Dr. Achyuta Samanta Receives Major International Honours
Dr. Achyuta Samanta earns honorary citizenship in Romania and multiple global awards for his work in education and social reform.
In a landmark achievement for Indian social reform and education, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT, KISS, and KIMS, has been honored with prestigious international accolades. The eminent educationist and social reformer has been conferred with Honorary Citizenship by the town of Milișăuți in Romania, marking a significant milestone in his lifelong mission of humanitarian service.
Historic Recognition in Romania
The recognition in Romania has been unprecedented. Dr. Samanta has become the first person from Odisha to receive civic honours from two different Romanian municipalities. On September 21, 2026, he was granted Honorary Citizenship by Milișăuți, which stands as the highest possible recognition a Romanian town can bestow.
In addition to this, the Municipality of Bârlad presented him with the Key to the City. This honor follows an ancient European tradition where keys were handed to individuals who earned the absolute trust of the municipality. Dr. Samanta made the visit accompanied by Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, the Ambassador of India to Romania.
"I was deeply touched by the warm welcome I received in Milișăuți, Romania. The love and warmth I received in both cities will always remain close to my heart," Dr. Samanta remarked, expressing his gratitude to the Romanian people.
Global Leadership and Educational Excellence
Dr. Samanta's impact on institution building was further recognized at the 34th CEEMAN Annual Conference in Romania, where he was named 'Leader of the Year'. The CEEMAN Champions Awards honored his extensive contributions to social development and humanitarian service. CEEMAN, headquartered in Slovenia, represents a global network of management development associations across 50 countries.
The recognition extended to the world of sports and education during the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad and Congress in Uzbekistan. Dr. Samanta was awarded the FIDE 'Education Philanthropic Award' at the Summit on Chess in Education. The award was presented by FIDE Acting President Viswanathan Anand and Deputy Chair Ms. Dana Reizniece. Following this, KIIT and KISS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIDE to expand "Chess in Education" initiatives globally.
A String of Global Accolades
The list of honors bestowed upon Dr. Samanta continues to grow, reflecting his multifaceted influence on global society. His recent recognitions include:
- Mother Teresa Award
- Professor Honoris Causa from AAB University College, Pristina
- Recognition from the City of Peja
- Medal of the President of the World Congress of Poets, awarded during the 45th World Congress of Poets in Kosovo