The 53rd session of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) began at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), with Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS, receiving the ISTE Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes Dr. Samanta’s outstanding contributions to technical education and his role in advancing educational opportunities for underprivileged communities in India.

The event, hosted by KISS and supported by KIIT-DU, featured significant recognitions including the ISTE honorary fellowship bestowed upon notable individuals such as Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi; Prof. Baswaraj Gadgay, Regional Director of VTU; Rajendra Baliram Kakde, Adviser to AICTE; Dr. Anil Kumar, Senior Advisor to the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority; and Maj. Gen (Retd) Mahesh Kumar Hada.

Additionally, the ISTE Best Technical University Award was presented to the Vice Chancellor of Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU, received the ISTE National Award for Best Administrator and accepted the ISTE Best Clean and Green Campus Award on behalf of KIIT-DU.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Samanta reflected on the long-standing relationship between KIIT, KISS, and ISTE that spans over 24 years. He recounted how KIIT and KISS, established in 1997 and granted deemed university status in 2004, hosted the ISTE convention in 2001, just four years into their inception. Dr. Samanta shared that the opportunity to host the convention, despite initial surprise and reluctance, significantly elevated the status of ISTE conventions and positioned KIIT and KISS as key contributors to the technical education landscape.

The theme of this year's convention, 'Viksit Bharat 2047: Alignment with Higher Education Institutions', focuses on aligning higher education with the vision of a developed India by 2047. Dr. Samanta expressed optimism about the growth and development of the Indian education system, highlighting the increasing recognition of Indian institutions in global rankings. He emphasized the importance of the National Education Policy (NEP), asserting that its proper implementation would be instrumental in realizing the dream of a developed India.

Dr. Pratapsinh Kakasaheb Desai, President of ISTE, praised the phenomenal growth of KIIT, describing its transformation as nothing short of miraculous. He acknowledged the strong association between ISTE and KIIT and KISS, noting their significant contributions in hosting the ISTE convention four times. Dr. Desai highlighted KIIT’s progress as a model for other organizations and underscored ISTE’s role as the largest organization in technical education, with over 1.30 lakh engineering and polytechnic faculty members as life members.

The session also featured insights from Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT, who stressed the importance of the past 25 years in shaping the vision of Viksit Bharat. He emphasized the need for strategic development plans over the next 25 years to achieve this vision, aligning with the broader goals of higher education institutions in India.

The conclave included contributions from ISTE Executive Secretary S.M. Ali, alongside office bearers and members from across the country, highlighting the collaborative spirit and collective efforts towards advancing technical education in India.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta's lifetime achievements reflect his enduring commitment to education and social upliftment. His visionary leadership at KIIT and KISS has not only transformed these institutions but has also set a benchmark for educational excellence and innovation in India. The 53rd ISTE session continues to explore themes of educational alignment, innovation, and growth, with a focus on achieving a developed India by 2047 through strategic collaboration and policy implementation.