Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar launched the Dr Ishan Avdhoot Shivanand Center for Yogic Sciences and Holistic Development . The institute also announced the Dr Ishan Shivanand scholarship for Gifted Youth . These initiatives aim to support student and faculty wellbeing while providing crucial financial aid.
The new center focuses on enhancing structured wellbeing, mindfulness, and physical fitness across the campus community. It directly responds to the growing demand for organized mental and physical health support within academic institutions nationwide.
The scholarship program will fully fund 10 meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds. This ensures financial barriers do not limit their access to quality education and opportunities at IIT Ropar.
The Wellness Center
The new center, inaugurated by Director Rajeev Ahuja, includes a multipurpose hall. This facility features specialized flooring, designed to support a wide array of physical and mental wellness programs.
Planned activities within the center include:
- Daily yoga sessions and meditation practices
- Mindfulness training
- Aerobics classes
- Gymnastics programs
- Guided wellness activities
The facility will serve as a dedicated space for resilience-building and stress management programs. It also plans to host regular faculty wellbeing activities, peer-support initiatives, and collaborative research on holistic health interventions, as per IIT Ropar’s official statement.
The center will operate in close coordination with existing campus counseling services and academic support systems. This collaborative approach aims to create a fully integrated wellbeing framework for the entire IIT Ropar community, promoting a supportive academic environment.
Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, stated, “This center will serve as a sanctuary. Here, our community can find balance, build resilience, and cultivate the inner strength necessary for both personal and professional excellence.”
Key planned activities at the center involve:
- Stress management workshops, especially during academic peak periods
- Dedicated faculty wellness programs
- Campus-wide awareness initiatives on mental and physical health
- Community participation events encouraging collective wellbeing among students and staff
The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Dr Ishan Shivanand, Dr Atharva Poundarik, and Dr Bindukumar Kansupada, alongside Director Ahuja.
Dr Ishan Shivanand Scholarships
IIT Ropar launched the Dr Ishan Shivanand scholarship for Gifted Youth , offering 10 fully funded scholarships. These awards are distributed equally to eligible students.
Five scholarships are designated specifically for undergraduate students. The remaining five scholarships support postgraduate students. This ensures financial aid spans different academic levels within the institute.
Director Rajeev Ahuja commented on the program’s core philosophy. He stated, “Financial barriers should not limit opportunity.” He further noted, “Talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” underlining the scholarship’s mission.
These scholarships aim to remove tuition fee burdens entirely. They also provide comprehensive institutional support, including full access to the new wellbeing center. This allows selected students to focus on their academic and personal growth without financial stress.
Ahuja described the combination of the wellness center and scholarship program as “a holistic approach to education.” He emphasized that “academic excellence and student wellbeing are mutually reinforcing, rather than competing, priorities.”
The initiative also prepares students for complex global challenges by strengthening both intellectual capability and psychological resilience. The center expects to foster a culture where innovation emerges from balanced, centered individuals operating at their highest potential.