As many as 34 faculty members from the KIIT-KISS academic community, including one from KISS Deemed to be University, have featured in the 2026 World’s Top 2% Scientists list released by Stanford University and Elsevier on Oct 8.Of the 34 faculty members included in the single-year impact list, 13 have also secured a place in the career-long impact list, which recognises researchers based on their cumulative scientific contributions and research impact over their careers.Eleven faculty members feature in both lists, highlighting their sustained research contributions as well as their impact during the latest assessment year.The Stanford-Elsevier ranking uses standardised citation indicators and research-impact metrics to identify scientists whose scholarly work has made a significant contribution to their respective fields.Inclusion of 34 faculty members in the single-year list marks a recognition of the research output of the KIIT-KISS academic community. The presence of a KISS faculty member also highlights the institution’s contribution to research and scientific scholarship.Expressing happiness over the achievement, KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta said 34 members of the academic community had earned a place in the list curated by Stanford University and Elsevier. He said the faculty members represented various scientific disciplines and their achievements were a matter of pride for the institutions.FMU faculty among top scientistsFour faculty members of Fakir Mohan University (FMU), Balasore, have also featured in the 2026 World’s Top 2% Scientists list.Prof Pankaj Kumar Parhi of the department of chemistry has featured for the seventh consecutive year, while Prof Gouranga Charan Samanta of mathematics and Dr Manojit Bhattacharya of zoology have made the list for the fifth and fourth consecutive years, respectively. Prof Manoranjan Mishra of geography has featured for the first time.Congratulating the faculty members, FMU vice-chancellor Santosh Kumar Tripathy described the achievement as a proud moment for the university. He said the recognition reflected FMU’s research quality and academic standards, and expressed hope that it would inspire students and young researchers to pursue excellence in research and innovation.Free civil services coachingKIIT Deemed to be University has launched KIIT IAS Academy (KIASA) to provide free coaching and mentorship for civil services aspirants from the KIIT and KISS community.The academy was inaugurated by KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta on Oct 8. The initiative aims to create a dedicated ecosystem to nurture young aspirants and help them prepare for the civil services examination.Samanta said quality guidance for civil services preparation had traditionally required students to travel outside Odisha. The new academy aims to make such facilities accessible closer to home, enabling aspirants to prepare with institutional support.Inspector-general of CISF Shiv Kumar Mohanka described the initiative as an effort that went beyond conventional university education. While universities typically certify students’ skills, he said, an initiative such as KIASA prepares young people for the larger responsibility of serving the nation.Bimbadhar Pradhan, director of the KIIT School of Public Policy and head of KIASA, said the academy marked the realisation of a long-standing aspiration to establish an institutional platform for civil services preparation in the region.He said KIIT had demonstrated how visionary leadership and a commitment to social welfare could create opportunities for empowerment of underprivileged sections.KIIT has partnered with TICS Eduworld LLP for the initiative.