Achyuta Samanta Assumes Charge As ISCA President

Noted educationist, social entrepreneur and Founder of KIIT & KISS, Dr Achyuta Samanta, has assumed charge as the President of the prestigious Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).

He was elected to the position at the 103rd session of the Indian Science Congress in Mysuru in January. He is the President Elect for the year 2016-17 and will assume
office for the year 2017-18.

Renowned educationist, leader and institution-builder, Sir Asutosh Mookerjee was the President of the inaugural session of the Indian Science Congress in 1914. Many eminent personalities, including former Prime Ministers Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr Manmohan Singh, have held this office in the past.

"Dr Samanta is well known in the country as a dedicated educationist and social activist. He has achieved this success due to his personal efforts and struggle since his childhood. He has established two world class institutions in Bhubaneswar - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) - by his single-handed efforts and blessings of God," a statement noted.

"KIIT University is proud to have more than 40 percent of its students from West Bengal. This is a reflection of love and affection of people of West Bengal towards Dr Samanta and KIIT, for which he is deeply grateful. KISS is the largest residential institute for tribal students where more than 25,000 unprivileged tribal students are pursuing education from KG to PG free of cost," the statement added.

Dr Samanta was awarded 'Sher i-Bangla', a unique award from West Bengal on 29th April last year. He expressed his satisfaction after assuming the charge as President of ISCA at ISCA Headquarters in Kolkata. He said he will try to work more on development of science in the country.

Dr Samanta has been the member of Executive Council of ISCA since 2011. He made an example by organizing 99th Session of the Indian Science Congress in 2012, which was held in KIIT University. He has also been the member of many prestigious educational and other national level apex bodies, including UGC (2008-2014), AICTE, National Coir Board, CAPART, NCTE and members of academic councils of two Central Universities. Dr Samanta is from science background, having completed M.Sc. in Chemistry with Inorganic Chemistry as specialization. He has also obtained Ph.D. degree.

He began his career as a teacher in different colleges. Now also he is a Professor in Chemistry, besides his work in education and social sectors.

In a related development, Prof. P.P. Mathur, VC, KIIT University has been elected as the General Secretary of ISCA for the year 2016-19. It is rare for two persons from a single University to be elected as president and secretary of ISCA, which is the oldest association of science academicians and scientists of India.