Outreach educational activities for the wider community

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University continued its strong commitment to inclusive education and community empowerment throughout 2024. The university carried out numerous outreach programmes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on quality education, gender equality, health, environment, innovation, and partnerships. These activities not only benefited enrolled students but also engaged tribal communities, alumni, and local residents, thereby promoting holistic and sustainable social development. These initiatives are integral to the University’s mission of “Education for All” and align with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.

1. Alumni: The KISS Alumni Association serves as a continuous learning and mentoring platform. Through regular events, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, KISS fosters strong connections with its alumni, encouraging them to contribute to the wider community and engage in lifelong learning.
2. Local residents : KISS-DU’s Extension and Outreach Cell conducts regular community education and awareness drives on: Health, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and digital literacy in nearby tribal and rural villages. Vocational and skill-development workshops in partnership with local industries and government departments. Adult education and literacy campaigns targeting first-generation learners, especially women. These programmes are conducted jointly with faculty, NSS volunteers, and student SDG clubs, ensuring two-way knowledge exchange.
   1. KISS organizes free workshops, literacy drives, and skill development programs accessible to local residents and marginalized communities, promoting inclusivity and empowerment through education.
      1. Camps organized for nurturing potential youths: Camps are organized in different districts of indigenous populated districts of Odisha and other states round the year to identify potential youths who are then further trained and made more employable. In partnership with its sister organization KIIT Deemed to be University, this year 2024, these camps were conducted online and offline. Counselors available with the University identified the aspirations and talents in indigenous youths, suggested domains of training to be imparted and provided online as well as offline counseling. The training was imparted by experienced University staff members on the use of file handling, communication skills, business communication writing, basic accounting, ICT technology and Digital skills. They were also referred to the Skill Development Center for training in different schemes under Government initiatives.
      2. “International Day of Education” and “National Girl Child Day”: In January 2024, KISS-DU celebrated the “International Day of Education” and “National Girl Child Day” by organising awareness sessions on girls’ education, digital literacy, and rights of the girl child. The programme emphasised gender equality and women’s empowerment, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). It encouraged tribal girls to pursue higher education and become leaders in their communities. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-aurora-club-observes-international-education-day-and-national-girl-child-day/
         
      3. IBM SkillsBuild Programme: KISS-DU in collaboration with IBM and Bridge Institute, implemented Skills Build Change Makers initiative in 2024, a key step toward fostering the skills and leadership potential of youth across Odisha. Through this collaboration, KISS equipped its alumni and young people with the essential skills needed to thrive in the modern workforce, especially in areas such as technology, leadership, and collaboration.
         
      4. KISS-DU’s March 2024 outreach was marked by the “Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye” campaign conducted under the NSS Bureau. The programme engaged hundreds of students through rallies, quizzes, and voter-pledge events to raise civic and electoral awareness among first-time voters. It promoted responsible citizenship and youth participation in democracy, aligned with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/nss-bureau-kiss-du-organised-awareness-programme-under-mera-pehla-vote-desh-ke-liye-campaign/
         
