M S Swaminathan Research Chair to be established at KISS, Odisha

The M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) has decided to establish a Research Chair in Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed between Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Founder, MSSRF and Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS on 28th February 2016. This is the first ever initiative of MSSRF to establish Research Chair in any private institute.

As per the MoU, both organizations will work jointly for promotion of knowledge and skill empowerment for less privileged children in India. They will develop a resource centre for imparting knowledge on biodiversity and climate change to the children. Further, MSSRF and KISS will engage in food and nutrition security based on community based intervention and research.

Expressing his happiness, Prof. Swaminathan said, both the organizations have decided to promote knowledge, talent and experience in helping the underprivileged. KISS is already an agent of social transformation, having transformed lives of thousands of tribal children, he stated, adding that Dr. Samanta is a great visionary who has established a great institution like KISS singlehandedly.

“I salute this great man for his remarkable contribution to the society by establishing KISS and KIIT”, said Prof. Swaminathan, who is considered as ‘Father of Green Revolution in India’. Hunger is a great enemy of our country and we need to pull our knowledge and resources together to help poor, he emphasized, while hoping that MSSRF and KISS will begin working jointly from Koraput district.

Among others, Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS; Shri Suryakant Mohanty, COO, KISS; Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO; Dr. Sasmitarani Samanta, Registrar, KIIT University and other officials from KISS, KIIT and MSSRF were present at the MoU signing ceremony.