Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT

Kalinga to Open Campuses for Poor Students in Telangana and Andhra

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), the largest residential institute for tribals in the world, will open its campuses in the Telugu States soon. In collaboration with the state governments, the KISS is aiming at providing free education to children belonging to the under-privileged sections of society in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States.

Speaking at a press meet here on Sunday, Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the KISS said, “Soon, I will meet the Chief Ministers of AP and Telangana to seek support from the governments for our new campuses in both the States.”

Based in Bhubaneswar, the KISS has only one campus outside Odisha. After successfully opening its second campus in New Delhi, KISS is in the process of spreading its wings across the country to promote its education model. However, there are no plans to expand the KIIT.

“The KISS was started with an intention to provide free education to the poorest of the poor,” said Dr  Acyuta Samanta. Currently, the institute provides free education to 25,000 tribal students in Odisha. The institute is also providing free accommodation, food and books to these students on the campus. KISS has already earned reputation across the globe for its services in the education field, he said.

Samanta is planning to open similar campuses across the country and in all districts of Odisha. Impressed by the functioning of the institute, some of the states like Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have already invited Samanta to expand the services of KISS to their states. However, he decided to start with the Telugu States, where he plans to admit 1,000 students in first batch from class I to XII.

“We will invest `15 crore towards providing infrastructure and are expecting government support for rest of the funds,” he said. If all permits are given, the institute will start functioning within six months, he assured.

Talking about the reason for setting up KISS, Achyuta

Samanta, said: “Still thousands of students don’t have access to basic education. Our intention is to educate the children belonging to the backward sections of society and achieve the United Nation’s goal of development through education.”

Human Chain on World Human Rights Day

To mark the International Human Rights Day on December 10, the KISS is planning to form the world’s longest human chain with its 25,000 students in Bhubaneshwar. With 32 kilometres of length, it would enter the Guinness Book record, said Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder of KISS. It will also be the longest human chain formed by the tribal children, he added.

KISS-Bhubaneswar in the Itinerary of IAS Probationers’ Bharat Darshan

 Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has been included in the itinerary of winter study tour-cum-Bharat Darshan of Lal Bahadur Sashtri National Academy of Administration’s (LBSNAA) annual training programme for IAS probationers. It is an important component of the Phase-1 training programme for IAS probationers.

KISS has been included from the current year. Henceforth, IAS probationers will come on a visit to KISS every year to get first-hand knowledge on various activities of the institute. During Bharat Darshan, small groups of IAS probationers, as a part of their training in LBSNAA, involve themselves in various organizations and establishments of central and state government as well as civil society organizations (NGO). They also get a chance to visit rural areas to receive a systematic exposure to the work being done by the civil society organizations.

A group of IAS probationers will come on a three-day visit to KISS in the current year to learn how this largest free residential institution in the world for tribals functions in a systematic manner. They will also get a chance to receive first-hand knowledge about KISS, which s taking care of more than 25000 tribal children in one campus. One nodal officer has been selected to coordinate this programme.

It may be mentioned that, in 2014, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS was invited by Lal Bahadur Sashtri National Academy of Administration to deliver lecture to IAS probationers on poverty eradication, rural development and UN’s Millennium Development Goals. The authority of academy, inspired by Dr. Samanta’s work, decided to include KISS in its annual training programme.

ICSE, ISC Principals’ annual meet in Odisha city from today

A three-day annual general meeting of the Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificates (ASISC) will begin at the KIIT Convention Centre here from today.

The 58th annual conference of the ASISC comprising member Principals of ICSE and ISC schools affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi will have a theme for discussion on ‘Education in a Changing World’.

Governor SC Jamir is scheduled to attend the event as chief guest while Chairman of the CISCE Chairman Dr G Immanuel will address the delegates on the occasion. KIIT Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta will also be present among other dignitaries. More than 1,200 Principals and eminent educationists will participate in the meet.

The conference is aimed at enlightening and encouraging the member school Principals to bring excellence in their job as leaders of their schools. 

KISS Humanitarian Award Presented to Former President of Peru

The prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 was presented to His Excellency Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru, at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar on October 22, 2015. Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, and Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, presented the award in the august presence of Madam Eliane Karp-Toledo, His Excellency Mr. J. J. Guillermo Betancourt Rivera, Ambassador of Peru to India, Mr. Carlos Jimenez Gil-Fortoul, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Peru in India and Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS.

The award citation recognized him as an "icon of hope and aspirations of millions of poverty stricken and indigenous aborigine people around the world". Dr. Toledo was the first South American President of indigenous descent to be democratically elected when he became President of Peru in 2001. During his five-year term, his central aim was the fight against poverty through investment in healthcare and education. As a result of social policies directed to the poorest of the poor, extreme poverty was reduced by 25 per cent in five years, and employment rose at an average rate of 6 per cent during his term.

