KIIT School of Management (KSOM) Earns Prestigious Title as Odisha's Best Business School in 2023
KIIT School of Management

Date: November 15, 2023

KIIT School of Management (KSOM) has been awarded the Best Business School of Odisha, 2023 by TIMES Business Awards.

Mr. Nicolas Facino, Director Alliance française, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, presented the award to our Dean, Prof. Sumita Mishra on behalf of our school.

KIIT Ranked 6th Best Indian University in Times World University Rankings 2024

KIIT School of Management

Date: September 29, 2023

Bhubaneswar, Sept 29: The KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU) has emerged as the 6th best university in the country out of 91 institutes that featured in the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. It secured the top position in Odisha. Like every year, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings has been published and KIIT-DU has retained its position from the last year.

The University’s global ranking stood in the cohort of 601-800 as it continued to improve its overall score, reflecting its sustained focus on quality teaching, research activities and a steady rise in its global reputation. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is widely followed by academia, including students, in deciding their institute of choice for pursuing higher education.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 include 1,904 universities across 108 countries and regions. The methodology used for ranking the universities by Times Higher Education is teaching environment, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.

Academicians in the State and outside have applauded KIIT’s achievement, emphasizing its growing prominence in the higher education sector and matching the accomplishments of the legacy institutes despite being relatively new in comparison to them. They have lauded the tireless efforts of the Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr Achyuta Samanta and his visionary leadership to transform the University in a short period into a globally renowned institute.

Dr Samanta, in his comments, said the improved ranking was the result of the collective efforts of the faculties, students and staff, even as the KIIT family credited him for the success. The results of 2024 have been met with jubilation on the campus. 

KSOM organized its 14th National Finance Konclave on “Building a Sustainable Inclusive Future: A Finance Perspective”

KIIT School of Management

Date: September 27, 2023

The 14th National Finance Konclave was organized by KIIT School of Management (KSOM) on 23rd September, 2023. The theme of the conclave was " Building a Sustainable Inclusive Future: A Finance Perspective”

Dr. Shikta Singh, Convenor, set the context of the conclave. She introduced the theme, highlighting India's economic evolution and the role of sustainability in our journey. She emphasized on India's vast market potential, digital payment growth and financial inclusion with sustainability as a guiding principle.

Dr. Sumita Mishra, Dean, KSOM, extended a warm welcome on behalf of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Hon’ble Founder of KIIT & KISS. She introduced the corporate leaders, emphasized the conclave's significance, and stressed on the growing importance of sustainability in the post-pandemic era.

Dr. Tapan Kumar Panda, Pro-Vice Chancellor of KSOM & KSRM, delivered an insightful speech on sustainability, inclusivity, and industry perspectives. He highlighted a CFOs' crucial role in achieving ESG goals and stressed on the strategic significance of sustainability. Dr. Panda discussed the transformation of health crises into economic challenges and encouraged sharing insights on technology's role in mitigating shocks while bridging classroom learning with corporate practices.

Dr. Kumar Mohanty, Director - Corporate Relations, KIIT DU gave the Vote of Thanks

The inaugural session was followed by two panel discussions. The first panel discussion was on the topic: Sustainability, Fin-Tech and Financial Inclusion. The esteemed panellists were Mr. Gopal Sharma (Moderator), Chief Financial Officer, NASSCOM; Mr. Dev Tripathy, Director Finance, Philips; Mr. Amit Poddar, Chief Financial Officer, India Power; Mr. Chirag Bhatt, Indirect Taxation Head, Aditya Birla Group and Mr. Ackash Mital, Chief Financial Officer, Fiat India. The panel discussed on the importance of sustainable technology in shaping our future, stressing the need to predict demand, consume wisely, and optimize logistics, while holding ourselves responsible for environmental sustainability. They emphasized on the importance of ESG in sustainability, expressing deep concern about the environment and the adverse effects of overusing resources. The panel highlighted the interdependence of economic expansion, financial inclusion, and sustainability, and the role of modern finance in harnessing technology to integrate these aspects. The panel concurred that government and corporate commitments to sustainability is critical along with the need for cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions.

