JIBS Dean conferred with Presidential Medal for Service and Excellence by STAR Scholars Network
Professor (Dr.) Pulkit Khanna, Dean, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS), has been awarded the 2025 Presidential Medal of Service and Excellence by the STAR Scholars Network. It is the organisation’s highest honour recognising exceptional leadership, commitment, and contributions to advancing global scholarship and collaboration.
The award, presented during the 2025 STAR Global Conference hosted by İstanbul Aydin University in Türkiye, celebrates individuals whose extraordinary service has been instrumental in building and strengthening the STAR Scholars Network’s global mission.
Dr. Khanna joins a distinguished group of international scholars from Spain, Argentina, the USA, and Türkiye who have exemplified the values of inclusivity, innovation, and academic excellence.
Dr. Khanna also presented a scholarly work titled ‘From Surviving to Thriving: Building Cultures of Wellness in Education’ at the conference held from October 8 to 14 2025 at Istanbul Aydin University.
Roundtable discussion on wellbeing
In the lead-up to World Mental Health Week, JIBS, represented by Prof. (Dr.) Pulkit Khanna and Dr. Shilpa Bandyopadhyay, participated in a Roundtable Discussion with faculty members from the Centre for Wellbeing Science (CWS), University of Melbourne, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi).
The discussion focused on shared areas of wellbeing research, wellbeing education, and opportunities for teacher professional development in the Indian context, setting the stage for meaningful academic collaborations across institutions.
World Mental Health Day celebrated
To mark World Mental Health Day 2025, the Centre for Community Mental Health (CCMH) at the JIBS brought together experts, practitioners, and students to explore how communities can become active partners in mental health care.
The day began with a panel discussion featuring Gaurav Sirohi (from Lissun), Diksha Gajria (Sangath India), and Adithya Kiron (JIBS), who highlighted the importance of accessible mental health ecosystems and the role of empathy, innovation, and awareness in shaping them.
The highlight of the day was the Future Forum, led by Dr. Jacqui Francis, Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, which delved into the theme ‘Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Science in Community’. Her talk emphasised how wellbeing science can be woven into community spaces to foster resilience and collective care.
The event also saw the release of the Mental Health Joy Kit – ‘Just Own Yourself’, designed to encourage self-reflection and emotional regulation through everyday practices.
The day was concluded by poster presentations and the awards ceremony.
CCMH commemorates Suicide Prevention Month
CCMH at JIBS hosted a special event for Suicide Prevention Month, designed to spark honest conversations and strengthen JGU community’s support network. Students engaged with the event: scanning surveys that will shape future mental health initiatives, filling the 'Good Vibes Board' with powerful messages of support, and exchanging affirmation cards. The photobooth added lightness and connection, reminding everyone that conversations about mental health can be approachable, even as we tackle difficult topics.
ADHD Awareness Month at JIBS
In celebration of ADHD Awareness Month, JIBS, in collaboration with the Office of Career Services, JGU, hosted a Campus Exposure Visit for Evoluer Solutions, Gurugram.
At the heart of the visit was a Lived Experience Sharing Session where participants spoke about their challenges, strengths and hopes. The day ended with a shared lunch, where participants and students continued conversations in a more informal setting.
Masterclass on ‘Writing to Reflect’
JIBS organised a masterclass titled ‘Writing to Reflect: Encountering Ourselves in Psychology’, conducted by Ms. Ritu Mudgal, RCI Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
The session, having active participation from Child Psychology students, delved deeper into the importance of positionality from the role of a researcher and therapist, emphasising how self-awareness and reflection moulds one’s engagement within the field of psychology.
CLC conducts Sports with Psychology Series
The Centre for Leadership and Change (CLC) at JIBS organised a series that blended psychology with another domain to explore leadership and human behaviour in action. The centre launched a fresh initiative called Sports with Psychology.
As part of this series, CLC hosted two impactful events:
- Treasure Hunt was an energetic, campus-wide challenge that combined movement, strategy, and teamwork to put leadership and decision-making skills to the test.
- A Guest Talk by Dr Nanaki J. Chadha, BPS Chartered Sports Psychologist, on ‘Psychological Safety and Leadership in Unlocking Team Potential’ explored how trust, empathy, and open communication build winning teams.
JIBS students visit Sangath
The students of M.Sc. Psychosocial Rehabilitation at JIBS visited Sangath India, a renowned non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being across India.
During the visit, students received an orientation at the Child Development Wing, where they learned about Sangath’s diverse programmes and initiatives that focus on developmental and psychosocial support for children and families. The visit highlighted Sangath’s meaningful contributions toward making mental health services more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable at the grassroots level.
JIBS students visit Forensic Science Laboratory
Students of MA/MSc Applied Psychology (Forensic & Investigative Psychology) at JIBS visited the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Government of NCT of Delhi, for an immersive learning experience.
From live demonstrations of Polygraph Tests, Brain Fingerprinting, and Layered Voice Analysis (LVA) to insights into Crime Scene Management and Narcoanalysis, the visit offered a rare glimpse into the scientific precision behind criminal investigations.
Online Session on Behavioural Designer’s Advantage’
CLC conducted an online session titled ‘The Behavioural Designer’s Advantage’ with Mr. Vineesh U S., a behavioural designer, transformation catalyst, and co-founder of First Principle Labs. With over 15 years of experience at Wipro, Mr. Vineesh shared how design, psychology, and first-principles thinking come together to solve real-world challenges.
The session encouraged participants to challenge assumptions, reframe problems, and design systems that put human behaviour at the core. The session offered a powerful reminder that play, purpose, and performance can coexist, and that true innovation begins when we see the world as it truly is.
JIBS students visit Anganwadi Centre
The first-year students of the M.Sc. in Psychosocial Rehabilitation programme of JIBS conducted an awareness campaign at the Anganwadi Centre in Dewru (Sonipat), focusing on postpartum blues and depression for perinatal women.
The session began with a talk circle where participants opened up about their experiences related to motherhood and mental health. Students led a “Myths and Facts” discussion to clarify common misconceptions about postpartum depression. The responses showed that while most participants knew that mood changes after childbirth are common, very few had heard the term postpartum blues or understood its symptoms.
The conversation helped bring awareness to an issue that often goes unnoticed in many communities. To make the information more accessible, the students shared a resource pamphlet, which was in Hindi, that explained the signs, causes, and available helplines for postpartum depression.