      5. Vikshit Bharat Lecture Series
         1. Extra Mural Lecture on “Viksit Bharat@2047: India Poised for a Developed Economy” https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/viksit-bharat2047-india-poised-for-a-developed-economy-extra-mural-lecture-by-strm-kiss-du/
         2. Special Talk on “VIKSIT BHARAT@2047: A Vision for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth” https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-organizes-a-special-talk-on-viksit-bharat2047-a-vision-for-sustainable-development-and-inclusive-growth/
         3. Distinguished Invited Lecture Series #1 under Viksit Bharat@2047 https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/iqac-kiss-du-organizes-distinguished-invited-lecture-series-1-under-viksit-bharat2047/
         4. Special Talk on “Viksit Bharat @2047: Financial Literacy: Make a Right Start: Become Financially Smart”: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-organizes-special-talk-on-viksit-bharat-2047-financial-literacy-make-a-right-start-become-financially-smart/
         5. 2nd lecture under Viksit Bharat Lecture Series: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-organizes-2nd-lecture-under-viksit-bharat-lecture-series/
         6. 3rd Distinguished Invited Lecture under Viksit Bharat @2047 Banner https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-holds-3rd-distinguished-invited-lecture-under-viksit-bharat-2047-banner/
         7. “Policy Paradigm and Pedagogical Forms”- 4th Distinguished Invited Lecture under Viksit Bharat @2047 Banner: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/policy-paradigm-and-pedagogical-forms-4th-distinguished-invited-lecture-under-viksit-bharat-2047-banner/
         8. 5th Distinguished Invited Lecture under Viksit Bharat @2047 initiative. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-organizes-5th-distinguished-invited-lecture-under-viksit-bharat-2047-initiative/ Invited Lecture on “Success through Higher Education: How to become Viksit Bharat @ 2047”: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-organizes-invited-lecture-on-success-through-higher-education-how-to-become-viksit-bharat-2047/
      6. Also in March, 2024 KISS-DU hosted the Round-table of UNESCO Chairs in South Asia, fostering dialogue on Indigenous heritage and cultural preservation. The purpose of this meeting was to bolster the UNESCO Chairs network and engage in discussions regarding key priority areas for the region, as well as explore how UNESCO Chairs can contribute to these endeavours.
         
      7. In October 2024, KISS-DU organised a “Capacity-Building Workshop on Entrepreneurial Skills” in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), KIIT-TBI, and the Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The workshop trained tribal youth in resource mapping and enterprise creation, supporting SDG 8, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 10. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/capacity-building-workshop-to-empower-and-inculcate-entrepreneurial-skills-held-at-kiss-du/
         
      8. In October 2024, KISS in partnership with Jhpiego (a Johns Hopkins affiliate) launched the “THRIVE” initiative (Tribal Health Research Innovation & Vocational Empowerment). The initiative aims to create centres for Indigenous-led research, cultural preservation and youth empowerment targeted at Indigenous communities. This is a strong evidence of outreach beyond the classroom into community health, research and empowerment for tribal/youth communities. https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiit-kiss-jhpiego-launches-thrive-to-enhance-tribal-health-youth-emmpowerment/
         
      9. KISS-DU hosted “Kalinga Conversations on Indigenous Values in the Built Environment” in collaboration with the UNESCO-UNITWIN Network and others. This indicates outreach into cultural heritage / Indigenous knowledge systems, which resonates with tribal communities and local residents, and contributes to awareness and capacity building beyond the student body. The participants, including architects, scholars, and tribal representatives discussed sustainable architectural practices grounded in indigenous knowledge systems—promoting SDG 11 and SDG 17. KISS Hosts Kalinga Conversations on Indigenous Values in the Built Environment | Inclusivemuseums KISS
         
      10. On 26 September 2024, KISS-DU’s School of Comparative Indic Studies and Tribal Science and IQAC organized a lecture on “Nutritious Diet for Everyone” in the context of National Nutrition Month, emphasizing under-utilised wild edible plants and dietary diversity among adolescents from tribal areas. While targeted at the institution’s students, the theme and content address issues in tribal and Indigenous communities (nutrition, wild plants), which suggests potential outreach into those communities. KISS-DU Observes National Nutrition Month on “Nutritious Diet for Everyone” – KISS Deemed to be University
          
      11. In August 2024, the university’s Institution Innovation Council hosted a session on the ‘Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribe (VCF-ST) Entrepreneurs’. The event guided aspiring tribal innovators on accessing government financial support for startups, promoting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-institution-innovation-council-organizes-session-on-venture-capital-fund-for-scheduled-tribes/
          
