Strengthening Global Collaboration: CUNY Highlights Education’s Role in Combating Poverty

Dr. Achyuta Samanta's Legacy Celebrated with New Research Institute at CUNY

Dr. Achyuta Samanta is an Indian educationist, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur who worked to change the lives of thousands of underprivileged students. He established the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) which are the world's largest fully-free residential institute for tribal children and provides education from kindergarten to postgraduate levels.

To honour Dr. Samanta’s contributions, the City University of New York has announced that a research institute will be named after him. The CUNY officials visited KIIT and KISS and acknowledged the academic accomplishments and commitment to helping underprivileged students and decided to create an institute. Through this program, students in the United States will have the chance to learn about the rich artistic and cultural legacy of Odisha, as well as Dr. Samanta's contributions to the socioeconomic advancement of indigenous communities and his educational accomplishments.

Dr. Milton Santiago, the president of Bronx Community College, announced that the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative of The CUNY CREST Institute (ASIICCI) will be inaugurated by Dr. Samanta in October. The City University of New York (CUNY) is a public university with 25 colleges that enrolls students from 122 different countries. Dr. Samanta expressed his excitement and underlined that the institute is a reflection of the work done at KIIT and KISS and will encourage them to study more and help to understand the culture of Odisha as well as their journey. He reiterated the university's commitment to diversity and highlighted the crucial role of education in helping individuals lift from poverty.

During the event, Alexander McLaren, Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad, emphasized the importance of strengthening educational ties between the United States and India. Additionally, Professor Peter Groffman, a prominent CUNY researcher with over 66,000 citations, underscored the necessity of international cooperation in tackling global challenges such as climate change.
Several speakers shared their perspectives during the event, including Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT DU, Salil Kader, Advisor for Strategic Planning and Public Engagement at the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad, Prof. Paramita Sen and Prof. Neal Phillip from Bronx Community College, and Sita Raiter, Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai.

Editor's Note:

The notable work of Dr. Achyuta Samanta for the betterment of underprivileged students is honored by the City University of New York, by inaugurating the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative at the City University of New York. Through this new research institute, students in the U.S. will gain valuable insights into Odisha's rich cultural heritage and Dr. Samanta's remarkable contributions to the field of education and social equity. This initiative not only honors Dr. Samanta's legacy but also strengthens the educational ties between the United States and India, promoting a shared commitment to addressing global challenges.

Skoobuzz extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Achyuta Samanta for his lifelong dedication to advancing education for tribal students. He sets an inspiring example for countless other educators, demonstrating that to bring about societal change, one must take the initiative.