KIIT School of

Liberal Studies

KIIT Deemed to be University

About us

KIIT School of Liberal Studies offers a flexible and interdisciplinary academic framework that brings together disciplinary knowledge, cross-disciplinary learning, research, and professional preparation. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), the curriculum integrates Interdisciplinary Courses, Major and Minor pathways, Skill Enhancement Courses, internships, research, and experiential learning, enabling students to develop disciplinary depth while pursuing academic interests across fields.

The School brings together Languages, Literature, Psychology, Sociology, Library and Information Science, and emerging digital and interdisciplinary fields, offering students the opportunity to develop academic and professional competencies relevant to diverse career trajectories. Its programmes open pathways to higher education and research, publishing and editing, media and communication, corporate communication, counselling and behavioural services, translation and language industries, library and information services, archival research and heritage management, public policy and development, government and civil services, NGOs and the development sector, digital industries, and related professional fields.

The School’s interdisciplinary academic culture is complemented by the Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, which facilitates research at the intersection of literature, language, culture, society, technology, and contemporary public life. Through research projects, colloquia, seminars, publications, and collaborative initiatives, the Centre provides an institutional platform for interdisciplinary and socially engaged scholarship.

Academic programmes across the School are connected through shared courses, faculty expertise, research initiatives, academic events, global exposure, and collaborative student activities. This integrated approach enables students to engage with multiple disciplinary perspectives, undertake research, develop transferable skills, and connect classroom learning with contemporary social and professional contexts. The School thus brings together disciplinary rigour, interdisciplinary inquiry, research engagement, and career-oriented learning within a cohesive pedagogic framework.

Vision

The School of Liberal Studies envisions cultivating intellectually curious and socially responsible individuals who harness the power of questioning and critical analysis to engage with the complexities of the contemporary world. Rooted in a deep commitment to cultural awareness, plurality, and respect for difference, the School seeks to nurture better citizens equipped with strong ethical foundations, interdisciplinary perspectives, and the professional capabilities and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to diverse global and local contexts.

Mission

  • To foster a culture of inquiry that emphasizes the power of questioning, critical thinking, and analytical rigor.
  • To promote cultural awareness and a deep appreciation of plurality and difference in a rapidly changing world.
  • To equip students with professional skills and competencies aligned with evolving academic and industry needs.
  • To nurture responsible, informed, and engaged citizens committed to ethical and meaningful contributions to society.

Our Inspiration

Our Visionary Founder
Prof. Achyuta Samanta

The School of Liberal Studies at KIIT-DU was conceived and instituted to provide the students with a wider and more humane view of the universe. The School has a distinctive quality in being based upon the principle of the universality of things that helps thoughts and understanding to transcend the borders of good to great. The school has prepared a unique road map to become one of the front ranking Schools in the country by developing multidisciplinary programmes across the disciplines of English (Humanities), Psychology, Sociology, Foreign Languages and Literature, Library Science and Digital Humanities from within the School and Public Policy, Law, Media, Film and Design from across other Schools. Special emphasis is given for nurturing aesthetic sense, ethical values and sustainable development goals.

Students are oriented for their immersion in myriad extramural activities beside academics for the complete realization of their leadership potential and developing well rounded personalities. Further cent per cent placements of students across faculties at KIIT take place due to strong Industry, academia collaboration. KIIT has the best infrastructure in the country with world class faculty, labs, capstone clubs, library, study abroad programmes & NEP-2020 complied curriculum. KIIT and KISS jointly have the best Sports Infrastructure amongst all HEIs in the country. Many Sports persons being groomed at KIIT & KISS have made their mark nationally & internationally. Recently 23 students from KIIT participated in the Olympics. As per Rankings, KIIT is ranked 201-300 in the world according to Times Higher Education Overall Impact Ranking , QS world University Rankings: Sustainability (Overall) 901-920 and NIRF University Ranking of 15. As an Institution KIIT is only -28- year old & a -21- year old University. Yet it has been accredited with an (A++) grade by NAAC till 2027. It is noteworthy that the School has also been accredited by the United Nations for the promotion of the Nelson Mandela initiative for social change. No wonder, KIIT School of Liberal Studies is the preferred destination of students who want to make a flourishing career in Liberal Arts. At KIIT, we simultaneously train our students to excel in their preferred domains & also to become responsible citizens & good human beings of whom their parents can be proud of.

