Interview Times 
Bhubaneswar, 14th September 2024 – At the 20th Annual Convocation of KIIT Deemed to be University held on September 14, 2024, Raghubar Das, Governor of Odisha, emphasized the vital role of youth in transforming India. Speaking to the Batch of 2024, he noted, “The country is going through both a challenging and exciting phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the vision of transforming the country into ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, with projections indicating that Bharat will become the 3rd largest economy in the world by 2030.”
Das commended the academic and athletic achievements of KIIT students, highlighting their participation in the Olympics, which has brought pride to the nation. He praised Dr. Achyuta Samanta for his unparalleled efforts in establishing the university and empowering underprivileged individuals through education.
Addressing the graduates, Governor Das stated, “Today youth are leading the change in the country, playing a significant role in innovation and start-ups. India is among the top three countries in the global startup ecosystem, where our youth are not just job seekers but job creators.”
In a virtual address, Nobel Peace Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk echoed the sentiments, stating, “KIIT has become one of the most prominent institutions in India and globally in a short time. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”
During the ceremony, KIIT-DU conferred Honoris Causa D.Sc. and D.Litt. degrees upon four distinguished individuals, including Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Dr. Chandra Bhanu Satpathy, Mr. Kishor Patil, and Shri Ashirbad Behera, recognizing their contributions in health, literature, business, and sports.
Dr. Reddy expressed gratitude for the honour, stating that KIIT exemplifies giving back to society, while Dr. Satpathy remarked on the hope instilled in marginalized communities by Dr. Samanta.
A total of 7,283 degrees were awarded during the ceremony, comprising 5,455 Bachelor’s, 1,597 Master’s, and 186 Ph.D. degrees. Dr. Samanta encouraged the graduates to embrace risk-taking and innovation, urging them to keep the principles of Idea, Innovation, and Impact at the forefront of their endeavors.
Ashok Kumar Parija, Chancellor of KIIT-DU, highlighted the university’s journey from humble beginnings to a leading institution in India, attributing this transformation to the unwavering dedication of its faculty and staff.
In his report, Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, noted KIIT’s recognition on the global stage, with 20 distinguished individuals listed in Stanford University’s database of the ‘World’s Top 2% Scientists.’
Medals were awarded to 59 students for exceptional academic performances, with Founder’s Gold Medals, Chancellor’s Gold Medals, and Vice Chancellor’s Silver Medals presented to deserving candidates. Prof. J. R. Mohanty, Registrar, concluded the ceremony with a word of thanks.
