Twin International Honours for Prof. Achyuta Samanta
In recognition of his lifelong work in education and social transformation, Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS, received two international honours on the same day.
Prof. Samanta was named ‘Leader of the Year’ at the 2026 CEEMAN Champions Awards during the 34th CEEMAN Annual Conference in Bucharest, Romania. He is the first Indian to receive this honour. With around 180 members from nearly 50 countries, CEEMAN recognises leadership that combines institutional excellence with relevance and social impact. A representative accepted the award on his behalf.
On the same day, FIDE—the International Chess Federation—conferred upon him the ‘Education Philanthropic Award’ at its Summit on Chess in Education in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Held alongside the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad and Congress, the summit had participants from more than 120 member countries. Mr. Dwiti Vikramaditya received the award on Prof. Samanta’s behalf.
An MoU was also signed between FIDE, KIIT and KISS to strengthen and expand Chess in Education initiatives at both institutions. The collaboration builds on the FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education, co-hosted by KIIT in January 2026, and the FIDE Preparation of Teachers programme conducted at KISS in August.
The entire KIIT, KISS and KIMS family congratulates Prof. Samanta on receiving these two international honours. Faculty members, staff, students and alumni have expressed their happiness and extended their warm wishes to the Founder on this special achievement.