Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, achieved a significant academic milestone by organizing two major scholarly events on 17–18 July 2025 —the International Conference on “Fostering Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability” (FIEIS–2025) and the Annual Research Conclave 2025 on “Setting Trends for Shaping the Future of Research”. These twin events exemplify the University’s deep commitment to promoting indigenous innovation, entrepreneurship, and academic excellence rooted in sustainability and equity. The international conference witnessed enthusiastic participation from Spain, Romania, Oman, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Jambia, USA, Nepal, and Bahrain.

The International Conference on FIEIS–2025, hosted in a hybrid mode, was jointly organized by the Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), School of Tribal Resource Management (STRM), and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), KISS-DU. Themed around India’s ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the conference centered on leveraging indigenous knowledge and sustainable entrepreneurship as critical drivers for inclusive development.

The conference commenced with traditional ceremonial proceedings, followed by addresses from eminent dignitaries including Dr. José Jesús Delgado Peña from Universidad De Málaga (Spain), CMA Sarat Kumar Behera (Chairman, ICMAI), Dr. Bijay Kumar Sahu (Regional Manager, NRDC), and Dr. Carlos Machado from the Global Impact Institute, Professor Malay Kumar Mohanty, Former Registrar Ravenshaw University and Former President Odisha Commerce Association, and Professor Amareswar Galla, Pro Chancellor, KISS-DU.

The Welcome Address was delivered by Professor Debashis Bandyopadhyay, Vice Chancellor, KISS-DU and Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU proposed the Vote of Thanks. Speaking earlier, Dr. Snigdharani Panda, Chairperson Council of Deans, KISS-DU and the Convener of the Conference set the tone of the event and presented a brief overview of the aims and objectives of the conference. Key milestones included the release of the “Book of Abstracts”, “Research Compendium”, and “Research Scholar Profile” and a book on “Marketing of Non-Timber Forest Products and Economic Empowerment of Tribal Communities”. Following the Inaugural Session, the esteemed dignitaries and the senior functionaries unveiled the Research Conclave (Poster Presentation Corridor).

A major highlight was the high-level Panel Discussion on Fostering Indigenous Entrepreneurship, moderated by Professor Maheswar Sahu. Professor Tushar Kant Pany, Professor P.G Department of Commerce, Ravenshaw University, CMA CA Avinash Kotni, Vice Chairman and Chairman Students Facilitation Committee, ICMAI, Dr. Gergana Rashkova, Professor International Business School, Bulgaria, Dr. Meghna Mishra, Founder and CEO, Angels and Arks Educational and Charitable Trust, Professor Sudhir Kumar Singh, Professor Manipur University and Dr. Padmlita Routray, Department of Business Administration F M University, Balasore and Central Council Member ISTD and Professor G.M Joseph Dunston, Former Vice Chancellor St. Joseph University, Nagaland were invited as the esteemed panelists for the session. Speakers emphasized the fusion of traditional knowledge with modern innovation, the importance of financial literacy, regional entrepreneurship, and global market access through digital platforms.

FIEIS–2025 featured six thematic tracks: Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Technological Innovations; Sustainability (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace & Partnership); Economic and Ethical Dimensions of Indigenous IPR; Generative AI and Entrepreneurship; and Multidisciplinary Research. Across these six parallel tracks, over 300 papers were presented by national and international scholars. Over 24 resource persons graced the occasion as experts in all the tracks.

Running concurrently, the Annual Research Conclave 2025, themed “Setting Trends for Shaping the Future of Research”, was jointly organized by the Research and Development Cell (RDC), Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), and Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The conclave provided a vibrant and inclusive platform for over 200 scholars to present research papers and posters spanning disciplines and regions. The Abstract Compendium reflected wide thematic and geographic diversity—from financial inclusion in the Northeast to cultural heritage commercialization in Central India. Thematic areas included decolonizing development paradigms, ethics in artificial intelligence, gender-inclusive innovation ecosystems, Indigenous healing systems, food sovereignty, education equity, and land rights.

The conclave also featured a Poster Presentation Corridor, showcasing student and faculty research, and a cultural evening that celebrated Indigenous identity through music, dance, and traditional performances.

The Valedictory Session was graced by Professor Pradyot Keshari Pradhan, Former Professor P.G Department of Commerce, Utkal University, Dr. Chanyan Somthawinpongsai, Associate Dean, School of Liberal Arts, Shinawatra University, Dr. Kumar Satyaki Ray, Associate Dean, IBS, Kolkata, Professor Siba Prasad Adhikary, Professor Emeritus, KISS-DU and former Vice Chancellor F M University and Professor Padmaja Mishra Professor Emeritus, KISS-DU and former Vice Chancellor Rama Devi Women’s University. Their deliberations were followed by feedback by the resource persons and participants. Earlier a brief report of the two-day event was read out by Dr. Disha Bhatt, Dy. Director, IQAC, KISS-DU which also included the recent achievement of KISS for receiving global recognition by being featured in the 2025 United Nations ECOSOC high-level Segment Compilation of Written Submissions for its pioneering work in empowering indigenous futures through science, technology and Evidence-based education.

The UN recognition highlighted KISS’s innovative initiatives including indigenous knowledge system , UNESCO awarded Mother tongue based multilingual education model, Professors of Practice, digital partnerships and institutional innovation ecosystem. The report commended KISS’s contributions towards SDGs 1,2,3,4,5,10,13,16 and 17. Professor Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, KIIT-DU, Dr. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT-DU and the members from the KIIT R&D team also graced the occasion and interacted with the research scholars of KISS-DU, who showcased their research work through poster presentations. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Arpana Premi Lina Oraon, Director Research and Development Cell, KISS-DU.

FIEIS–2025 and the Annual Research Conclave, and the UN recognition collectively reaffirm KISS’s global leadership in sustainability, inclusive education, Indigenous empowerment, and research-driven development. These milestones stand as a tribute to every tribal child who dares to dream and symbolizes the power of culturally rooted, globally relevant innovation.

The event was organized by all the team members from the Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship, School of Tribal Resource Management, and Internal Quality Assurance Cell. The two-day event attracted over 700 registrations and witnessed the active participation of more than 500 attendees, including social entrepreneurs, policy makers, scholars, academicians, and students from across India and abroad.