He grew up in extreme poverty in a family of 16 siblings. However, he worked his way up against all odds, obtained higher education from top universities of the U.S. and went on to be elected the President of Peru. Education is the most effective weapon to slay poverty and inequality, Dr. Toledo said in his acceptance address. Speaking to 25,000 tribal boys and girls of KISS, he said, "I invite you to dream in order to be successful, but dream with your eyes open. Don't get truncated by the impossibility of your dreams. We have a lot of things in common."

"Dr.  Achyuta Samanta is changing the lives of millions of people. We give you tribute. I was born in a poor family in the high mountains of Andes of Peru. I grew up in extreme poverty. Seven out of 16 of my siblings died within the first year of birth. They died as they didn't have access to health care, nutrition and sanitation, and the visionary Dr. Samanta. We didn't have Dr. Samanta in my country and my continent," the Former President of Peru stated.

Recounting the story of his life, he said his father decided to migrate from the mountains to the seaport when he was four-and-half-years old. "I am of short stature due to malnourishment, but I could save my mind. From shining shoes and selling newspapers to supplement the daily income, we share the same background. The challenge is the same, even though the language and religion are different. You are lucky to be at KISS," he told the students.

It is an emotional and happy experience to be amongst 25,000 indigenous children, said Madam Toledo, adding that it is a great learning as Peru also has a sizeable indigenous population. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rivera stated, "Dr. Toledo's life gives the message that one can achieve any success by studying hard and being gentle to others. This award is recognition to an extraordinary life who is committed to work for the poorest for the poor."

In her presidential address, Smt. Bal said, "Presenting KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 to Dr. Toledo was a great honour for the institute. His words will be a source of great inspiration for the students of the institute."

Welcoming the former President of Peru and the visiting dignitaries, Dr. Samanta said, "The recipient is a beacon of light to the aborigines of South America and his concern for the common man and indigenous people is well known all over the world."

About KISS Humanitarian Award 

The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar in 2008 to honour and recognize individuals with exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. The award is presented annually and its recipient is chosen by a high-level jury. KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo is the eighth KISS Humanitarian Laureate. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are: Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Former Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office (2014); Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, FXB International, Switzerland (2013); His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon'ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt. Hon. Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker & His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Eminent Educationist & Physician and Hon'ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Noted Social Worker & Hon'ble Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).

About Dr. Achyuta Samanta:

Dr. Achyuta Samanta is the founder of globally visible KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences), a one-of-its-kind home for 25,000 poorest-of-the-poor indigenous aborigines, which provides free accommodation, food, healthcare and education from kindergarten to post-graduation (KG to PG) with vocational training. Dr. Samanta has been honoured with numerous national and international recognitions for his noble work, including Gusi Peace Prize International in 2014 and Isa Award for Service to Humanity. He is the Founder and propagator of 'Art of Giving' (philosophy of life), a concept aimed at bringing peace to human mind around the globe.

KiiT International School Ranks No 1 in East India

KiiT International Declared East India's No 1 International Day Boarding School

KiiT International School has been ranked 1st in East India and 9th in the country in a survey of India's Top Rank International Day-cum-Boarding School by the prestigious Education World magazine, report of which has been published in its latest edition.
   
The survey was conducted by Education World (EW) through C-Fore representatives for over four months all over the country. It evaluated the schools on the basis of 12 parameters, including teacher welfare and development, academic reputation, sports education, individual attention to students, parental involvement, internationalism and community service.

EW International Day-cum-Boarding School Rankings 2015 comprises of 23 schools affiliated with foreign examination boards. Though KiiT International School is a young school, established only eight years ago, its academic environment, excellent teaching-learning process, experienced and skilled faculty and personal attention to each and every student earned it 9th rank in the country.
Apart from these, KiiT International School students have achieved commendable success in various national and international entrance examinations and got academic placement in various reputed international institutions like University of British Colombia, Cambridge University, London and reputed national institutions like IIM, IIT, NLUs, DU, etc.

Expressing pleasure over the achievement, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder KIIT & KISS said excellent teaching-learning process, dedication and involvement of teachers and continuous effort of students brought this laurel to the school. He thanked Dr. Mona Lisa Bal, Chairperson; Mr. Sanjay Suar, Principal; all faculty members, staff and students for this achievement.
Indus International School, Bangalore was ranked first, followed by Pathways World School, Aravali Gurgaon and Indus International School, Pune, among others.

About KiiT International School

KiiT International School is a member of KIIT educational conglomerate, which adds an international dimension to the institute's record of excellence service in the cause of education. KiiT International School is led by engaging minds, who are transforming lives and serving others with compassion and empathy to scale the summit of education as a premier international school.
The school not only has world-class infrastructure, but offers CBSE as the national and the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme as the international curriculum from KG to class XII. It also offers full boarding along with day boarding facilities with its focus on innovative and practical learning approach.

