15th Annual Convocation of KIIT | Youth of India can take the country to new heights: Shri Om Birla
“India enjoys demographic dividend and our young population is capable of taking the country to new heights”, Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha told the graduating students at the 15th Annual Convocation of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar on November 9, 2019. Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. degrees were awarded to 6578 students of 2018 – 19 graduating batch at the annual convocation, which was also graced by Dr. Surjya Narayana Patro, Hon’ble Speaker, Odisha Legislative Assembly; and Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) among other dignitaries.
Asserting that technology has become the main driver of change in the modern world, Shri Birla said that Indian informational technology professionals are in key positions and making key contributions for their companies and to the industry all over the world. “Development of new technology has become necessary for the progress and Indian youth with their education, skill and motivation can bring prosperity to the country”, he stated.
He thanked Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS for providing free education to 30,000 tribal children through Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). “On one hand KIIT is providing world-class higher education to the aspiring young generation, on the other hand KISS is empowering tribal children with education and skills. Prof. Samanta has dedicated his life for educating the underprivileged tribal children. He is also dedicatedly serving people as their representative in Lok Sabha. He is doing a commendable work towards national reconstruction”, Shri Birla said in his convocation address.
“I am happy to see that KIIT has students from all parts of the country and students are graduating in a wide range of disciplines. I am sure that they will continue to have the curiosity to gain new knowledge and serve the country”, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Surjya Narayana Patro asked students to create new knowledge and use their knowledge to make the life of coming generations better. “Global warming and environmental degradation are posing a threat to the very existence of humankind. I hope you will use your education to develop new technologies to tackle these challenges”, he told the graduating students.
Expressing best wishes to the students, Prof. Ved Prakash, Chancellor, KIIT Deemed to be University, in his presidential address, said, “KIIT has been chosen as an Institution of Eminence from amongst a pool of over 900 degree awarding institutions of higher learning in the country. Such recognition within a short span of about fifteen years is a creditable achievement”. He advised the students to hold the values symbolized by the Prof. Achyuta Samanta, which is an amalgamation of service, sacrifice, commitment, passion and love for the underprivileged.
Each constituent institute of the university is trying hard to establish itself as the best in the country, said Padma Shri Prof. S. K. Acharya, Pro Chancellor. KIMS, the university’s medical institution, has now been recognized as centre for postdoctoral fellowship leading to DM and Mch courses, he informed.
KIIT has received top national recognition for its technology incubation initiatives, informed Dr. Hrushikesha Mohanty, Vice Chancellor in his report. Its students Dutee Chand has made the country proud by winning Gold Medals in 100m and 200m in the World University Games 2019 in Italy, he added. Prof. Sasmita Samanta, Pro Vice Chancellor asked students to make it a lifelong practice to explore and reinvent oneself. Education is the best investment for building the generations. It leads to peaceful society, smart economics and value based human engagement, she said. Prof. J. R. Mohanty, Registrar proposed the vote of thanks.
Trisha Chatterjee (MBBS), Swagat Khatai, (M.Tech.) and Baidehi Ghosh (B.Tech. – CSc.) won Founder’s Gold Medals for their outstanding all round and academic performance. Similarly, 20 students were awarded Chancellor’s Gold Medal, while 23 students got Vice Chancellor’s Silver Medal. P.K. Bal Memorial Gold Medal, PPL Gold Medal and Nanibala Memorial Gold Medal were also given away on the occasion. Eighty-five research scholars were awarded Ph.D. degrees.