Why mentoring students in higher education is important

All higher educational institutions (HEIs) in India mandate that faculty should counsel students and help them navigate both their academic and non-academic lives. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Behind every successful individual is a mentor. Homer’s Odyssey refers to Odysseus’ close friend Mentor, who guided the former’s son during his father’s long absence. Socrates mentored Plato, who tutored Aristotle. In the Indian tradition, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa mentored Swami Vivekananda and Chanakya was Chandragupta Maurya’s mentor. In modern times, Maya Angelou mentored Oprah Winfrey, and Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan and Brahm Prakash mentored A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.All human beings need mentors. We look for someone who will show us the way forward, listen to our success stories, worries and anxieties with empathy and be a moral compass in our lives. While higher educational institutions (HEIs) in India mandate that faculty should counsel students and help them navigate their academic and non-academic lives, unfortunately, mentoring has become a ritual where the faculty meet their wards only for the sake of records meant for accrediting agencies.Skills for a mentorWhat skills should a mentor possess? First is empathy. A mentor should be try to see the world from the student’s perspective. Another aspect is the ability to assess the student, especially in terms of aptitude and talent, so that they can be helped to make informed decisions for their future. A commitment of time and energy to help the student develop and mature is essential.Next comes the ability to counsel young adults and help them come to terms with themselves and face the world confidently. This may also involve dealing with mental health issues and the mentor should, if needed, refer the students to professional counsellors. Mentoring does not end when the student leaves the institution. It involves establishing long-lasting ties. Finally, establishing clear professional and personal boundaries is crucial to ensure that there is no misunderstanding.Problem areasBut there are some challenges to be addressed. In Indian higher education, most teachers have domain-specific knowledge and competence but not the training to be a successful mentor. Professional help will enable the faculty to deal competently with serious issues, especially psycho-social ones.Since it may not be possible to train all the teachers, HEIs can identify specific people in each department to undergo training and they can then pass on their knowledge to their colleagues.Another issue is that mentoring in many colleges and universities is confined to academic guidance. There are two major reasons for this: the teacher is not a trained counsellor and may not have the time and competence to go beyond academics, as they are dealing with an already crammed schedule.Given the large size of the classes, it may not be possible for teachers to schedule regular and formal sessions with their students. But the faculty should walk the extra mile to help those who need their guidance.Mentoring should not be reduced to a mere ritual or cerebral exercise. A mentor continually monitors and handholds the students and helps them blossom into happy and responsible adults who will strive to establish a just world. Colleges and universities desperately need qualified and competent mentors who will assist students.The writer is Emeritus Professor, School of English and Foreign Languages, Gandhigram Rural Institute Deemed-to-be University. Published - July 18, 2026 03:55 pm IST