Historic First: CUNY In USA Establishes 'Achyuta Samanta India Initiative' Research Institute
Dr Samanta also bestowed with the Presidential Medal by the Varsity in New York
BHUBANESHWAR, India, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ground-breaking development that marks a proud moment for India, especially for Odisha, a premier research institute at the City University of New York (CUNY) has been named after renowned educationist and social reformer Dr. Achyuta Samanta (Founder of KIIT and KISS). The newly established 'Achyuta Samanta India Initiative CUNY Crest Institute' (ASIICCI) was inaugurated on Tuesday in the presence of distinguished academics and dignitaries from across the United States.
This historic move is the first time a research centre in the United States has been named after an Indian, making it a moment of immense pride not only for Dr. Samanta but also for the people of Odisha and the global KIIT and KISS community. The newly established institute will provide American students with opportunities to research on Odisha's rich art and heritage. It will also focus on Dr. Samanta's contribution to the socio-economic development of tribal communities and his achievements in the field of education.
Adding to this prestigious recognition, Dr. Samanta was conferred the highest honour of CUNY — the Presidential Medal — during the event. Reserved for individuals of exceptional global impact, the medal acknowledges Dr. Samanta's transformative contributions to education, tribal upliftment, and humanitarian service. His grassroots work through KIIT and KISS has positively impacted over 80,000 tribal children, offering them quality education, dignity, and opportunity.
The idea for the research institute originated during the recent visit of Dr. Milton Santiago, President of Bronx Community College under CUNY, to KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar. Deeply inspired by Dr. Samanta's journey and vision, Dr. Santiago proposed naming a research institute after him, a suggestion that received unanimous approval from the university board.
At the inauguration, Dr. Santiago remarked, "The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative will help American students from diverse backgrounds understand and engage with India's tribal communities, cultural roots, and one of the world's most impactful educational models."
Dr. Samanta, who attended the event as the guest of honour, expressed profound gratitude and humility, stating that it is a moment of great pride and honour for him as an Odia and Indian to have a U.S. research institute named after him. He noted that it was not only a personal recognition but also a matter of pride for Odisha, KIIT, and KISS. He hoped that the institute would encourage greater research and understanding of Odisha's art, literature, and culture, as well as his own work.
Founded 175 years ago, CUNY is a prestigious U.S. public university system encompassing 25 colleges and over 300,000 students from 122 countries. The establishment of ASIICCI under its umbrella demonstrates the global relevance of Dr. Samanta's vision and Odisha's intellectual heritage.
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Historic First: CUNY In USA Establishes 'Achyuta Samanta India Initiative' Research Institute
Dr Samanta also bestowed with the Presidential Medal by the Varsity in New York BHUBANESHWAR, India, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ground-breaking development that marks a proud moment for India, especially for Odisha, a premier research institute at the City University of New York (CUNY) has been named after renowned educationist and social reformer Dr. Achyuta Samanta (Founder of KIIT and KISS). The newly established 'Achyuta Samanta India Initiative CUNY Crest Institute' (ASIICCI) was inaugurated on Tuesday in the presence of distinguished academics and dignitaries from across the United States. This historic move is the first time a research centre in the United States has been named after an Indian, making it a moment of immense pride not only for Dr. Samanta but also for the people of Odisha and the global KIIT and KISS community. The newly established institute will provide American students with opportunities to research on Odisha's rich art and heritage. It will also focus on Dr. Samanta's contribution to the socio-economic development of tribal communities and his achievements in the field of education. Adding to this prestigious recognition, Dr. Samanta was conferred the highest honour of CUNY — the Presidential Medal — during the event. Reserved for individuals of exceptional global impact, the medal acknowledges Dr. Samanta's transformative contributions to education, tribal upliftment, and humanitarian service. His grassroots work through KIIT and KISS has positively impacted over 80,000 tribal children, offering them quality education, dignity, and opportunity. The idea for the research institute originated during the recent visit of Dr. Milton Santiago, President of Bronx Community College under CUNY, to KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar. Deeply inspired by Dr. Samanta's journey and vision, Dr. Santiago proposed naming a research institute after him, a suggestion that received unanimous approval from the university board. At the inauguration, Dr. Santiago remarked, "The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative will help American students from diverse backgrounds understand and engage with India's tribal communities, cultural roots, and one of the world's most impactful educational models." Dr. Samanta, who attended the event as the guest of honour, expressed profound gratitude and humility, stating that it is a moment of great pride and honour for him as an Odia and Indian to have a U.S. research institute named after him. He noted that it was not only a personal recognition but also a matter of pride for Odisha, KIIT, and KISS. He hoped that the institute would encourage greater research and understanding of Odisha's art, literature, and culture, as well as his own work. Founded 175 years ago, CUNY is a prestigious U.S. public university system encompassing 25 colleges and over 300,000 students from 122 countries. The establishment of ASIICCI under its umbrella demonstrates the global relevance of Dr. Samanta's vision and Odisha's intellectual heritage.
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Prevost was twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinians, the 13th century religious order founded by St. Augustine. After Francis sent him to Chiclayo, he acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to assume the bishops' office and presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In that job he would have kept in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that counts the most Catholics and presumably was crucial to his election Thursday. The Rev. Alexander Lam, an Augustinian friar from Peru who knows the new pope, said he was beloved in Peru for his closeness to his people, especially poor people. He said he was a champion of social justice issues and environmental stewardship. 'Even the bishops of Peru called him the saint, the Saint of the North, and he had time for everyone,' Lam said in an interview with The Associated Press in Rome. 'He was the person who would find you along the way. 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