The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University (KISS-DU), Bhubaneswar and the Indian Adult Education Association (IAEA), New Delhi jointly hosted the 66th All India Adult Education Conference from 21st to 23rd January 2026 on the theme “Fostering Adult and Lifelong Learning for All”.
While delivering the Welcome Address, Professor L. Raja, President, IAEA appreciated the milestones and achievements of KIIT, KISS and KIMS. As an endeavour to inspire the attendees, Professor Raja shared the journey of Hon’ble Founder KIIT, KISS and KIMS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta and the hardship faced by him during his childhood. He highlighted the advantages of lifelong learning. Professor Raja also briefed about the how the IAEA came into being. He concluded by saying that he is hopeful that the paper presenters will touch upon the major areas of the theme and shed light on the relevant areas of adult education were deliberated in this platform.
Speaking in turn, Professor Rajesh, Director IAEA and Senior Professor, University of Delhi introduced the guest. Drawing reference from two famous quotes by Hon’ble Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta “Poverty creates illiteracy. Literacy eradicates poverty”, and “Education is the third eye of the child”, Dr. Rajesh linked its relevance with lifelong learning and how education can bring in transformative changes in the life of people. He cited some of the major contributions of Hon’ble Founder towards the society and showered his respect by recognizing him as a global humanitarian. He brought to light the major national and international awards and recognitions conferred upon Hon’ble Founder and made a special reference of the Art of Giving initiative. He concluded his speech by urging for more meaningful collaborations between KISS-DU and IAEA.
This was followed by a felicitation ceremony wherein Recognition of Indian Adult Education Association was bestowed upon Hon’ble Founder KIIT, KISS and KIMS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta for his contributions towards Lifelong Education who chaired the Inaugural Ceremony as the Chief Guest. Hon’ble Founder in his address said that KIIT and KISS have organized many mega conferences in the past like the Indian Social Science Conference and the most recent one Indian Political Science Conference however, a conference on Adult Education is being held for the first time on our soil. “I am grateful to IAEA for recognizing and appreciating my work”, Dr. Samanta added. Furthermore, he said that KISS has been working on Adult Education since its inception. Explaining in detail he said that the students KISS act as change agents by teaching people in their villages. Dr. Samanta concluded by saying that we salute all the Founders of IAEA.
Four books were unveiled on the occasion. The first one being – “Life for Lifelong Learning” (Professor K.C Choudhary’s Commemorative Volume) edited by Professor L. Raja, Mr. Suresh Khandelwal, Professor Rajesh and B. Sanjay. “Adult Education Strategies for Sustainability” edited by Professor L. Raja, Suresh Khandelwal and Professor Rajesh, followed by a book on “Hill Kharias of India Continuities, Changes and the Sacred Groves” by Dr. Manoj Behera and a book on “The Lodhas” by Dr. Ratnakar Mohapatra.
In his deliberation, the Guest of Honour, Professor Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, KIIT-DU and KISS-DU (I/c) said that we are honoured to host a cohort of esteemed dignitaries who have worked in premier institutions. He underscored the benefits of lifelong learning and its impact on the society. He expressed the need for improving the Gross Enrollment Ratio. The main thrust of his deliberation was the significance of Skill Education and Vocational Education and ways to improve the livelihood people. He expressed the need for building start up and entrepreneurial eco system at KISS. He urged to introduce courses related to entrepreneurship and provide employability-ready workforce. He opined that this would pave the way of achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 in both letter and spirit. Professor Singh concluded by requesting IAEA to support in honing the entrepreneurial skills of the students at KISS.
Mr. Suresh Khandelwal, General Secretary, IAEA while proposing the Vote of Thanks expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Founder KIIT, KISS and KIMS, Senior Functionaries of KIIT-DU and KISS-DU, esteemed dignitaries, guests, attendees and participants, paper presenters, resource persons, and everyone who contributed in making the 66th All India Adult Education Conference a success.
