Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said knowledge is a key resource for achieving economic growth and social development in the present geo-economic world.
Addressing the 2022 batch of KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar at its 18th annual convocation, the chief minister wished the graduates a bright future and expressed confidence that they would make their mark in society with their ideas and innovations.
“In the last 25 years, KIIT has carved a niche for itself in the realm of technical and professional education in the country. It has achieved many milestones by getting prestigious national and international accreditations and also stands out in community outreach programmes,” Naveen said.
He also noted KIIT’s significant contributions to the field of sports. The institution is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.
In her convocation address delivered virtually, Dr Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Nobel Laureate, urged the graduates to do something for those who are less privileged even as they pursue their professional career.
John Desmond Forbes Anderson (Lord Waverley), Member of British Parliament, UK stated that India is an economic powerhouse and shares much in common with UK. He advocated expanding the areas of cooperation between the two countries, including the Free Trade Agreement.
On the occasion, KIIT-DU conferred Honoris Causa DLitt on six eminent persons from across the world including Himanshu Gulati, Member of Parliament, Norway; Bishow Parajuli, Representative & Country Director, WFP India; Andreas Jahn, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, Germany; Dr Deepa Malik, president, Paralympic Committee of India; K Subramanian, Executive Vice-Chairman, AFCONS Infrastructure and Prabodh Mohanty, Managing Director, SN Mohanty Group.
Prof Achyuta Samanta congratulated the batch of 2022 for their outstanding performance despite the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. “The university stood all along with the students in these difficult times, supporting them all the way in their quest for academic excellence,” he added.
In his presidential address, Ashok Kumar Parija, Chancellor, KIIT-DU said, “KIIT-DU is contributing to the development of India by empowering its students, creating alumni that are building the nation, and supporting the growth trajectory of millions of indigenous students. But what stands tall, is its mentoring and supporting gesture, quite unmatched in the annals of philanthropy in India”.
Prof SK Acharya, Pro-Chancellor and Prof Sasmita Samanta, Vice-Chancellor also spoke. As many as 8123 students received degrees at the convocation.
