Active Collaboration/ Partnerships : https://university.kiss.ac.in/about/collaborations/, https://university.kiss.ac.in/?s=MOU

KISS is a fully free residential home for 30,000 students in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since the year 2015. It is registered under Societies Act XXI of 1860. Its higher education unit, KISS Deemed to be University has been declared Deemed University under Section 3 of UGC Act, 1956 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, now Ministry of Education Government of India, New Delhi since 2017. KISS has been conferred UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize 2022 for its contribution to preservation of indigenous languages.

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University (KISS-DU) plays an active role in national and regional SDG policy development and implementation through direct engagement with government bodies, international organizations, universities, and civil society. The university’s partnerships and MoUs collectively contribute to identifying developmental challenges, designing policy responses, modelling interventions, and supporting adaptive governance aligned with India’s SDG commitments.

Active Collaborations / Partnerships: https://university.kiss.ac.in/about/collaborations/
https://university.kiss.ac.in/?s=MOU

1. Collaboration with Government Organizations: At the national level, KISS-DU partnered with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, NIEPA, ICWA, and IBM to promote skill development, NEP 2020 implementation, policy research, and digital education. CSR-driven partnerships with organizations such as Capgemini, Lenovo Foundation, and FIVB fostered innovation, youth leadership, and sports inclusion.
   • • Ministry of External Affairs: KISS-DU in collaboration with KIIT-DU hosted a 38-member delegation of young overseas Indians from 11 countries as part of the Ministry of External Affairs’ Know India Programme (KIP). The event served as a dialogue between diaspora youth, government officials, and academia on global citizenship and cultural diplomacy. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/know-india-programme-organized-at-kiss-du/
       
     • KISS Deemed to be University inked MoU with the Indian Institute of Bio-social Research and Development (IBRAD), (Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Tribal Development, Ministry of Tribal Development) Kolkata on 6th July 2022. The key areas of collaboration are: organize residential training programmes, jointly hold research and field activities, organize national and international seminars, symposia and conferences on topics of common interests, exchange human resources between the two institutions, promote short term internship of trainees for specific assignments, exchange of e-resources/audio visuals/documentary videos, jointly work together for successfully organizing the World Anthropology Congress in 2023 and establish a mini tribal museum at KISS-DU and community museums at village levels focusing on PVTGs with the support of IBRAD. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-inks-mou-with-ibrad/
     • University Grants Commission (UGC): KISS-DU participates in Vice-Chancellors’ Conferences and NEP 2020 consultations, providing policy insights on inclusive education, skill integration, and sustainable university management.
     • UGC Women Leadership Workshop (Dec 2024): KISS-DU faculty participated in UGC’s national policy dialogue on women’s leadership in higher education https://university.kiss.ac.in/news/page/13/
       • Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL): A significant public-sector MoU promoting skill-based education and industrial training, aligned with Make in India and Skill India
2. Collaboration with Non-government organizations
   KISS-DU works closely with NGOs and civil society organizations to co-create and implement inclusive programs that address health, gender equity, livelihood generation, and community resilience. These partnerships translate policy into action by linking grassroots needs with national SDG frameworks.
   • IBM Skills Build Changemakers Project (launched January 2024) and Lenovo-Motorola Multilingual Education Kiosk Project (initiated June 2024) embody adaptive approaches, integrating technology and local feedback loops to modify curricula and engagement strategies based on impact data (Source: Activity Report pages 52–53).
   • ActionAid India and Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD): Collaborative initiatives promote women’s entrepreneurship, livelihood diversification, and community-based governance.
   • Children International (USA): Partnership focuses on child welfare, health, and education through preventive healthcare camps, digital learning, and awareness campaigns for tribal children and families.
   • VK-AICYAM: Joint initiatives focus on indigenous knowledge preservation, sustainable agriculture, and local innovation models that inform rural development policies.
   • KISS-DU inks MoU with Confederation of Indian Industry – Young Indians (CII-Yi): KISS-DU formalized an MoU with the Confederation of Indian Industry – Young Indians (CII-Yi) to promote entrepreneurship, youth leadership, and innovation-driven development. The partnership supports mentorship programs, start-up incubation, and skill-building workshops for tribal youth. Through this collaboration, students gain exposure to business networks, leadership forums, and industry mentorship. The initiative embodies SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals by bridging academia and industry, fostering shared responsibility for sustainable economic growth, and empowering young changemakers to contribute to India’s inclusive development journey.
   • KISS-DU inks MoU with the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE): KISS-DU entered an MoU with the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) to enhance faculty development, curriculum innovation, and technical skill advancement. The collaboration includes professional training, joint seminars, and certification programs to strengthen STEM education and employability among students. Faculty members benefit from continuous learning opportunities and exposure to evolving industry standards. This partnership aligns with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating how academic-industry cooperation can promote innovation, quality education, and equitable access to technical knowledge for sustainable development.
   • Jhpiego (Johns Hopkins University): Partnership through the THRIVE Centre advances tribal health, vocational education, and policy advocacy for inclusive healthcare access.
     • THRIVE – Tribal Health Research, Innovation and Vocational Empowerment Centre – October 2024: Launched in collaboration with Jhpiego (Johns Hopkins University), THRIVE focuses on policy research and innovation in tribal health, nutrition and livelihoods. It strengthens the evidence base for India’s National Tribal Health Policy and global SDG 3 commitments. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiit-kiss-jhpiego-launches-thrive-to-enhance-tribal-health-youth-empowerment/
       
