12thcon-vicechancellor

Presidential Address by Chancellor

Hon’ble Chancellor Prof. N. L. Mitra; Chief Guest Sir Richard Roberts, FRS, Nobel Laureate, Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, Chairman, Wockhardt Group, all the distinguished persons on the dais; Hon’ble members of the Board of Management and Academic Council; Founder of the KIIT University Dr. Achyuta Samanta; President of the KIIT & KISS Society- Smt. Saswati Bal; Secretary of the KIIT and KISS Society Shri R. N. Dash; Members of the Society of KIIT & KISS, Faculty members, officers, staff members, parents and guardians of the graduands, my dear graduands, distinguished invited guests, media persons, Ladies and gentlemen:

It is my great honor and privilege to welcome each one of you on behalf of the University and on my own behalf to this auspicious and solemn occasion of the 12th Convocation of the KIIT University. At the outset, I offer my heartiest congratulations to each one of the graduands who is present here and those who could not attend but will be getting degrees in absentia for their hard work; parents and guardians for the sacrifices made and the faculty members for spending their time in mentoring them to complete their studies successfully and timely. Special congratulations to all the Medal winners and their parents for their achievements. I also express my sincere appreciation to the staff of KIIT University for their assistance and to make the University a place of excellence and fine achievements. Today 4995 graduands will be awarded graduate and postgraduate degrees in various disciplines and 52 candidates will be awarded Ph.D. degrees.

I feel greatly honored to inform that Honoris Causa degree will be conferred upon Noble Laureate, Sir Richard J. Roberts, FRS and Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (1993) and Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, Chairman, Wockhardt Group. I congratulate and thank them for their acceptance. Sirs, your august presence has made this celebration and convocation ceremony very inspiring for our graduands and for every one of us in the KIIT University.

Ours is a very young but very vibrant University. We celebrated its 12th Foundation Day in the February last. I am extremely happy to report to you that in such a short span of time the University has got a very high visibility and has been recognized as an institution that is involved in a very high quality teaching and research in diverse fields. The University has been reaccredited by NAAC with grade ‘A’ and CGPA 3.48, which places the University among the top ranking Universities in the country. Our University is determined going for International Ranking by The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and BRICS ranking as well as Asian Ranking of Universities. The University has also received the NBA accreditation for its five engineering undergraduate programmes under Washington Accord. The University campus is home to around 25,000 students from different states of the country and abroad. The demand for various courses in the University is very high. In the current year 2,39,808 students appeared for the on-line Entrance Test conducted by the University in 126 centres at 56 locations across the country and abroad.

During this year a galaxy of top dignitaries, scientists, academicians and diplomats from India and abroad visited the University and shared their rich experiences. The list of such dignitaries is too large to be read here but to name a few: Professor Sir John E. Walker, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (1997), Prof. Ada E. Yonath, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2009), Johannes Georg Bednorz, Nobel Laureate in Physics (1987), Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, MSME, Government of India, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Hon’ble Union Minister of State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Government of India, Dr. Raghuram Rajan, Hon’ble Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Padmashree Jockin Arputham, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee & President, National Slum Dwellers Federation.

Last year has witnessed a greater focus on building research facilities augmented by funding from various national and international funding agencies. Many new labs have been added in various schools during this year. Resources have been generated by the faculty through sponsored research projects which have added value to their research and technology development. Faculty members of the University have actively involved themselves in consultancy projects from various industries. Currently 91 research and consultancy projects funded by various national and international funding agencies like UBS Promedica  Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland, Karolinska Institute, Sweden, DST, DBT, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences etc are ongoing with a total budget outlay of over Rs. 31 crores. I offer congratulations to the faculty members for getting these grants. Many students and faculty members have got benefited of exchange programmes such as Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus Plus. I am sure that the number of extramural projects will further increase during this year.

During the past one year, faculty members and research scholars of the University published around 700 research papers in peer reviewed journals and around 300 papers were presented in national and international seminars/ conferences. Over 600 of the research papers have been indexed in international databases like Scopus. The papers have been receiving good number of citations thereby pushing up the ‘h’ index to 27.

Several faculty members of the University received various national and international honors and recognition. To name a few, Prof. S. S. Ray, was awarded Neptune Award 2016 for creative excellence in design in Institutional and Commercial category,  Prof. A. Gadanayak, receieved the Neptune Award 2016 for creative excellence in field of Art; Prof. Swayam Prakash Mohanty won the Birla White Yuva Ratna Awards 2016, Prof. C. K. Panigrahi got the Best Teacher Award 2016 by Ever Green Forum; Dr. Sudhir Kumar Satapathy, Director, School of Public Health was awarded CUGH 2016 Velji Global Health Education Award.
The University organized more than 90 International and National eminars, conferences and workshops. To name a few: International Conference on Solar Energy & Smart Grid, International Conference on Communication, Circuits & Systems, International Conference on Computational Intelligence & Networks, National Conference of The Federation of Film Societies of India, JBS Haldane Lectures, National Symposium on Future of Public Health in India, International Conference on Translational Research.

During the past one year the University has signed 23 MoUs with various educational institutions, research labs and industrial establishments. Some of them being Murdoch University, Australia, NAHDA University, Beni Suef, Egypt, Daegu University of Foreign Studies, South Koreo, Martin Luther University, Halle Wittenberg, Germany, Mongolian National University, Mongolia, Istanbjul Sabahattin Zaim University, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey, Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS), Prague, Jan Amos Komensky University, Prague, West Kazakhstan Agrarian Technical University and Dongwon Institute of Sceince and Technology, South Korea. In addition, MoUs have also been signed with Renault Samsung Motors Co Ltd., Koreon Airtech College, National Innovation Foundation- India, Bionivid Technology Pvt Ltd., Power Research & Development Consultants Pvt Ltd., National Instruments Ltd, Preva Systems Pvt Ltd., Embassy of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Association of African Students in India etc.