KIIT & KISS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta Meets UN Officials

Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS met with United Nations (UN) Officials in New York during his recent visit to US. It is his first meeting with UN official after KISS getting special Status by UN.  During this meeting Dr. Samanta discusses various issues including eradication of poverty through quality education with UN Officials. On the side line of this meeting five permanent passes were issued by UN to representatives of KISS to attend various UN Programmers.

 He also discussed with Head, UN Indigenous and Head, UNFPA on the above issue. Besides this Dr. Samanta also joined a dinner hosted by Indian consulate at New York. It was attended by internationally repute Odia designer Bibhu Mohapatra, senior diplomats, representatives from Indian permanent mission to United Nations, artists and Senior UN officials. On this occasion many prominent NRI Odias including Bibhu Mohapatra were happy to get Dr. Samanta.

 Expressing their happiness over the UN Special Status to KISS, they feel proud as Odia people, they said. Dr. Achyuta Samanta also discussed about KISS model with Senator Timothy J. Roemer and also discussed about hunger issues with CEO of feeding America in Washington. 

Dr. Achyuta Samanta delivered a talk at the St. Cloud University which is 150 years old and felicitated by the public of Minneapolis which was attended by more than 200 elite groups including the Mayor of St. Cloud. He had discussion with different indigenous issues with the heads of American Indians. During his visit KIIT inked MoUs with three American Universities.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta Founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology

Dr. Achyuta Samanta Founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology

KIIT-KISS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta receives top Civilian Award of Mongolia

In recognition to his outstanding contribution in the field of education, social work and in appreciation to his relentless effort to create an equitable world sans poverty and ignorance, the Republic of Mongolia has conferred the highest Civilian Award “BEST WORKER’ on Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder KIIT and KISS in a ceremony organized in Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia on 1st September 2015. Dr. Satyendra Patnaik, Rector, KIIT University, received the award on behalf of Dr. Achyuta Samanta

. Unlike other countries, persons of high social standing, institutions of national importance and non-governmental organisations with national and international recognition propose the names of individuals, organisations working for the society in diverse fields, to the concerned Ministries to consider conferring “BEST WORKER” Award. After scrutiny, the concerned Ministries send the names of the selected nominee to the Parliament which decides on it, through rigorous process.  Once the Parliament ratifies the proposal, it goes for Presidential ascent.  Only after the President puts his seal of approval, the nominee is declared as “BEST WORKER” in the field. Dr. Achyuta  Samanta has been declared as “BEST WORKER” by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Ministry of Labour. “BEST WORKER” is incidentally, the highest Civilian Award any person of foreign origin could get. Samanta has become the first Odia to receive this coveted award being chosen by two separate Ministries of the Government of Mongolia. The Awards contain citations and gold medals. Since Dr. Achyuta Samanta’s name was proposed by Hangai University and Prof. Dr. Timur Ochir, former Speaker and a former Education Minister, Hangai organized a function to congratulate Dr. Samanta. Besides Dr. Saman - 

Dr. Achuyta Samanta - Welcoming Mr. Nick Avery, the former Chairman

Dr. Achuyta Samanta - Welcoming Mr. Nick Avery, the former Chairman of Touraid and his daughters along with Mr. Paul Walsh( Sports Television Pundit and a former professional Footballer) to KISS & KIIT.

Achyuta Samanta Receives Top Civilian Honour of Bahrain

Achyuta Samanta, noted social activist and reformer from India, was honored with ‘Isa Award for Service to Humanity’, a top civilian award of the Kingdom of Bahrain, on June 3 2015.

Vocational Education Institute build your Career not only Degree by Achyuta Samanta

Dr. Achyuta Samanta - Over the years, the trend of education has been taking a new way at every step which also has triggered rise universities. These universities are set up with several courses but  this scenario is evident to add confusion in the student’s mind like which course they should go for, which university they should attend and after completing a particular course that would really be useful for their career or not. These kinds of questions really make them confused and they, actually, forget what they want to do.

Nowadays, education is concerned as the roads towards employment and courses are run on the concept of getting an employment. Well, with these changed scenarios, everyone wants to apply for a course or study which has evolved over the years and now the favorite of industry people too.  Vocational training institute play as a multi-dimensional concept which insisits students to a get a job immediately.

Actual Concept and Requirement of Training

While considering over the concept, it’s nothing wrong that these institutes are like an option of self employment, such as everybody has the knowledge about something or other although, they may not be perfect in that area. But if he, at least, has some knowledge or has already used that with work, then only all that is required to improve his skills to go walk into any office and ask for a future oriented job. Yes, having this fundamental idea it has been the biggest advantage to both students as well as companies.

