum temperature likely to be 25°C26°C,” said an IMD bulletin. 

At present, there is an upper air cyclonic circulation over the south Tamil Nadu coast and one over the southwest Bay of Bengal. Meteorologists said the latter system may develop into a low pressure and may move along the Tamil Nadu coast, bringing rainfall to several districts. It may or may not develop into a depression as it may be close to the coast and not over deep sea to gain energy from the warm waters. On Oct 14, districts such as Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur, Chengalpet and Mayiladuthurai may re ceive heavy rain. Rain intensity may increase on Oct 15 as Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Chengelpet may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Rainfall may continue on Oct 16, with ghat  areas of Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Erode, Dharmapuri, Tirupattur, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Krishnagiri, Salem, and Tiruvannamalai districts possibly receiving heavy rainfall. 

In the last few days, Chennai city received on and off rain spells of light intensity, as cloudy weather kept the day temperatures down. The overnight rainfall left 1 cm each in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam. The day after the night spells was pleasant, with temperatures. Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 32.1°C and 31.4 °C, 0.8 °C and 1.5 °C below normal Blogger Pradeep John, in an online post, said the system may form over the south-central Bay and move towards the north Tamil NaduSouth Andhra Pradesh coast. “Whenever a system takes this route, it gives plenty of rainfall to the north Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts, and particularly with the convex shape of the Chennai coast, they fall on the hotspot. If the low pressure slows down near the coast, it can give rainfall for more than 2-3 days,” he said. MSID:: 114172736 413 |

NEWS TODAY 12.10.2024