On 2nd March 2022, National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra signed an agreement with UNESCO MGIEP that aspires to revolutionize how essential soft skills are perceived and taught in educational institutes in India. This agreement aims to empower the youth, starting with the young minds of the institute, whilst embarking on a journey towards social and emotional well-being through online lectures and disquisitions. A step towards the aim is a fully digital, self-paced 40 hours SEEK (Self-directed Emotional Learning for Empathy and Kindness) programme that teaches valuable interpersonal skills that are indispensable in the corporate world.

The agreement was signed in the august presence of Prof. BV Ramana Reddy, Director NIT Kurukshetra, Prof. Pankaj Chandna, President NIT Kurukshetra Alumni Association, and all Deans and heads of the Institute. Mr Abel Caine, Head of the youth team and Ms Archana Chaudhary, the Executive officer of UNESCO MGIEP were also present. Dr Reddy informed that NIT Kurukshetra is the first among all NITs to offer the SEEK course to their students and staff. In partnership with UNESCO MGIEP, the course will be offered to 6000 students in the initial phase and this number is expected to grow exponentially over time. Through this partnership, learners from NIT Kurukshetra are also invited to join a dedicated SEEK online community where they can interact with their fellow learners as well as SEEK facilitators. The programme offers to inculcate skills such as empathy, mindfulness, compassion, critical inquiry apart from the cognitive skills which are usually the primary focus of most institutions. This agreement will help NIT Kurukshetra achieve its goal to provide holistic personality development to all its students.

Based on Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT) developed by the Center for Compassion, Integrity and Secular Ethics at Life University (USA), MGIEP partnered with Life University to develop SEEK. This certified course is designed in the English language and is hosted on UNESCO MGIEP’s FramerSpace learning system. This course on emotional intelligence skills is science-based and is endorsed by UGC and funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.