For students: After getting the placement in the companies, through these training oriented courses, students are actually trained to combat crisis in future. They learn how to overcome from the challenges which would be faced by them after completing their courses and then also understand to handle the whole concept of working.

For company: On the other side, because new students have just finished their studies, and would already be trained, so companies save big time and money imparting trainings and start treating them as their precious assets.

Apart from these advantages, these institutes also provide internship to the students during their course which helps to ensure them about their job placement in the company.

AchyutaSamanta is a popular name in the field of education and entrepreneurship. Achyuta Samanta is the founder of KIIT and KIIS joined with other reputed institutions in India associated with KIIT Groups.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta at the colloquium of the Kalinga TV

At the colloquium of the Kalinga TV and sharing the dais with Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, His Excellency Maxwell Ranga, Shri Pradip kumar Amat, shri G. C. Pati and Mr. Annurag Batra and Dr Achyuta Samanta.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta - International Students Gathering in KIIT on 28th March 2015

With Dr. S. Priyabadini, Director, Student Services, Dr.Achyuta Samanta, Registrar, KIIT, Dr. S. Nariman, Prof P.P. Mathur, VC, KIITU & Dr. S. Patnaik, Rector, KIIT at the International Students Gathering in KIIT on 28th March 2015.

CSI Fellowship Award to Achyuta Samanta KISS

Achyuta Samanta - KIIT & KISS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta was conferred Honorary Fellowship Award by Computer Society of India (CSI) in Hyderabad. It is among the highest national-level awards of the Society, instituted in the year 1979, with an intention to honour distinguished personalities who have served the society with dedication, devotion and faith or those who have excelled in fields related to the society. The award recognizes Dr. Samanta’s contribution in making a difference to the society through education.

 It was conferred upon Dr. Achyuta Samanta in presence of Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon'ble Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Hon'ble Union Minister of State (Ind.) for Labour and Employment, Shri K. Taraka Rama Rao, Hon’ble Minister of Panchayatiraj and IT, Govt. of Telengana and many other dignitaries.

Earlier, recipients of this prestigious award include eminent personalities like, Mr. Ratan Tata in 1993, Prof. Yash Pal in 1994 and Mr. Chandrababu Naidu in 1998.

More Details - Achyuta Samanta KISS & KIIT Founder

Dr. Achyuta Samanta - The grand annual parents meet at KISS

Like other years, this year the annual parents meet was organised in KISS Campus. In this meet this year around 50,000 parents of students of KISS have participated. Besides the 30 districts of Odisha the parents from Jharkhand, Assam, Chattisgarh and West Bengal have come to participate in this parents meet. After the meet ,all the parents were served with lunch.

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Achyuta Samanta - African Missions Meeting in New Delhi

"Prof. Achyuta Samanta, making a presentation on KISS before a gathering of Ambassadors of African Countries in the Head of African Missions Meeting in New Delhi on 12.02.2015, KISS model for poverty eradication was highly appreciated as an ideal initiative to emulate by the African countries for poverty eradication."

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Achyuta Samanta is the founder of KIIT & KISS - Profile

Achyuta Samanta, the founder of the KISS & KIIT group of institute which combined many autonomous other institutions, is the most popular social entrepreneur, a philanthropist of the art of giving and a man of letters. With a dynamic attitude, he has provided his extraordinary services through various positions for student or on a social level also.

He was born (20 January, 1965) with the burden of poverty in one of the most backward state Kalarabanka, Cuttack, Odisha but kept continuing  to accept life as it is after losing his father’s shelter, he was the alumnus from Utkal University with M.Sc in Chemistry without leaving his dreams. With his comprehensive, he lightened to students for a decade in Maharishi College, Utkal University.

Achyuta Samanta, having a humble and knowledgeable nature, is founder and Ex chancellor of the KIIT group of institute having top rank 15 in India, which is associated with many other institutions providing many basic to advanced studies in India KIIT, KISS, KIMS, KSOM, KSRM, KSCA, KSBT, KLS, KSOL, KIDS and Kalinga Polytechnic as well as secretary of the Gandhi Global Family. He has been the vice president of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Odisha and General member of Council for Advancement People’s Action & Rural Technology (CAPART), with his busy bee frame of mind, he fulfilled his duties as a member of UGC and many international educational associations also.

As a pioneer in the field of social entrepreneurship and education, he is awarded a bunch of national or international award like, Jawaharlal Nehru Award, Honorary Fellowship Award by CSI, CIS Award from Moscow, Russia, honorary Doctorates of Letter from Chosun University, South Korea, Gusi Peace Prize International, Manila, Philippines. With his legendary contribution in education and entrepreneurship, he wrote his name with golden letters in history with Think India award in 2013 and recently selected as CIFEJ board member. His admirable journey makes his story as “Domestic help boy' next door to a 'Gusi Laureate”.

More Details: - Achyuta Samanta KIIT