Student Support Cell

Role of cSSC

1. Student Development

Coordinate programmes on developing soft skills (CV building, networking, entrepreneurship, local volunteering/outreach opportunities etc.). Offer these programs across all centers/units using both online and in-person events.

2. Career Guidance

a) The SSC should collate a list of opportunities for PhD degree holders and display these on a suitable website linked to the TIFR GS Office site. Faculty across the system are encouraged to inform SSC of any opportunities in their field, and these can be routed through SSC to the TIFR GS Office who will ensure that only the most up-to-date information is posted.

b) The SCC should provide access to resource people (from TIFR or outside) who listen to students and provide tangible advice on career trajectories. Resource people can be drawn from academia, industry, NGOs, government, publishing etc. and provide mentoring on timelines, and access to ‘post-submission’ short-term opportunities and “extern-ships” to explore non-academic science careers

3. Community and Identity Building

Networking between student bodies across the TIFR system. A pan-TIFR student-led symposia rotating between centres/units could be considered.

4. Wellness and Mental Health

Organizing workshops on self-awareness, mental well-being, establishing listening groups and ensuring equitable access to resources at TIFR or in the local area.

5. Increasing Student Engagement

Acting as a bridge between students and the faculty/admin to provide inputs in some aspects of campus life that can affect them (canteen, library, medical, housing etc.).

Constituion cSSC

For future-proofing the SSC a distributed model for SSC would be appropriate. Apan-TIFR Institutional SSC (ISSC) can act as a coordinating group that anchors centre-specific SSC (cSSC) and provide a broader perspective. cSSC is made up of around three faculty and staff, and potentially up to two students. Where possible a student support officer (either a member of the CGSO or a specially appointed person) acts as the member secretary. These summaries provide anonymised reports from counseling services on the mental well-being of the unit and any other activities done. Two members from each cSSC are part of the ISSC. ISSC provides overall coordination, primarily to share best practices, and new ideas. They also prepare a consolidated report of SSC activities across the system for Dean-GS and Director-TIFR.

For balance, both cSSC and ISSC should have a mix of senior and junior members of the institute. Close liaison between academic offices and Deans and SSC will be necessary to implement recommendations.

Office Orders