The second panel discussion was on the topic – Resilience for Sustainable Inclusive Growth – Industry Perspectives. The respected panellists were Ms. Sandhya J (Moderator), Chief Financial Officer, Narayana Health; Mr. T. N. Sivasubramanian, Chief Financial Officer, Shibaura Machine India Pvt. Ltd. (Toshiba); Mr. Amit Tripathi, Chief Investment Officer-Fixed Income, Nippon MF and Mr. Kumar Ayashkanta, Group Chief Investment Officer, Wipro Enterprise. The panel highlighted India's economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and financial inclusion in the manufacturing industry. They discussed on the changing dynamics in the manufacturing sector, focusing on cash conversion and the role of MSME vendors, especially within 'Make in India’. The panel offered insights on diverse topics including green bonds, economic resilience, and investment potential in India while discussing profitability and financial inclusion.

The second half of the conclave consisted of seven parallel interactive workshops on topics related to: Innovative Emerging Technologies in Indian Financial System, Measuring the Pulse of Fintech Segments, ESG in India: Emphasizing Sustainability and Responsible Investing, Sustainable Finance & Green Economy, Challenges and Way Forward and Emergence of Robo-advisors and its Impact on Financial Markets.

The conclave provided students with an opportunity to interact with business leaders from the industry. The conclave created a platform to connect industry professionals, academia and students.

KSOM organized its 14th National Marketing Conclave on “Building a Sustainable Inclusive Future - Addressing Consumer Priorities in the New Era”

KIIT School of Management

Date: September 11, 2023

The 14th National Marketing Konclave was organized by KIIT School of Management (KSOM) on 9th September, 2023. The theme of the conclave was "Building a Sustainable Inclusive Future: Addressing Consumer Priorities in the New Era." This theme was chosen to reflect the growing importance of sustainability and inclusivity in Marketing. In today's world, consumers are increasingly looking for brands that are committed to these values. By focusing on sustainability and inclusivity, businesses can build a stronger relationship with their customers and create a more sustainable future for all.

Prof. Joydeep Biswas set the context of the conclave. He highlighted the importance of sustainability in marketing and the need for inclusivity on various fronts. He stressed on the importance of innovation and creativity in marketing strategies and the idea of building brands around sustainability. 

Dr. Sumita Mishra, Dean, KSOM, in her address, welcomed the guests and introduced the corporate dignitaries to the audience. She stressed how KIIT and KSOM have always been committed to sustainability and inclusivity.

Dr. Tapan Kumar Panda, Pro-Vice Chancellor, KSOM and KSRM in his speech highlighted that sustainability and inclusivity are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary concepts. He gave several examples of how businesses can make their products and services more sustainable and inclusive, such as, using recycled materials, reducing energy consumption, and making their products accessible to people with disabilities. He also spoke about the strategic challenges, frontline flexibility, and data science skills that are needed to implement sustainability and inclusivity in marketing. 

The inaugural session was followed by a Panel Discussion on the topic "Consumer Inclusivity in Digital Marketing". The panel discussed on the importance of reducing bias in organizations and the reputational risks associated with discrimination. They discussed about the challenges in the field of marketing technology, generative AI and the shift towards an "Inclusive Consumer" concept. They further emphasized on the present and future of digital media and how technology can sustain inclusivity. The panel concurred that promoting inclusivity, addressing biases, and harnessing technology is imperative for a more inclusive consumer experience in the digital marketing era.

Dr Kumar Mohanty, Director - Corporate Relations, KIIT, felicitated the guests and gave the Vote of Thanks. He emphasized that KSOM & KIIT focus on enhancing the employability of their students, with an emphasis on deployability rather than just employability. He also stressed that KIIT places a high priority on fostering collaborations with industries, considering it a crucial aspect for any global university.

The panel discussion was followed by seven parallel interactive workshops on topics related to Emerging Marketing Trends and Roles in the AI-driven Era, From Instincts to Intel: How Data Insights Can Power Smarter Content, Automation in Marketing – Are we Losing Human Touch and Driving Growth and Building Brands in a Connected World. These workshops provided participants with valuable insights and diverse perspectives in Marketing.

The conclave provided students with an opportunity to interact with business leaders from the industry. It created a platform to connect industry professionals, academia and students.

KIIT School of Management (KSOM) organized its 14th National HR Konclave 

Date: August 09, 2023

Prof. Isa Mishra, Convener, extended a warm welcome and greetings on behalf of Dr. Achutya Samanta, Hon’ble Founder, KIIT & KISS, to everyone present in the event. She introduced the esteemed corporate dignitaries and set the context for the day.