   2. Patathon 2024: On 28 January 2024, the women employees of KIIT Deemed to be University and KISS Deemed to be University donned traditional sarees and took part in the “Pattathon” mini-marathon, drawing around 5,000 participants across 55 locations in Odisha including the Bhubaneswar edition, which began at Shikharchandi Temple Square and ended at the KIIT Cricket Stadium. The event, inspired by founder Achyuta Samanta, aimed to promote women’s empowerment and the mission of ‘Education for All’.  The event was also attended by women from nearby areas. This initiative strongly aligns with local community-engagement activities: it fosters gender inclusion by creating a visible, empowering platform for women in the community; promotes health and well-being through collective physical activity in a culturally resonant format; strengthens social cohesion by uniting employees, the local neighbourhood, and institutional leaders in shared purpose; and reinforces the institution’s commitment to access and equity in education by embedding the message of learning-opportunity within a high‐visibility community event.  https://kalingatv.com/odisha/over-6000-female-staff-members-from-kiit-kiss-and-kims-take-part-in-pattathon-mini-marathon/
      
   3. Kanya Kiran Programme: : Kanya Kiran is a flagship outreach campaign of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in collaboration with KIIT DU and UN Women, aimed at ending gender-based violence and promoting education and empowerment of the girl child. Conducted across Odisha, the campaign engages students, faculty, and community members through awareness drives, workshops, and cultural programmes on gender equality, rights, and safety. By reaching thousands of women and men, it fosters respect, inclusion, and social responsibility. Aligned with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Kanya Kiran exemplifies KISS-DU’s commitment to transformative, education-based community outreach.
      
   4. Cultural and Knowledge Exchange Initiatives: KISS conducts community-oriented cultural festivals and knowledge-sharing sessions, which are open to the general public, encouraging a deeper understanding of local heritage and social issues.
      1. In April 2024, KISS-DU hosted three significant events. The first was the grand celebration of tribal festivals—Sarhul, Chait Parab, and Vija Pandum—representing the Oraon, Kandha, and Koya tribes. These festivals reinforced indigenous ecological values, community unity, and inter-cultural understanding, thereby supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-organizes-grand-festivals-of-sarhul-chaita-and-vija-pandum-2024/
         
