Academic

Students from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur campus, participated in the national-level presentation competition titled Climate Stories – Voices for a Sustainable Future – 2025; organized by NIT Jamshedpur, to commemorate the International Day of Clean Air. The event invited students from schools, colleges, universities, and PhD programs across India to share compelling narratives about climate change. The competition aimed to transform scientific facts into emotional stories that inspire awareness and proactive action toward sustainability, with a panel of climate experts serving as judges.

Six students from the institute submitted a video synopsis and a written abstract, addressing various themes related to climate change and sustainability. The students submitted their entries in both English and Hindi, allowing the narratives to reach a broader audience and showcasing their ability to communicate effectively in both languages. The participants were:

• Rhythm Katholia (II B.A. Economics Hons.)
• U Dhanusri (II B.Com Hons.)
• Rushita Shankar Vedula (II B.S. Biosciences Hons.)
• Lohitha Prabhakaran (II B.S. Computer Science Hons.)
• Amulya Thota (III B.S. Food and Nutritional Sciences)
• Gourika Sharma (III B.Com)

The event was conducted in two stages: the first round involved submission of a video synopsis and a short write-up explaining the intended story, while the final round required participants to present their complete stories to a distinguished jury. Out of 150 entries, 8 students were shortlisted for the final round to be held on 7^th September, 2025.

Vedula Rushita Shankar, one of the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Anantapur Campus), secured the Second Position bagging a cash award of Rs. 10,000 in the competition. 

Rushita’s story focused on the wisdom of grandparents and its relevance to today’s climate challenges. It follows a young girl reflecting on lessons about nature, respect for ecosystems, and sustainable living. A pivotal moment in the story depicts the death of a bird due to sudden weather changes, symbolizing the fragility of ecosystems under climate stress. The story concludes with a message emphasizing awareness, responsibility, and action for a sustainable future.

This achievement demonstrates how storytelling can serve as a powerful medium to raise awareness about climate change.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Prasanthi Nilayam, and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, Karnataka, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 25 September 2025 to strengthen academic collaboration and research initiatives. The MoU was exchanged between Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL, and Prof. Vidyashankar S., Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, VTU, in the presence of senior officials from both institutions. As part of the occasion, the VTU delegation also visited the Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF) at SSSIHL, where senior faculty members provided an overview of the state-of-the-art facilities and showcased ongoing research projects.

The MoU aims to strengthen academic cooperation and research collaboration between the two universities in areas of science, technology, and interdisciplinary studies.

Key Areas of Collaboration

1. Student Exchange: Short-term project opportunities (1–12 months) for SSSIHL and VTU students at each other’s institutions.
2. Specialized Courses: Credit transfer of approved courses across both institutions
3. Joint Research: Collaborative research projects supported by internal or external funding.
4. Joint Ph.D. Programs: Students may pursue joint Ph.D.s with supervisors from both institutions. VTU’s JRFs may register for Ph.D. programs at SSSIHL under joint supervision.
5. Joint Master’s Programs: Initiate a joint MS/M.Tech. programs in mutual areas of interest

A Joint Committee will be formed to work out the detailed modalities, including scope, roles, responsibilities, IPR, finances, and other conditions, ensuring flexibility to adapt and expand collaboration.

The MoU marks a significant step towards advancing academic exchange, joint research, and collaborative degree programs, opening new avenues for students and faculty of SSSIHL and VTU to engage in impactful knowledge creation and dissemination.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) and its innovation arm, the Sri Sathya Sai Research and Innovation Foundation (SSSRIF), have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthi Gram (SSSIHMS-PG) on 4 September 2025.

The collaboration, signed by Dr. Srikanth Khanna (Registrar, SSSIHL), Mr. T. L. Pavan Kumar (CEO, SSSRIF), Dr. Gurumurthy (Director, SSSIHMS-PG), and Dr. Anil Kumar Mulpur (Joint Director, SSSIHMS-PG), aims to drive innovation, research, and technology development in healthcare.

The agreement was formally exchanged between Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad (Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL), Dr. Gurumurthy (Director, SSSIHMS-PG) and Mr. T. L. Pavan Kumar (CEO, SSSRIF), in the presence of Dr. Srikanth Khanna, Dr. Anil Muli, and senior faculty members.

Key focus areas include AI/ML-driven healthcare solutions, advanced diagnostics, digital health records, cost-effective care, and student-clinician collaborative projects.

Together, the institutions strive to create impactful solutions that will enhance healthcare delivery and training while upholding the highest standards of ethics and data privacy.

On 4 September 2025, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) was privileged to host Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space, and Sri Ajay Lal, Deputy Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO.

They were received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, and the Registrar, Dr. Srikanth Khanna, at the Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF), where faculty, research scholars, Deans, and HoDs had the opportunity to present the Institute’s research and facilities.

Dr. Narayanan expressed his deep appreciation for the relevance and quality of the presentations, noting that the strong talent pool and potential at SSSIHL would undoubtedly enable the Institute to scale greater heights. He commended the social relevance embedded in each project as a step in the right direction and urged faculty members to strive to realise their fullest potential, aim for the highest laurels, and contribute meaningfully to society, in alignment with the vision of the Revered Founder Chancellor.

In the evening, Dr. Narayanan also graced the Onam Celebrations at Sai Kulwant Hall, where he delivered an inspiring address.

SSSIHL expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Narayanan for his valuable time, encouragement, and inspiring words.

View pics

View Short Video