Archive · 2 Sep 2026
IIT Delhi Students Seek Buddy System Beyond Undergraduates
Some students at IIT Delhi want more support for graduate students.
They suggested using a buddy system for master’s and PhD students.
In this system, students could talk informally with another person.
A buddy could also check on someone who may be having a difficult time.
Harshit said graduate students can feel lonely.
They often take different courses, so they may not see the same people in class.
This can make it harder to notice when someone stops attending lectures.
The buddy system could help students feel less alone and more connected.
Harshit supports extending IIT Delhi’s buddy system beyond undergraduate first-year students.
He said master’s and PhD students can become lonelier than undergraduate students.
A wide choice of courses means graduate students may not see the same classmates regularly.
Students may not notice when someone has stopped attending lectures for several days.
A buddy could provide informal conversation and check on a student’s wellbeing.
- Who
- Harshit and students at IIT Delhi, particularly master’s and PhD students.
- What
- Students suggested extending the buddy system, usually used for first-year undergraduates, to graduate students.
- When
- Not specified.
- Where
- IIT Delhi.
- Why
- Graduate students may feel lonely because varied course choices reduce regular contact, making it harder for others to notice when someone is struggling or absent.
- Institution
- IIT Delhi
- Proposed expansion
- Extend the buddy system to master’s and PhD students.
- Current use
- The buddy system is usually used for first-year undergraduate students.
- Concern
- Graduate students may experience loneliness.
- Contributing factor
- Students take different courses and may not regularly see the same classmates.
- Potential benefit
- Buddies could provide informal conversation and check on absent students.