     • Collaboration with SAKHA – Community-Based Organization of Transgender Network: KISS, in partnership with SAKHA (a CBO of transgender persons) and with funding from the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI), implemented the Nua Maa (New Mother) Project in Rayagada district, Odisha. This project focuses on Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and uses community media and participatory storytelling. The project exemplifies inclusive collaboration by engaging transgender individuals as community facilitators. Link: https://kiss.ac.in/nua-maa/
3. Collaboration with International Organizations: KISS-DU has cultivated a robust network of international partnerships that advance academic research, policy innovation, and global citizenship. KISS-DU partnered with UNESCO, UNSSC, UNV India, and UNESCO-MGIEP to co-develop initiatives such as the Nelson Mandela Regional Hub for SDG research, the SEEK Programme on emotional learning, and the Fit for Life Initiative integrating youth, health, and education. The university joined the Nature Positive Universities Network (University of Oxford and UNEP), promoting biodiversity and carbon neutrality. Collaborations with the University of Cambridge, Johns Hopkins University (Jhpiego), University of Sydney, and University of Málaga facilitated projects like THRIVE (Tribal Health and Innovation), Project K-MUSE (Cultural Heritage Preservation), and Erasmus+ AURORA (Inclusive Education Reform).
   • UNESCO, UNSSC, UNDP, UNICEF, and UNV India: Joint initiatives such as the Nelson Mandela Regional Hub for SDG Leadership, Fit for Life Initiative, and SEEK Programme focus on education, peacebuilding, and youth leadership.
     • Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC (since 2015): KISS is recognized globally for its policy engagement on education and social inclusion, providing consultative input to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and contributing to regional SDG progress reporting.
     • UNESCO MGIEP Partnership 2024: KISS and KIIT signed an MoU with UNESCO MGIEP to implement the SEEK course (Self-directed Emotional Learning for Empathy and Kindness), advancing emotional intelligence and empathy in education systems. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/mou-kiss-unesco/)
       
     • UNESCO Fit for Life Initiative – 2024: KISS-DU advanced the UNESCO ‘Fit for Life’ initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, aligning youth sports and education with national health policy frameworks. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/fivb-signs-mou-with-kiss-for-volleyball-promotion-in-india-south-asia/
     • UNV India Partnership – April 2024: A tripartite agreement to give opportunities to students to be part of different UN Agencies as UN Volunteers linking youth participation with local SDG policy monitoring and implementation. https://university.kiss.ac.in/about/collaborations/ The UN Resident Coordinator in India, Mr. Shombi Sharp, visited KISS in April 2024, acknowledging its role as a “living example of SDG implementation” and highlighting its community-based adaptive learning model that informs UN’s localized SDG frameworks in India.
     • UNESCO Partnership (SAPA Framework): KISS partnered with UNESCO and other partners to develop the Sports and Physical Activity Assessment Framework (SAPA) (2024–2026). This initiative provides a global model for assessing the social impact of sports-based development programmes, integrating empirical indicators into policymaking for education, youth, and health sectors.
     • UN System Staff College (UNSSC) Collaboration: KIIT–KISS signed a landmark MoU with the UNSSC in Turin, Italy (Sept 2024) to set up the Nelson Mandela Regional Hub to lead joint research, policy dialogues and leadership programs on SDGs. This collaboration embeds the institutions in global policy ecosystems shaping sustainable governance.
     • UNESCO Chairs Round-Table – March 2024: KISS-DU hosted 16 UNESCO Chairs from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, under the aegis of UNESCO New Delhi, to deliberate on interlinkages between education, sustainability and peacebuilding. This roundtable contributed to shaping UNESCO’s regional framework for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-hosts-roundtable-of-unesco-chairs-in-south-asia/
       
