The times left behind and the ones that followed, in 2021, were a mixed bag of fortunes that went through tremendous fluctuations. The year 2021 began with a sigh of relief after facing an unprecedented crisis in the previous year, which had affected and impaired all forms of life and livelihood. But a few months into it, the time that descended was more devastating a wave that engulfed us in a way that we saw COVID-19 very closely. All of us witnessed the loss of some and felt proud of some of those who fought but did not succumb. But amid the darkness, there were glimmers of euphoria and that of the academics. An academic year that ushered in uncertainty and unpredictability and the disease grew more menacing and rolling out of vaccination.
Sparks In the Gloom
Amid COVID-19, a natural calamity, Yash worsened the levels of poverty due to lockdown and mental stress, yet the batch of 2021 fared well all with their perseverance and resilience. KIIT Deemed to be University, which is well known for its student-friendliness, compassion and humanitarianism, stood by its students like a rock and anchored them to success in such testing times.
Climbing On Rankings
KIIT has earned what it deserved. KIIT has earned global acclaim and reputation in a very short period of time – ranked 30th among Indian universities (overall) by the London based Times Higher Education, Asia University Rankings 2021 and 15th Rank in the General Engineering in the country, retaining its position among top institutions in India.
The list of the leaps it took is long and today KIIT is among a handful of Indian universities to enter the Asia University Rankings 2021 of Times Higher Education ranking and the only Deemed to be University from Odisha to make it to the enviable list.
KIIT was ranked at 251-300 in THE World University Rankings- 2021. It is the first Indian University to achieve a “Five Stars Rating” from the prestigious QS Star Ranking System. More significantly, KIIT has acquired an impressive rank in the band 201-300 in the overall impact ranking by THE Impact Rankings for its impact and efforts at sustainable development – Education, Alleviation of Poverty, Accelerating Peace, Gender Equity and fostering partnerships.
Outreaching Beyond Human
Notably, even during the pandemic, it did not lose sight of its mission of charity and humanitarianism, and has taken a series of initiatives right from the outbreak of the disease and has been at the forefront of Odisha’s war against the coronavirus. In one of the most significant measures in Odisha’s war against COVID-19, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), a constituent of KIIT Deemed to be University, set up four ultramodern dedicated COVID hospitals with over 2000 beds with the support of the Odisha government, in Bhubaneswar and in three tribal-dominated districts of Odisha.
The interventions which were model and philanthropic, included the distribution of food materials and other essentials to over 3 lakh pandemic-hit people, including the marginalized people living in various slums, stranded migrant labourers.
KIIT also made an outstanding outreach to thousands of animals scattered over the city providing them food during the pandemic as all eateries were closed and tourist spots were bereft of human presence leaving the huge stock of animals habiting there in a doll-drum. Community outreach activities of KIIT & Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) strived to reach the hardest-hit and commonly overlooked people – transgender, sportspersons, physically challenged and sex workers.
Path-breaking Initiative of KISS
KIIT has been funding KISS that has been sending study materials, dresses and a generous amount of dry foods at the doorsteps every month for the last one and a half years. In a one-of-its-kind gesture, KIIT has been providing free education to the children of the COVID deceased in Odisha. The facility will be available for two academic years: 2020-21 and 2021-22.
That should be seen as an exemplary gesture from the KIIT family and in addition, to the magnanimity, the KIIT & KISS have adopted and are taking care of about 100 such orphans and providing them monthly allowance ranging from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10000, depending upon the family size. As and when the academic institutions reopen, they will be provided with free education and subsequently complete higher education in KIIT & KISS.
Stand-out Positioning
In a stand-out positioning, we are also the only educational institutions in India to provide Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakhs) as a token of assistance to the family of employees (who has succumbed to Covid-19) in order to alleviate his/her hardships to a little extent. We believe that no amount of money can compensate for the loss, but this amount can give temporary relief.
Besides, one eligible person from his/her family will be employed suitably in KIIT, KISS or KIMS depending upon his/her educational qualification. KIIT will provide free education to the eligible children of their families in KIIT. KIIT has a multidimensional reach and impact.
A Look through Window of Erudition
KIIT has immense contribution to Education, Healthcare, Sustainable Development, Literature and Culture, and more specifically Sports. KIIT Deemed to be University is the only varsity in India to have three of its students, (separate events) Dutee Chand, Shivpal Singh and C A Bhavani Devi represent in the same Olympics – Tokyo Olympics in 100m & 200m sprint, Javelin (Athletics) and Fencing (Sabre) events respectively. KIIT and KISS have produced over 5000 sportspersons playing at different zonal, state and international levels.
KIIT A Global Village
KIIT Deemed to be University stands out as it is a student and parent-friendly University. A humongous number, 30000 Students from all over India and 65 countries study here and find a home in the University, which is a melting pot of culture.
Record Placements
KIIT is known for its excellent track record of placements since its inception. We have been able to achieve excellent placements for the 2019-20 batch despite the pandemic being at its peak. Keeping up with our past trend, KIIT is on its way to achieving record placement for the 2021 graduating batch due to the dedicated efforts of our training and placement department.
Our students have bagged 2500 single offers, 4000 multiple offers with the highest CTC of 30 Lakhs and an average of 6 lakhs. Even the School of Management has broken its previous records of placement. It wasn’t an easy task to accomplish given the circumstances – trimming company sizes and lay-offs.
Besides Studies
We value research as a potent form of learning. Besides in house publications by various schools, the researchers and faculty members of various schools regularly publish their research papers in reputed journals, authored books, got research projects and fellowships to research abroad and on joint projects. Currently, about 100 research and consultancy projects are funded by various national and international funding agencies.
Beyond The Normal
KIIT is the only University in India to have 22 Nobel laureates visiting campus and addressing the students. Over hundreds of collaborations made with universities far and wide across the globe have been facilitating student and faculty exchanges, research collaborations and membership in international associations for cooperation in raising standards of education around the globe and global visibility with an aim to make KIIT globally acclaimed Centre of Excellence in education, embracing Internationalization of Education.
The students and staff have worked relentlessly to help reach KIIT at the position it is today. We hope that this pandemic subsides soon and our students come back to the campus.
Meanwhile, we are recalibrating our campus to be prepared to welcome our students with all safety precautions and protocols in mind. For the batch graduating in 2021, it has been really disappointing that they could not come to the campus. We have tried to provide the most personal touch through the use of technology and augmented reality this Convocation.
The 17th Convocation of KIIT Deemed to be University was graced by Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn, Noble Prize in Chemistry (1987), France, who delivered the Convocation lecture. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan presided as the Chief Guest. It was a matter of great pride that Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) gave her consent to receive Honorary Doctorate of Letters (D.Litt. Honoris Causa). Vallabh Bhanshali, founder of ENAM group and Desh Apnayen Sahayog Foundation and founder-director, FLAME University, was also be conferred with Honoris Cause degree.
To the Class of 2021, I completely understand that the last thing that you want to hear right now is ‘Stay Home’. But still, one can be close to home and near and dear ones, not physically but emotionally. I urge everyone to pursue every ambition and dream and embrace the responsibility to build this community – your priority. I reiterate that remember one thing – you are and will always be kings and queens, like your hostels say, Kings Palace and Queens Castle. Go kiss the world.
(This has been written by KIIT-KISS founder Achyuta Samanta to mark the 17th convocation of KIIT. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent those of the website)