A 30,000-strong campus that began with 12 students

The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) is not just a higher education institution offering quality technical education and high-end infrastructure for research. It has kindled hope in countless young boys and girls coming from the margins of society, giving wings to their career aspirations. It has produced corporate leaders, well-known Olympians, anchored successful start-ups and richly contributed to the economic growth of Odisha.

The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) is not just a higher education institution offering quality technical education and high-end infrastructure for research. It has kindled hope in countless young boys and girls coming from the margins of society, giving wings to their career aspirations. It has produced corporate leaders, well-known Olympians, anchored successful start-ups and richly contributed to the economic growth of Odisha.

As we celebrate 25 years of the institute, let us take you through the eventful journey we had in course of redefining the education landscape of Odisha and the eastern part of India. We had an arduous task at hand but our resolve remained firm, rooted in the principles of providing the best education to all students irrespective of their economic backgrounds.

It began in the early 1990s with four programmes, 12 students and two teachers; today the University comprises offers more 200 programmes across disciplines and has over 30,000 admitted students including foreign students from 64 countries. The University comprises more than 3000 faculties and researchers. Its campus offers diversity in all its hues unlike any other campus in India.

Buoyed by its academic achievement, strong industry-academia linkages and research accomplishments, the NAAC has accorded it A++ grade, placing it among the very few universities in India who enjoy such coveted status.

The University has become a pivot for the economic growth in the region. The northern fringes of the city where KIIT is based, has developed into a veritable economic nerve centre of the city. Today, this side of the city is developing not only as an educational hub but as a promising IT centre as well.

Estimate suggests that over 2 lakh indirect employment opportunities have been generated by KIIT over the span of the last two decades. The mushrooming of commercial enterprises and an ongoing real estate boom have brought more prosperity to the northern limits of the State Capital, centered around the sprawling 25 sq.km KIIT campus.

What makes KIIT an ideal destination for the students is the thrust on research activities and an enabling ecosystem that supports ideas. KIIT has funded research projects worth over Rs 300 crore over the years.

KIIT has entered into academic tie up with 350 international universities and institutions to enrich the student experience, facilitate faculty growth and contributions, and enhance the impact of research. It is also a member of the prominent national and international university network such as International Association of Universities, Association of Indian Universities, Association of Commonwealth Universities, etc.

PLACEMENTS

For the industry, KIIT has emerged as a sought-after destination for hiring the best minds. It has placed 65,000 alumni through on-campus placement. In 2022, over 700 companies visited our campus with 6010 job offers. The unique aspect of KIIT making it a sought-after destination for higher education is its curriculum and sustained focus on research and innovation. The curriculum design is flexible. KIIT offers an open credit system with multiple entries and exit system.

KIIT boasts 36 research centres, including centres of excellence, with the Central Research Facility spread over 1 lakh sq.ft. A substantial portion of the University’s budget is allocated to students research projects. The University also provide assistance for paper presentations at national and international conferences.

Taking advantage of KIIT’s academic collaborations, a large number of students take admission in top universities of the world every year.

GENESIS

KIIT is the vision of celebrated academician Dr Achyuta Samanta. The Founder comes from a humble background. He was raised in abject poverty and knew the value of education in one’s life. As he grew up amid intense struggle, the young Achyuta resolved to unshackle not only his family from the difficult existence but help all those who faced a similar fate.

The objective of KIIT was to create opportunities, fill a critical void in the education sector and develop a vibrant campus in Odisha that supports talents, remains at the forefront of research and technological development and weaves a new success story.

The journey began with a handful of students with an Industrial Technical Institute. The modest school set up in a small rented accommodation gained instant recognition. It went on to reinvent technical education in the State. Backed by the support and encouragement, KIIT stepped into the higher education space. In June 1997, KIIT took shape as an institute of higher learning offering engineering, MBA and MCA programmes.

KIIT’s commitment to quality gave it the critical edge in the technical education sphere. The year 2004 proved a milestone when it was declared a Deemed-to-be-University. The decades that followed saw the seeming transformation of KIIT as one of the best educational destinations in India, attracting students from abroad in equal measures.

Several milestones were added during the course of the last two decades as it grew in scale and recognition. In 2007, the new school of medicine was set up with the commencement of the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), School of Law and KIIT International School, among others. The year 2012 was a momentous year for us when it hosted the 99th Indian Science Congress. Today, KIIT operate 25 schools and offers 200 plus academic programmes. The KIIT campus is spread over a lush green environment; is wi-fi enabled and each building block has a distinct architectural style, lending uniqueness to the campus as you step in.

AMONG THE BEST

KIIT’s sustained focus on quality, updated curricula, regular industry interface and research has taken it to the top league and among the best institutes in India. The Education Ministry’s National Institute of Ranking Framework has adjudged KIIT as the 20th best in the country among all public and private universities.

The Times Higher Education has placed us in the cohort of 601-800 for 2023, reflecting our steady rise, among others, in global reputation. It has also placed us in the cohort of 401-500 in the Engineering discipline worldwide. KIIT also enjoys the distinction of having ten of our faculty members, some of whom are Padma Awardees, in the list of the ‘World’s Top 2 Percent Scientists’ published by Stanford University.

The University has signed 300 MoUs with corporate organizations. Besides, the university has forged alliances with leading international universities and 44 National Institutes of repute.

The University has countless talents who not only are celebrated names in their respective domains, but they are also contributing to their nation’s growth as successful bureaucrats, entrepreneurs and start-up leaders. The KIIT Technology Business Incubator is counted among the best in the country. It has incubated 300-plus start-ups and generated over 4500 jobs. It has supported more than 100 women-led start-ups. Over the years, 23 Nobel Laureates have visited our campus.

SPORTS

KIIT is probably the only institute in India with an unmatched sporting infrastructure. The huge campus has 18 sports complexes and has produced nine Olympians and four Arjuna Awardees. Some of the household names include athletes Dutee Chand and Srabani Nanda, CA Bhavani Devi, Hockey stars Amit Rohidas and Sunita Lakra and Javelin thrower Shivpal Singh.

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