Bhubaneswar: Over 1,000 students from across the country attended the 12th edition of the KIIT International School Model United Nations (MUN).
Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, who was chief guest at Sunday’s closing ceremony, praised the young delegates for embodying the spirit of dialogue, diversity and global citizenship.
The Governor underlined the importance of adapting and innovating collectively as resilience in today’s world is not about enduring crisis alone.
“We live in an interconnected age. Climate change, poverty, pandemics, gender equality, digital transformation and regional conflicts are challenges that transcend borders. Yet, this is also an era of immense opportunities for innovation, sustainable development and cultural exchange,” Kambhampati said.
The Governor asked students to embrace leadership as a responsibility of service and cooperation, rather than power. “Diplomacy is not about winning arguments but finding common ground. The true strength of a nation lies not in domination but in collaboration,” he remarked.
The Governor also shared a personal sentiment, saying his lifelong dream was to represent India at the United Nations. “Even though that dream was not fulfilled, I am delighted to participate in this Model UN,” he told the audience.
KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta praised the Governor’s humility and humanitarian outlook, recalling how he sat on the floor and shared a meal with 40,000 KISS students.
Highlighting the importance of such platforms for students, Samanta said, “You may come here with one knowledge, but you return with thousands. That is the impact of competitions like the MUN.”
The two-day event opened on August 23 in the presence of dignitaries including KIIT and KISS president Saswati Bal, school chairperson Dr Mona Lisa Bal, principal Dr Sanjay Suar, and head of International Curriculum Marc L Coleman.
Participants, including 100 students of KIIT International School, deliberated on important global issues like cyber warfare, nuclear non-proliferation, eco-innovation, refugee crises and mental health implications of artificial intelligence.
