Puttaparthi, 22 November 2022:
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) (Deemed to be University) held its 41st Annual Convocation in Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, in the Divine Presence on 22 November 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
The grand ceremony saw the Honourable Chancellor, Shri K Chakravarthi, IAS (Retd.), admit candidates to their degrees.
SSSIHL was honoured to have Shri Somanath S, a Distinguished Scientist, Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, ISRO, as the chief guest for the event.
Spanning a distinguished career of nearly 36 years, Shri. Somanath has made significant contribution in the area of space technology and is an expert in system engineering of launch vehicles. In his previous assignment as Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in 2018, the lead Centre of ISRO, he was responsible for Launch vehicle technology development. Under his leadership, VSSC has achieved significant feats like the Crew Escape System demonstration through the Pad Abort Test (PAT) and the launch of GSLV Mk-III M1/Chandrayaan 2. Shri. Somanath also spearheaded the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and the development of a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
The event began at 10:30 a.m. when the Chief Guest along with the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examinations, Members of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning Public Charitable Trust (PCT), the Board of Management, Directors, Deans, and Heads of Departments, entered the Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam with the Registrar of the University carrying the ceremonial mace.
Following the invocatory Veda chanting from Taittriya Upanishad, on the request of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) C B Sanjeevi, the Convocation was declared open in the Divine voice of the Revered Founder Chancellor Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor gave a glimpse of the high-quality research carried out for societal benefit by leveraging the world-class Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF) and the Central Research Laboratory (CRL) at SSSIHL. He stated that currently there are 19 ongoing research projects with an outlay of over ₹6.9 crores.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) C B Sanjeevi then went on to share a few highlights of the activities, conferences, and webinars conducted by various departments during the previous academic year. He then congratulated the faculty and students for their various academic achievements in their respective fields of study. Referring to the Actuarial Science programme run by the Institute, he said the exemplary work done by the team was recognized globally by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) in the USA. SSSIHL won the CAS University Award for 2022, the only Indian Institution to win this recognition so far since its inception. He also spoke on various research collaborations of SSSIHL and highlighted the recent ‘World Space Week’ celebrations held in Prasanthi Nilayam, in association with Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
The convocation oath was then administered by the Vice-Chancellor, after which the students who achieved distinction in various disciplines were awarded Gold Medals and the doctoral research scholars were conferred their Ph.D. degrees by the Chancellor and given special mementos blessed by the Founder Chancellor Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The Chief Guest Shri Somanath then delivered the convocation address to the students. Congratulating the graduands, he asked the students to take a moment on this momentous day to thank their family, friends, and inspiring teachers from the depth of their hearts for contributing to their all-around development as a student.
Drawing parallels to the passion and dedication that helps ISRO successfully put satellites and several objects in orbit defying distance and gravity, Shri Somanath S, believed every student could reach great heights in both personal and professional life by developing key attributes like Passion, Commitment, Excellence, Determination, Focus, and Learnability. Above all, was Humility, Honesty, and Integrity, he added.
Quoting the vision and Mission statements of SSSIHL, Shri Somanath S, said that both empathy and compassion in individuals are critical for us to thrive as a progressive society and believed the graduands who are now moulded to be professionally sound, socially responsible, and spiritually aware are ready to offer this to the world. He praised the visionary Founder chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for “igniting a revolution in the academic landscape and setting up the impeccable institution”.
Shri Somanath S, spoke at length highlighting and in praise of the Institute’s Integral Education system which aimed to provide an environment that encourages the development of the student’s mind, body, and spirit, enabling the transformation of the heart alongside the training of the mind. He asked the students to reflect upon all they have learned and to make an effort to assess their transformation as they receive their degrees.
Speaking on the role of technology in changing India’s socio-economic landscape, he said while the electronics and IT revolution has shaped the past few years till now, the future will see a fusion of many of the new emerging technologies that will define the world. Students he said must be ready to embrace change and unlearn and learn regularly to cope with the speed of technological advancement and become a nation of innovators, technology disruptors, and start-ups based on Atma Nirbhar Bharat to usher in a new technologically powerful and leading nation.
He exhorted students to aim high and dream big and drew their attention to the prevailing issues like economic crises, terrorism, climate change, and resource constraints and urged them to find impactful solutions and seek challenging opportunities and take the path less taken and make their family, teachers, and country proud.
Revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Baba in his Divine Benediction said that students must grow in wisdom and learn to discriminate between good and bad, follow the righteous path, cultivate good qualities like humility, discipline, and gratitude, and must always speak the truth. He then said that humility is the hallmark of education and education must be offered free to bring about a sacred transformation amongst students. He urged students to become men and women of great character and earn a good name and make their parents, country, and Swami proud.
The event concluded with the National Anthem and Mangala Aarati.
As part of the 41st convocation, a Drama entitled “Bangaru! – The Call of Love” will also be streamed on the Prasanthi Mandir Live channel YouTube, at 5 pm., 22 November 2022.
View the recording of the 41st Annual Convocation of SSSIHL: https://youtu.be/_6ryjlOguf4
View more pictures here.
