ENARADA, Bhubaneshwar , October 9, 2013:
KIIT University has started School of Architecture and Planning from this academic year. The new School was inaugurated by Shri Arun Kumar Misra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Govt. of India on October 9, 2013. The School, which has been duly recognized by Council of Architecture, Govt. of India, will impart academic programme leading to Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree with an intake of 60.
“The country needs 40,000 planners, but produces only 3000 every year. I am confident that this new initiative of KIIT University will go on to become a centre of excellence in the country”, said Shri Misra after inaugurating the School. His Ministry would be keen to collaborate with KIIT University and its sister concern, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), he said.
“I had heard a lot about KIIT, but what I have just seen here surpasses all my imaginations. It is remarkable that a single individual with no support at all could create such an elaborate institution, where each campus offers world-class facility”, he stated, adding that KIIT is unique in supplementing its educational excellence with a very strong social angle by taking care of 20000 tribal children through (KISS). This institution not only educates, but also provides quality of life to the underprivileged children at par with best public schools of the country, Shri Misra remarked.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS informed that KIIT School of Architecture and Planning was being planned for so many years. These plans were destined to be realized this year, he said, while hinting at ambitious expansion plan for the School.
This academic year the School is offering B.Arch. programme with an intake of 60, informed Prof. S. S. Ray, its Founder Director. Courses on Planning as well as Masters Degree programmes would be started in coming years, he said. Prof. Das, who is a noted architect and a product of Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai, pointed out that Odisha has a glorious architectural history. The School will focus on priority areas such as acute shortage of infrastructure in the State and cost effective housing for the poor, he added.
KIIT campuses form a “mini township”, which serves as an excellent example of architectural and town planning, stated Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS. As campuses of the University are very planned and beautifully designed, it was most appropriate to launch the School of Architecture here, said Prof. P. P. Mathur, Vice Chancellor, KIIT University. Dr. Sasmita Samanta, Registrar proposed the vote of thanks.