The three-day conference witnessed deliberations by paper presenters and resource persons on the fifteen major sub-themes of the topic mainly revolving around NEP 2020: Conceptional Framework for Adult and Lifelong Learning for All and Full Employment; Adult and Lifelong Learning for All for Full Employment: Role of Academic Institutions; Decoding Multidisciplinary Approach for Adult and Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development; Role of Community Organizations for Upgrading Adult and Lifelong Learning; ULLAS and Adult and Lifelong Learning for All; Harnessing RPL for Adult and Lifelong Learning for Full Employment; Promotion of Adult and Lifelong Learning by the Government; Women Empowerment and Lifelong Learning; Opportunities and Challenges for Lifelong Learning; Reviving Sacred Groves through Participatory Adult Learning and Local Governance; Gender Justice and Literacy Programme for Tribal Women; Tribal Language and Literature, and Adult Learning for Cultural Continuity; Promoting and Preserving Marginal Literature: An Adult Learning Initiative; Preservation of Tribal Heritage through Adult Education and Heritage Ecologies among Indian Indigenous Communities. Over hundred paper presenters deliberated on the above-mentioned themes and shed light on the contemporary research work on these topics.
Speaking at the Valedictory Ceremony, Professor Rajesh, Director IAEA and Senior Professor, University of Delhi said that this platform celebrated wisdom and pursuit of learning. He expressed gratitude to Hon’ble Founder KIIT, KISS and KIMS Dr. Achyuta Samanta, all the Senior Functionaries of KIIT and KISS, and paper presenters. He added that IAEA has over six decades of work on Adult Education and reiterated the key take away points. Speaking in turn, Dr. Asha Verma, Office Bearer, IAEA introduced all the dignitaries on the dias and presented a brief profile of each guest.
The Chief Guest, N.K Ambasht in his address talked about the evolution of Adult Education from 1935 till date. He highlighted the journey spanning from Adult Literacy to Digital Literacy. He also cited the importance of mother-tongue based multilingual Adult Literacy. Shri Ambasht reiterated the responsibilities of a common citizen especially in the context of social education. Furthermore, he shared his reflections on the three-day deliberations and concluded by emphasizing the role of AI in achievinf Viksit Bharat 2047. Mr. Mrinal Pant, Joint Secretary, IAEA read the Odisha Declaration wherein the vows towards the strengthening of Adult Education and the vision to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047 were renewed. Through the Odisha Declaration, it was proposed to establish new Centres and Departments in various universities and institutions. Dr. Manoj Behera, Secretary IAEA and Associate Professor, KISS-DU while sharing his experiences said that he is grateful to each one present and impressed by the team spirit and dedication of the members of IAEA and KISS-DU. He also expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Founder, KIIT and KISS and Senior Functionaries of both KIIT-DU and KISS-DU.
Professor L. Raja while delivering the Presidential Address talked about how the idea of this conference was conceived and inking an MoU was the first step towards this milestone. He shared real life case studies of Lifelong Learning from the participants and urged the young Office Bearers of IAEA to carry forward the legacy. He thanked the young research scholars who seamlessly executed their roles and responsibilities as volunteers. Professor Raja concluded by proposing the joint establishment of Centre for Lifelong Learning at KISS Deemed to be University. Mr. Rajendra Joshi, Associate Secretary, IAEA and Dr. Geeta Mishra, Council Member shared their remarks on the occasion. Dr. Mishra opined that KISS is a true example of sustainable education and visiting all the campuses was a profound experience.
Shri. Suresh Khandelwal, General Secretary, IAEA in his address cited examples of of Dr. Samanta’s works towards Lifelong Learning. “We are mesmerized by the hospitality of KIIT and KISS”, he added. Shri. Khandelwal also proposed the Vote of Thanks wherein he expressed profound gratitude to Hon’ble Founder KIIT and KISS, Senior Functionaries of both the Universities, resource persons, paper presenters and all the members who made this conference a roaring success.