It is with a feeling of great honor and pride I report to this august gathering that in recognition to the outstanding contribution towards the society and for providing free education to over 25000 underprivileged tribal children the Founder of KIIT University Dr. Achyuta Samanta was conferred various awards. He was awarded the Pride of India Award as well as NIQR Bajaj Outstanding Quality Man Award 2016. In addition, Dr. Samanta was also conferred several Honorary doctorates by various International Universities.

The University has increased its infrastructure facilities like lecture halls, laboratories, hostels, sports and recreational facilities, guest house etc. The students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities which run parallel to the academic programs.  New sport complexes have been constructed.  A building of around 11000 square feet has been added to the School of Electronics Engineering. NI Centre of Excellence and Intel Design Lab have been established. A super-specialty hospital building is under construction.

Academic initiatives have always been high in the priorities of the University. The University has introduced Tutor-Mentor System through which all the students are provided personalized counseling system to the students. The syllabi are continuously updated and new courses added. Academic Council and the Boards of Studies have representations from industry in addition to the academicians from top academic institutions. Industry-Academia interaction is very strong in this University. Industry based courses have been introduced in all the Schools of Engineering. Elective courses in collaboration with Ericsson India Global Services Pvt. Ltd. and Schneider Electric are being offered. Industry experts regularly visit campus for delivering lectures and as advisors and members in various committees of the University.

Our University is committed to make the students’ educational experience multifaceted and holistic. This commitment is very evident with world class sports facilities, holding sports meets, and encouraging and facilitating student participation in national and international level competitions. Events like Ranji Trophy, Vinoo Mankad Trophy, All India Shuttle Tournament, 36th National Team Chess Championship, 14th National Team Chess Championship for Women, All India Inter Zone University Tournament, BCCI ZCA U-19 East Zone Cricket Camp 2016, Sub-Junior Kho-Kho Championship And Federation Cup, 9th KIIT Chess Festival, 61st National School Rugby Tournament, etc. were organized.

It is my proud privilege to report that Dutee Chand represented India in Olympics 2016 in the women’s 100 metres event. Gita Bhuyan participated in National Senior Base Ball Championship 2016 and was awarded the 4th Position. Mandakini Majhi participated in India Kho-Kho Team for 12th SAF Game-2016 and was awarded Gold Medal.

Our students have participated in and received laurels in various competitions held across the country. Rajashee Ganguly received the Best student award by TCS for year 2016. Jury Appreciation Award at the Birla White Yuva Ratna Puraskar was received by Adyasha Mohanty and Sucheta B., Viseswaraya Prativa Puraskar 2016 by Ever Green Forum was received by Pratyasha Tripatry and Manisha Basu. Our students won the first prize at the Moot Court Competition organized at the University of Rajasthan.

It has been possible to enjoin academic vibrancy with moral values and social commitment. The process of creating such conditions is on in KIIT where every member of the university community is motivated to prioritize collective interests and progressively work towards creating efficient systems. Our faculty is shaping their knowledge and skills to become a repository of creative genius and our students an infinite reservoir of potential talent and innovation. We take pride in stepping into an enviable position of excellence and feel confident that within next few years the pool of diverse and inquisitive students, the devoted faculty, staff and the alumni would work collectively towards building this educational institution as a ‘World Class University’. An abiding faith in the progressive values nurtured by the university and self-belief would provide the right impetus to work collectively towards this goal.

The University takes its social responsibility very seriously and ensures that no qualified applicant is denied higher education for want of financial resources. We provide free education to students many of whom are tribal or hail from socially disadvantaged sections of the society. Free education is given not only to the students in social sciences but also to those in Engineering, Medicine, Law, Nursing, Biotechnology, and Management schools. The University has also instituted scholarships and fellowships for non-stipendiary M.Tech. and Ph.D. students. This is probably the only private university that has made so many efforts towards equity and provides this magnitude of financial support to its deserving students and research scholars

Development of technically sound, trained, industry-ready manpower is one of the primary goals of a predominantly technological University like ours and its success is reflected in the job placements. The overall placement for the undergraduate engineering students across various types of industries including some of the very high-end ones has been very impressive. The University is proud of placing it on record that it has achieved almost 100% placement of 2016 passing out batch in top industries in India and abroad.

Dear graduands and Medal Winners, I take this opportunity to congratulate you for successfully completing your courses from the KIIT University. I am quite confident that during your stay on the campus you have learned many things both in the class room and outside the class room that will be useful during your future life. I am sure that you will continue to work ethically and in a disciplined fashion and will bring glory to yourself, your family and in turn to the KIIT University as you will be a KIITian throughout your life. We are proud of you and I know you are proud of KIIT. I wish each one of you all the success.

I congratulate the parents and the students who have been part of this function and received their degrees and medals of appreciation for their achievements. I am sure the junior batch of students would have drawn inspiration from the success stories of their seniors. I am certain that this would provide them an impetus in developing the positive sides of their personalities and contribute to the desired growth and development of this institution. Before I conclude, I would call upon you, the recipients of degrees and distinction today, as you step out into the world, do not be content with the initial academic instruction that you have imbibed here. Always aim high and dream deep. All our dreams come true if we have courage to pursue them, if you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price of the things that are worthwhile. You can achieve everything you dream for. You must remember that success is not final and failure is not forever. May god bless you all.

Jai Hind

Vice Prof. P. P. Mathur
Chancellor, KIIT University