The City University of New York (CUNY) has established a research institute named after Indian educationist Dr Achyuta Samanta, marking the first time a US institute has been named after an Indian.
The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative CUNY Crest Institute was inaugurated on Tuesday in New York, attended by prominent academicians and dignitaries.
Dr. Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar, was also conferred CUNY’s prestigious Presidential Medal at the event.
The research centre will be dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding by supporting studies on Odisha’s vibrant artistic and cultural legacy. It will also serve as a central hub for exploring Dr Samanta’s groundbreaking contributions to tribal development and education through the KIIT and KISS institutions in Bhubaneswar.
The concept for the institute was initiated by Dr Milton Santiago, President of Bronx Community College under CUNY, following his recent visit to Odisha. Moved by Dr Samanta’s remarkable efforts in advancing education and social equity, Dr Santiago proposed naming the institute in his honor.
At the inauguration, Dr Santiago stated, “The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative will enable students from diverse backgrounds to engage with India’s tribal communities and cultural heritage, inspired by one of the world’s most impactful educational models.”
Dr Samanta expressed his gratitude, calling the honor a matter of pride for Odisha, KIIT, and KISS. He dedicated the recognition to the people of Odisha and the KIIT-KISS community.
CUNY, a 175-year-old public university with over 300,000 students across 25 colleges, serves a diverse student body from 122 countries. The naming of the institute and the Presidential Medal underscore Dr Samanta’s global influence in education and social development, particularly his efforts in uplifting marginalised communities through KISS, which provides free education to 80,000 tribal students.