3. Support for Displaced People and Refugees: In collaboration with local NGOs, KISS extends its educational resources to displaced individuals and refugees, providing them with access to language training, vocational courses, and digital literacy programs, aiming to improve employability and community integration.
   1. Four sisters from Puri District, who were orphaned some years ago following the demise of their parents, were handed over appointment letters to three of them by the Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr. Achyuta Samanta. The appointment letters were presented in keeping with the promise made by the Founder when the sisters were hit by the greatest tragedy of their lives. The four sisters of Raghurajpur village near Chandanpur of Puri District were left destitute after the death of their parents Lakshmidhar Mahapatra and his wife. The KISS Foundation and Dr. Samanta came to their rescue after the media highlighted their plight. Dr. Samanta had promised them the necessary support for their livelihood and education. Samanta made it a point to meet the sisters regularly to inquire about their well-being and encouraged them to focus on their studies. He also provided financial assistance to help the elder sister complete their house, which was under construction under a government scheme. Keeping his promise, Dr. Samanta has provided employment to the three sisters in KISS and its sister concern KIIT University. https://news.kiit.ac.in/kiss/kiss-foundation-changes-the-lives-of-4-orphan-sisters/
   2. Sanatan Bhoi (13), Krishna Bhoi(10) & Kedar Bhoi (7) are the children of Late Premsila Bhoi of village Ranipur, GP-Jharial, Block-Bangomunda, district-Bolangir. They belong to the ST Community of Kandha. The father of the family, Late Dibakar Bhoi, a migrant labourer had passed away three years ago. Now after the death of the mother, who succumbed to a disease, the three children have become helpless & orphaned. They were living in a dilapidated building. Though the neighbours provided some support in the form of rations, it was not enough. Now the children have taken shelter in their relative grandfather’s house, & a big question mark hangs over the fate of the children. On knowing about their plight, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, eminent social activist & philanthropist on behalf of KISS Foundation has provided a financial assistance of Rs.5000/- & has assured them of continued learning at KISS, absolutely free of cost. This gesture of benevolence has earned wide appreciation from the local community.
   3. KISS Foundation has come to the rescue of Brunda Kanhar whose son lost both his hands during a bore well digging work six years back. They belong to the village- Dagaripada, of Phiringia block of Kandhamal district. The son met with with the accident by coming into contact with a live wire. Though he survived, he has been facing a lot of difficulty on losing both of his hands. He cannot earn any livelihood because of his disability. Dr. Achyuta Samanta on learning about the incident has extended a helping hand by providing financial help of Rs.2000/- per month from KISS Foundation to the helpless person. The beneficiary and his family have expressed their gratitude for this noble service.
   4. KISS Foundation has come forward to take the responsibility of two sisters, orphaned due the untimely death of their parents, Umesh Munda & Santoshini Munda. They belong to ST-Munda community of Banianidhi village of Badabahal GP, Redhakhol Block of Sambalpur district. The sisters had taken shelter in the house of their grandparent, Rengutu Munda. Dr. Achyuta Samanta on learning about their misfortune has immediately sanctioned a financial support of Rs. 4000/- & has assured them of monthly support of Rs. 4000/- for their studies & living expenses on behalf of KISS Foundation. Further they have been assured of continuing education at KISS, absolutely free of cost. Since KISS is closed now, due to the pandemic, they will be admitted on reopening of KISS as per Govt. Guidelines. Rengutu Munda & his two granddaughters are grateful for this timely support to KISS Foundation.
   5. This is the story of two minor boys viz: Jagannath and Balaram of Gahaga Narasimhapur of Kendrapara district who had lost their father some time back & were leading a pitiable life with their helpless widowed mother. On leaning about their sorrowful existence, Dr. Achyuta Samanta on behalf of KISS Foundation has decided to support the family with a financial help of Rs. 5000/- per month to take care of their living and study expenses. Immediate sanction of Rs. 5000/- was also made. The boys and their mother have seen light at the end of the tunnel and hope to continue their studies with gratefulness.
   6. This is a moving story of four helpless minor children whose mother Chandrama Pula had expired four years ago. The father had also ditched the children & was absconding. The family belong to Pulapali village of Bhojaguda GP in the Malkangiri district. The family was finding to make both ends meet having taken shelter in their paternal uncle’s house. Dr. Achyuta Samanta came to know about their plight and expressed his happiness on being informed that the children were continuing their studies despite the enormous difficulties. KISS Foundation has decided to take the responsibility of their studies & secured future. Hence an immediate monthly allowance of Rs. 5000/- was made available to the family. After KISS reopens after the pandemic, the children will be admitted as per Govt. guidelines. The four children namely Bhima Pula (Class-X), Minati (Class-VII), Sabita (Class-VI) & Shiba (Class-IV) have expressed their gratitude to KISS Foundation.
   7. Upendra Prusty used to live in Hadabai Basti, Chakeisiani, in Bhubaneswar with his family of son, daughter & wife. He used to sell vegetables to make a living. Then he started to sell snacks in the campus of the Utkal University. He passed way some time back being afflicted with a disease. He being the only bread winner in the family, it became extremely difficult to run the family for Sarojini the widowed mother. Hence, she was forced to send her minor son Amit, a student of class –IX to sell snacks in the place of his father in the University campus. Amit continued his study despite the depravity. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, being himself an alumnus of Utkal University has decided to extend a helping hand by providing a financial grant of Rs. 2000/- and assured to support his further studies on behalf of KISS Foundation. The mother Sarojini and Amit has expressed their gratefulness for this benevolence.

These outreach efforts embody KISS’s commitment to supporting and uplifting all sections of society through educational empowerment and community building.