Bhubaneswar: The energy and creativity of students from across the country was on show at the KIIT-DU’s KI3 Fest: Idea, Innovation and Impact.
Organised by the Dean’s Gold Klub in collaboration with IQAC, SRC, CRF, KSAC and IE, the event showcased the potential of young innovators under the theme, ‘Frontier Technologies for Viksit Bharat @ 2047’.
The fest displayed over 250 prototypes produced by 600 students from 24 schools of KIIT group of institutes, showcasing ground-breaking work being done by India’s future leaders.
The event celebrated innovation and encouraged a culture of ideation and impactful solutions to real-world problems.
Brig. (Dr) Laxmi Charan Patnaik, former Chairman of OPSC, highlighted the importance of innovation originating from educational institutions. All major innovations in the world, from 3D printing to blockchain technology, started in universities, he pointed out.
“Today, India, under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative, is exporting defence products worth millions of dollars, reflecting the strength of our innovation ecosystem,” he said, praising the government’s supportive policies, particularly in Odisha, for nurturing startups and entrepreneurs.
KIIT, KISS, and KIMS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta emphasised the transformative power of ideas.
“If ideas exist but have no impact, they hold no value. This fest is a platform to turn ideas into meaningful innovations,” Dr Samanta stated.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh attributed the success of the event to the vision of KIIT’s founder. “Startups are the future, and events like KI3 Fest provide the perfect foundation for nurturing entrepreneurial talent,” he remarked.
KIIT Registrar Prof. J R Mohanty observed that this is the first time students from ITI, PG and diploma programmes have participated alongside others. “It’s encouraging to see such a vibrant research ambience in the various schools of KIIT,” he said.