Art of Staying Relevant Vital in the Present Age: Mr. Amitabh Ray
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed to be University celebrated its 16th Foundation Day on February 16, 2019. Mr. Amitabh Ray, Managing Director, Ericsson Global Services, India delivered the Foundation Day Lecture in the presence of a host of dignitaries.
On the occasion, Mr. Ray was also presented with the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa). The award was conferred upon him for “his charismatic personality, leadership quality, quest for solutions and opportunities, creating an environment for people to open up and share their knowledge at the same time feeling valued and fulfilled”.
“It is incredible that about 57,000 students are studying in KIIT and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). The two institutions are playing an important role in the fields of education and bringing about social transformation in the country”, stated Mr. Ray. He congratulated Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS for lifting thousands of underprivileged children out of poverty through holistic education in KISS.
Established in 1992 and opened five years later as a multi-disciplinary institute, KIIT’s commitment to teaching excellence led to the grant of Deemed to be University status under Section 3 of UGC Act, 1956 by the Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India on February 16, 2004. In 2015, the Ministry accorded it ‘A’ category university status. Maintaining a tradition of excellence, KIIT has been getting ‘A’ Grade from NAAC, the country’s top accreditation body for higher education institutions, for three times in a row and ‘Tier 1’ (Washington Accord) from NBA.
In a major boost to the brand value of KIIT globally, B.Tech programmes have got the coveted Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK accreditation. Despite being relatively young (22 years as an institute and 15 years as a university), KIIT has entered The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019 and QS BRICS World University Rankings. It is the first self-financing Deemed to be University in Odisha and eastern India to enter into these prestigious global rankings.
Delivering the 16th Foundation Day Lecture, Mr. Ray said that Ericsson is proud to have collaboration with KIIT for the last seven years and it has been becoming stronger and wider due to commitment of the two organizations. Mr. Ray, who started his career as a Developer 30 years back and rapidly climbed the corporate ladder to become MD of Ericsson Global Services, India, credited “art of staying relevant and putting context to things” as simple secrets of his success.
“Speed of change the human race is going through today is increasing exponentially. In next 20 years, the world will change as much as it had changed in last 1000 years. This change will primarily be driven by technological changes. The world we are living in is witnessing an increasing velocity of technological changes. In this milieu, the art of staying relevant has become the most important”, he elaborated.
“Velocity of transformation has made unpredictability a new normal. In the present time, corporate decision making also involves dealing with paradoxes – paradoxes between short-term profits and long term goals, between growth and environment and so on. Students should be prepared to go through the cycles of learning, unlearning and re-learning”, he told a packed auditorium. He advised students to be a good ambassador of this great institution.
Foundation Day is an occasion to introspect what has worked for the university and what has not as well as to set goals for the future. In order to remain at the forefront, universities have to create research ecosystem on the campus”, stated Prof. Ved Prakash, Chancellor, KIIT Deemed to be University. Contributions of Mr. Amitabh Ray in academics and industry are exemplary, said Prof. Hrushikesha Mohanty Vice Chancellor. In his report, he outlined good work being done by KIIT in nurturing start-ups, skilling India, sports and social outreach. Prof. Sasmita Samanta, Registrar also spoke on the occasion and congratulated staff and students on this auspicious occasion.