The Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) and the School of Tribal Resource Management (STRM), KISS Deemed to be University hosted the visit of Ms. Anjum Malik, Founder and Executive Director, The Global Impact Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting at-risk groups through education, mentoring, and job training programs on 25th November 2024. Her organization partners with prestigious institutions, including the U.S. Department of State and the Crown Prince’s Foundation in Jordan. Renowned as an educational entrepreneur, Ms. Malik has dedicated her life to empowering marginalized and vulnerable communities worldwide.
On the occasion, KISS-DU organized an enriching interactive session “Meet and Chat with Anjum Malik”. The session was held in the conference hall of the Administrative Building, KISS Campus-3. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Esteemed Registrar, Chairperson Council of Deans, Centre Head of CIIE, Dean of STRM, HoD, Senior Professors, Faculty Members, Research Scholars and Students attended the program. The session began with a warm welcome by Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of KISS-DU. He set the tone for the event with a thought-provoking address, highlighting three critical areas of focus – Strategies to make KISS students more visible on global platforms, Guidance on how students can safeguard and promote their cultural heritage and Ways to inspire and equip students to become exceptional entrepreneurs with the support of Global Impact Initiative.
The Vice-Chancellor praised Ms. Malik’s pioneering work and expressed excitement about the potential collaboration between KISS-DU and GII.
Dr. Arpana Premi Lina Oraon, Dean of the School of Tribal Resource Management, introduced Ms. Malik. She highlighted Ms. Malik’s achievements and her passion for creating opportunities for underserved communities. This introduction set the stage for an inspiring and lively interaction.
Ms. Anjum Malik began her session with high energy and warmth, immediately captivating the audience. Sharing her personal journey of struggle and success in Texas, she inspired students by demonstrating resilience and determination. She expressed her admiration for KISS, describing the institution as a “feast for the eye” for its commitment to education and empowerment. She offered invaluable advice to the aspiring entrepreneurs in attendance. “Mentorship is key, Networking matters, Dream big, and Connect with the right people.”, said Ms. Malik. Further, she also assured the audience that she would feature KISS students’ work on the Gii blog, providing them with greater visibility and recognition.
The session was moderated by Dr. Snigdharani Panda, Chairperson, Council of Deans. Dr. Panda steered the discussion toward practical strategies for elevating students from local to global platforms. She proposed signing a Memorandum of Understanding between KISS-DU and Gii. Ms. Malik enthusiastically agreed and assured that the partnership would include initiatives such as cross-cutting programs, certificate courses, internships for students, and teacher training programs.
The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Parikshita Khatua, Head of the Department of Commerce, who expressed gratitude to Ms. Malik and all attendees for making the event a success.
The program was beautifully anchored by Ms. Nikki Kujur and Ms. Priyanka Majhi, research scholars from STRM, whose professionalism and poise ensured the event’s smooth execution.
The interactive session with Ms. Anjum Malik was a profound experience for the attendees, leaving them inspired and motivated. It laid a strong foundation for future collaborations between KISS-DU and The Global Impact Initiative, aimed at providing students with global exposure and entrepreneurial guidance while preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage.