     • University of Cambridge (UK), University of Málaga (Spain), and Nusa Putra University (Indonesia): Academic collaborations under Erasmus+ and TIGR2ESS promote cross-cultural research, sustainability education, and policy-oriented learning.
     • Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (India–Global Network): Collaborative projects address community health, digital education, and social outreach aligned with SDG 3, 4, and 17.
     • Nature Positive Universities Network (University of Oxford & UNEP): Partnership fosters biodiversity restoration, carbon neutrality, and environmental policy innovation on campus.
     • Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) & Inclusive Museum Network (Vienna, Austria): Collaborations focus on cultural heritage, museum education, and inclusive urban development under SDG 11.
     • Weather and Climate Hackathon (WATCH) with CUNY and U.S. Consulate – September 2024: Jointly organized by KISS-DU, the City University of New York (CUNY), and the U.S. Consulate General, WATCH trained students and researchers in data-driven climate modelling, urban resilience and predictive adaptation strategies supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action). https://kiss.ac.in/hackathon/
     • Nature Positive Universities (NPU) Network Membership 2024: KISS and KISS-DU joined the global Nature Positive Universities initiative (University of Oxford and UNEP) to embed biodiversity restoration, carbon neutrality, and sustainable campus policies. https://university.kiss.ac.in/green-initiatives/kiss-and-kiss-du-join-nature-positive-universities/
     • American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) MoU, June 2024: The MoU with ACYPL (USA) promotes democratic leadership and youth policy training. The partnership fosters civic responsibility and cross-cultural governance exchanges under SDG 16 (Peace and Justice). https://kiss.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Activity-Report-American-Centre-27-12.pdf)
     • Harvard India Trek – March 2024: KISS hosted a 40-member Harvard University delegation to Demonstrate indigenous-led education and sustainability models contributing to India’s academic diplomacy and SDG implementation. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/a-40-member-delegation-from-harvard-india-visits-kiit-and-kiss/
     • Aspire Leaders Program (Harvard-linked) – 2024: MoU signed with Aspire Leaders Program to deliver global leadership development for low-income, first-generation learners aged 18–26, supporting SDG 4. https://news.kiit.ac.in/mou/aspire-leaders-program-alp-signs-mou-with-kiit-kiss/
     • MoU with FIVB: Created a Centre of Excellence for youth sports in South Asia, promoting health, gender inclusion, and SDG 3 & 5 outcomes. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/fivb-signs-mou-with-kiss-for-volleyball-promotion-in-india-south-asia/
     • Partnership with Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU): Developed grassroots sports and education policy frameworks with the Government of Odisha. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiit-kiss-to-be-associate-sponsor-of-rugby-india/
     • Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), MEA, Govt. of India: In September 2024, KISS and KIIT signed an MoU with ICWA, a premier policy think tank under the Ministry of External Affairs, to advance public policy research and global engagement, strengthening the interface between academia and government diplomacy.
     • Project K-MUSE (2024)
       Through collaboration with the University of Sydney – Chau Chak Wing Museum, KISS launched K-MUSE to preserve indigenous material culture, supporting UNESCO cultural policy goals and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities).
       International Museum Day Post
     • Kalinga Conversations – “Indigenous Values in the Built Environment” (Nov 2024)
       In association with UNESCO UNITWIN Network and KIIT School of Architecture, this event advanced policy discourse on indigenous design frameworks.
       Event Article
     • World Environment Day 2024: Tree plantation and eco-awareness campaigns promoting green infrastructure and sustainable living. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-observed-world-environment-day-2024/
     • Kalinga Fellowship – Global Leadership Platform for Gender Equality: The Kalinga Fellowship, launched by KISS in collaboration with The Bridge Institute (UK), Ashoka Foundation, FXB India, Prajwala, UN Women, U.S. Consulate Hyderabad, IJM and IBM, addresses systemic social barriers under SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The Fellowship brings together leaders from business, government, and civil society to design actionable strategies against gender-based violence and human trafficking. Over 500 fellows have graduated, creating global impact and cross-sectoral learning.Links:
       – https://kiss.ac.in/kalinga-fellowship/
       – https://kiss.ac.in/kalinga-fellowship-2/
       – https://www.kalingafellowship.org/our-partners/