Latest news with #AchyutaSamantaIndiaInitiative
Business Wire
6 days ago
- General
- Business Wire
Indian Educationist Dr. Achyuta Samanta Recognised With Research Institute in His Name at CUNY, USA
BHUBANESWAR, India & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a noteworthy development underscoring growing academic collaboration between India and the United States, the City University of New York (CUNY) has launched a dedicated research platform—the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative of the CUNY CREST Institute (ASIICCI). Named after Dr. Achyuta Samanta, a noted Indian educationist and social worker, the initiative focuses on academic research in Indian social and educational sectors, with a particular lens on Odisha. This marks one of the rare instances of a living Indian being honoured with such a naming in an American public university system. Dr. Samanta, who hails from Odisha, is the founder of two major institutions—Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). KIIT is a multidisciplinary university offering a wide range of professional programmes to over 40,000 students. KISS, on the other hand, provides free education, accommodation, healthcare, and food to more than 40,000 tribal children. His pioneering work in ensuring free quality education and holistic development to marginalised communities has earned him global recognition. Over the years, Dr. Samanta has been conferred with 67 honorary doctorate degrees (honoris causa) from universities across the globe—one of the highest such recognitions received by any Indian academician or social worker. Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, representatives at CUNY noted that Dr. Samanta's model—integrating education with empowerment—offers a replicable example for institutions worldwide. The platform aims to provide scholars with an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research centred on India's developmental challenges and contributions. Additionally, it will facilitate an in-depth exploration of Samanta's educational model that has successfully integrated academic excellence with social impact. The official inauguration, held earlier this week, was attended by senior academics including Dr. Milton Santiago, President of Bronx Community College, part of the CUNY system. With over 300,000 students from 122 nationalities, CUNY is one of the largest and most diverse public university systems in the United States. While institutions in the U.S. have occasionally recognised Indian cultural figures posthumously, ASIICCI is unique in being named after a living Indian educator. The initiative is expected to foster long-term academic engagement between Indian and American scholars. The development has been noted in academic circles as a gesture of cross-cultural recognition, adding to the growing discourse on inclusive, socially driven education models.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
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.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Research institute at City University of New York (CUNY) named after Dr Achyuta Samanta
New York: The City University of New York (CUNY) has named a newly established research institute after well-known educationist Dr. Achyuta Samanta. The institute, titled the 'Achyuta Samanta India Initiative CUNY Crest Institute' (ASIICCI), was inaugurated on Tuesday in New York. The inauguration took place in the presence of academicians and dignitaries from the United States. This is the first time a research institute in the US has been named after an Indian. The institute will support research by American students on Odisha's art and heritage. It will also focus on Dr. Samanta's work in education and tribal development. The initiative was proposed by Dr. Milton Santiago, President of Bronx Community College under CUNY, after his recent visit to KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar. Impressed by Dr. Samanta's work, Dr. Santiago suggested naming the institute after him. The proposal was approved by the university board. Dr. Samanta attended the inauguration on an invitation from Dr. Santiago. 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.' At the event, Dr. Samanta said it was an honor to have an institute in the US named after him. He said the recognition was a matter of pride for Odisha, KIIT, and KISS. He dedicated the honor to the people of Odisha and the KIIT-KISS community. CUNY, a 175-year-old public university in the US, has more than 300,000 students and includes 25 colleges. It has students from 122 countries. Dr. Samanta was also awarded the university's highest honour, the Presidential Medal, during the event.
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Research institute in New York named after Achyuta Samanta
BHUBANESWAR : The City University of New York (CUNY) has named a newly-established research institute after educationist Achyuta Samanta. The institute, Achyuta Samanta India Initiative CUNY Crest Institute (ASIICCI), was inaugurated on Tuesday in New York. It will support research by American students on Odisha's art and heritage and also focus on Samanta's work in education and tribal development. The president of Bronx Community College under CUNY Milton Santiago had proposed naming the institute after Samanta after his recent visit to KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar. Santiago said 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. Attending the event, Samanta said it was an honour to have an institute in the US named after him. 'The recognition is a matter of pride for Odisha, KIIT, and KISS,' he added. Samanta was also awarded the university's highest honour, the Presidential Medal, during the event. A 175-year-old public university in the US, CUNY has more than three lakh students and includes 25 colleges. It has students from 122 countries.
India.com
22-05-2025
- General
- India.com
US Honours India – CUNY Launches Research Institute In Dr Achyunta Samanta's Name
New Delhi: A research institute has been named after an Indian for the first time in the United States. And that Indian is none other than Dr Achyuta Samanta – a noted humanitarian, an educationist and a social reformer from Odisha. The City University of New York (CUNY) launched the Achyuta Samanta India Initiate CUNY Crest Institute on May 20. Leaders, dignitaries and academics from across the United States attended the event. This was a proud moment not only for Dr Samanta but for all Odisha and the KIIT-KISS family worldwide. The institute will offer American students a window into India, especially into Odisha's tribal heritage art and culture. It will also study Dr Samanta's lifelong work in transforming tribal education and empowering the underprivileged. But the honour did not stop there. The CUNY, at the same time, awarded its highest recognition, the Presidential Medal, to Dr Samanta. This rare award is reserved for individuals who make a global impact. Dr Samanta earned it for his extraordinary work in social service and reform and education. He has helped more than 80,000 tribal children access education, opportunity and dignity through KIIT and KISS. The idea for this US-based institute came earlier. Dr Milton Santiago, president of Bronx Community College under CUNY, had visited KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar. Moved by what he saw, he proposed naming a research institute after Dr Samanta. The CUNY boad approved it unanimously. Addressing at the inauguration ceremony, Dr Santiago said, 'The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative will help American students understand India's tribal communities and their rich culture. It will also introduce them to one of the world's most impactful educational models.' Dr Samanta was the guest of honour at the event. He expressed deep gratitude. He said it was a proud moment for him as an Odia and Indian. He added that the institute is not just a personal honour but also a recognition for Odisha, KIIT and KISS. He hoped the new centre would lead to more research into Odisha's art, literature andhis social work. CUNY is one of the oldest and largest public university system in the United States, with 25 colleges and more than 300,000 students from 122 countries. With the establishment of the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative, CUNY now also carries a piece of Odisha's spirit and the legacy of a man who changed thousands of lives. (The article is from brand desk. User discretion is advised.)