Prof. Sumita Mishra, Dean, KSOM in her welcome address highlighted the importance of annual conclaves and how it has strengthened KSOM’s corporate connect over the years. She stressed that academic industry collaboration is critical for any good B School to move forward.

Prof. Sasmita Samanta, Vice Chancellor, KIIT DU, in her address, elaborated on the importance of human rights and human dignity in this fast-paced, competitive world. She cited India as a remarkable manifestation of both. She opined that as a nation of inclusion and diversity, India creates socially conscious students, where human values are an integral part in all business strategies.

Prof. Kumar Mohanty, Director, Corporate Relations, KIIT DU, gave the Vote of Thanks. He reiterated that KSOM & KIIT always prioritize industry collaborations and it is an imperative parameter for any global University.

The inaugural session was followed by two panel discussions. The first panel discussion was on the topic – Demographic Dynamics for Increased Sustainability. Dr. Tanaya Mishra (Head HR at Endo International Plc.) was the Moderator. Other distinguished speakers were Mr. Gaurav Saini (CHRO, HMD Global Nokia APAC & MEA), Ms. Pia Shome (Chief People Officer at U Grow Capital), Mr. Ravi Kumar (CPO, Page Industries Ltd), and Mr. Somnath Bhagavatula (Vice President – HR for India & Asia Pacific Atkins). The panel highlighted the need for ambition, respect, and adaptability for achieving desired goals. They emphasized the importance of population dynamics and the elimination of biases in decision-making. The panel also advocated for skill-focused growth and data-driven insights to ensure long-term sustainability.

The second panel discussion was on the topic – Occupational Opportunities for a Sustainable Future. Ms. Richa Verma Agrawal, Head-HR Shared Services, Compliance & Process Excellence, Flipkart was the Moderator. Other esteemed panelists were Mr. Amit Kataria, CHRO, Minfy Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Mr. K A Unni Nayar, Jt. Director Manufacturing, J K Tyres, Mr. Sumit Neogi, HR Director – India, Middle East & Africa, The Lubrizol Corporation. The panel discussed about how people are at the heart of everything and that the human aspect takes precedence in all matters of life and work. Work-life balance plays an immense role in shaping and sustaining human happiness. The panel deliberated that climate change concerns although are real, organisations are taking time to change and adapt. The concept of sustainability must be embedded in the organisational culture.

The second half of the conclave consisted of eight simultaneous workshops. Designated as ‘Synergistics’ these interactive sessions were based on topics related to Equity based solutions at the workplace, HR practices in the context of Big Bang disruptions, HR – bridging gender gaps, Leadership practices to promote Inclusion and Embedding DEI culture in organizations among others.

The HR conclave provided students with an opportunity to interact with business leaders from the industry. The conclave created a platform to connect industry professionals, academia and students.

KIIT Conducts Orientation for MBA Batch 2023-25 

KSOM Bhubaneswar

Date: July 12, 2023

The MBA program of KSOM for the batch 2023-25 was inaugurated on July 5, 2023, at the 500 seater KSOM Auditorium. 

Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Honourable Founder of KIIT and KISS, along with Dr. Sasmita Samanta, VC, KIIT, Mr. Samir Panda, VP, KIIT, Cmde. Dilip Mahapata, Strategic Advisor, KIIT and Dr. Jynana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp.

Prof. Sumita Mishra, Dean- KSOM, delivered the welcome address. It was followed by the addresses of Prof. Dr. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT DU and Dr. Sasmita Samanta, Vice Chancellor, KIIT DU.

Prof. Kumar Mohanty, Director, Corporate Relations, KIIT DU, proposed the vote of thanks.

The orientation programme of the MBA batch 2023–25 commenced on July 4, 2023. It started with an ice-breaking session, conducted by Prof. Saptorshi Das and Prof. Ritika Sharma.

Cmde. D.K. Mahapatra, Strategic Advisor and Mentor, KSOM, spoke on the topic of Campus to Corporate.

This was followed by the introduction of the faculty members and an introduction to the rules and regulations of KSOM.

Dr. Isa Mishra, Chairperson of IQAC, presented program Details (Teaching, Learning, Discipline, and Mentoring at KSOM).

At the end of Day 1, a session on Institutional and Personal Branding was given by Prof. Sugato Tripathy, Head - Branding and Marketing, KSOM.