Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said that in this geo-economic world, knowledge is recognised as the new engine of economic growth and social development.

Naveen was speaking at the 18th annual convocation of KIIT Deemed to be University.

He said: “In the last 25 years, KIIT has carved a niche for itself in the realm of technical and professional education in the country. It has achieved many milestones by getting prestigious national and international accreditations.”

The institution is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.

Nobel laureate Dr Rigoberta Menchú Tum, in her convocation address delivered virtually, urged the graduates to do something for those who are less privileged than them, even as they pursue their professional careers.

Member of British Parliament, UK, John Desmond Forbes Anderson (Lord Waverley), in his address, stated that India is an economic powerhouse and shares much in common with the UK. He advocated expanding the areas of cooperation between the two countries, including the Free Trade Agreement.

On the occasion, KIIT-DU conferred Honoris Causa D. Litt. degrees upon six eminent persons from across the world: Himanshu Gulati, member of Parliament, Norway; Bishow Parajuli, representative and country director, WFP India; Andreas Jahn, senior foreign policy adviser, Germany; Deepa Malik, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna and Arjuna awardee, and Paralympic Committee of India president; K. Subramanian, executive vice-chairman of AFCONS Infrastructure; and Prabodh Mohanty, managing director of SN Mohanty Group.

As many as 8,123 students received degrees at the convocation ceremony. These include 6,330 bachelors, 1,627 masters, 163 PhD, and 3 MPhil degrees.

Prof. Achyuta Samanta congratulated the batch of 2022 for their outstanding performance despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. “The university stood all along with the students in these difficult times, supporting them all the way in their quest for academic excellence,” Samanta said in his message

Medals were awarded to 71 students for their outstanding academic performances. Three students were awarded Founder’s Gold Medal for their outstanding all-round and academic performances, while 34 students were awarded Chancellor’s Gold Medal, and 30 students got Vice Chancellor’s Silver Medal.

Ashok Kumar Parija, chancellor, KIIT-DU, Prof. S. K. Acharya, pro-chancellor and Prof. Sasmita Samanta, vice-chancellor, also addressed the students.