Leadership

Dr. Saranjit Singh

Vice-Chancellor

 

With world-class faculty, groundbreaking research opportunities and a commitment to fostering a diverse environment of bright, talented students, KIIT is more than just a place to get an education — it’s where students pursue limitless possibilities. As the Vice Chancellor, it is my honor to invite you to join our vibrant community of learners, researchers, and innovators.

Prof. Debashis Bandyopadhyay

Pro-Vice Chancellor

KIIT School of Liberal Studies, is the appropriate place for holistic education. It is a platform to build your career, character and contacts. Here we provide a real time glocal immersion. Once you are in KIIT, you have the added advantage of engaging with sustainable social and humanitarian milieu. The multidisciplinary curriculum with the state-of-the-art labs and sports facilities helps in shaping the minds & bodies of the future leaders of the world. It is a unique experience for me to work here. I particularly mentor the academic & research activities in the schools of Liberal Studies, Public Policy, KIIT Art Academy (KAA) and Leadership. All the schools across KIIT, KISS & KIMS work together under the overarching capstone club. Nontraditional position in the job market will grow when other skills are increasingly being duplicated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Skills in critical thinking and culture that Liberal Studies provide cannot be replaced by AI. This is the School where scope for your future prosperity lies.

Prof. (Dr.) Sakshi Kaul

Dean Academics

School of Liberal Studies at KIIT is a vibrant academic space committed to nurturing intellectually curious and futureready individuals. We believe that education extends beyond disciplinary boundaries to learning critical thinking, creativity, empathy, communication skills, ethical awareness, and the ability to understand diverse human and social contexts. Education in contemporary times requires shifting from rigid knowledge memorization to dynamic, adaptable skill-building and value-driven leadership. Our endeavour is to create an academic environment where students are encouraged to question, explore, collaborate, research, and innovate. We place strong emphasis on connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences through projects, fieldwork, internships, workshops, research engagement, initiatives, and seminars, community industry institutional collaborations. The School brings together the disciplines of Psychology, Sociology, Humanities, Language and Literature, and Library and Information Science. Each department contributes a distinctive perspective while collectively enabling students to understand individuals, communities, cultures, knowledge systems, and the world around them. In the technology-driven world, liberal studies and social sciences have an important role to play in shaping thoughtful citizens and responsible professionals. We aspire to prepare our students not merely for careers, but for lifelong learning, leadership, responsible citizenship, and meaningful contribution to society. I invite prospective students to become part of an academic community where knowledge meets curiosity, learning meets purpose, and education becomes a catalyst for positive change. Lets us embark on a journey of discovery, Knowledge and transformation.

Prof. Dr. Sakshi Kaul is the Dean Academics, School of Liberal Studies, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, with over two decades of experience spanning academia, industry, training, and research. She holds a Ph.D. in Positive Psychology from the University of Delhi, along with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees (Hons.) in Psychology. Committed to lifelong learning, she has further pursued qualifications in Development Studies, Law, Environmental Sciences, Media & Communication, Book Publication, Nutrition & Health Education, Disaster Management, and is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner.

An educator, researcher, trainer, and coach, Dr. Kaul has designed and delivered leadership, emotional intelligence, and behavioural development programmes for academic institutions and corporate organizations across India. She played a key role in developing the five-day executive programme, Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence, for senior naval officers at CELABS, Kochi.

Her research interests include positive psychology, psychological interventions, environmental psychology, counselling, resilience, optimism, narcissism, relationship management, elderly care, and well-being. She has authored over 29 research papers, 7 book chapters, and has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences.

Dr. Kaul is actively involved in community engagement through collaborations with NGOs and community radio initiatives, promoting mental health awareness at the grassroots level. In recognition of her contributions, she received the WASME Award for Mental Health Awareness (2025) and was honoured with the Best Teacher Award (2021) during her tenure at G.D. Goenka University. She is the co-author of Contemporary Issues and Discussions in Law and Psychology (2024) and Human Values & Other Life Skills: A Holistic Approach (2022). A passionate writer, she is also the author of Metamorphosis, a collection of poems reflecting on life, human experiences, and psychological themes.

Orcid ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8145-9232

Scopus ID 58798921800
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58798921800

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