Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University (KISS-DU) organized a virtual meeting on 25th August 2020 to mark its 3rd Foundation Day. It was an occasion to ponder over the short but illustrious journey of the University so far. The meeting provided a platform to reflect on significant milestones so far and carve a road map for the future. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, who aptly terms education as the “third eye of a child” signifying the three visions of ‘Satt’, ‘Chit’ and ‘Anand’ (truth, conscience and happiness), expressed his best wishes to everyone in absentia. The entire fraternity assembled under a virtual canopy to mark the joyous occasion.
KISS-DU, since its inception in 2017, has been relentlessly working on empowering indigenous children through its six innovative Schools, which have been specially curated keeping in mind tribal languages and literature, social sciences, natural sciences and technology, tribal resource management, social sciences and administration and indigenous knowledge. It was quick to go digital in the present Covid-19 pandemic situation, ensuring the seamless running of teaching, learning and research activities of the University.
Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Harekrishna Satapathy, Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU said, “I am thankful to Dr. Achyuta Samanta, entire collective of KIIT and of course my extended family at KISS for being pillars of success and support for the 360-degree growth and development of KISS”. He said that the University is working in sync with the vision and mission of the Founder, promoting compassion and humanity. Documentation, preserving and revitalization of tribal languages, knowledge, and Indology was entrusted upon us and as far as I know we have put in efforts in doing justice to the duties and responsibilities, Prof. Satapathy remarked.
Earlier, Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray welcomed the entire KISS-DU family members. All the faculty members proposed ideas, hence contributing to the future roadmap of the University. Some of the proposals included generating e-materials, holding Foundation Day lectures every year on this day, starting of gender lab and central lab facility (Science), starting of indigenous medicinal plant garden, opening a separate social media page for cultural activities of the University. In addition to the proposals, faculty members hailing from all the three streams shared their experiences of serving this pristine University and reflected on their journey so far.
The Associate Deans addressed the gathering and congratulated all the members for being a part of this arduous journey and requested the support and cooperation of one and all as it is time to tighten the belt and take KISS-DU to greater heights by focussing on academics and research. Prof. Jugal Kishore Mishra, Chair Professor expressed his profound gratitude to the members of the University for their exemplary teaching and research work.
The meeting concluded with the spirit of “Together We Can, and We Will”.