Author: SSSIHL

Prasanthi Nilayam, 26 February 2025:

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Prasanthi Nilayam, and Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations (SSSSO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in education, research, and community service. Rooted in the shared vision of instilling Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s values and teachings in youth, this partnership aims to foster holistic development, guiding young minds towards self-transformation and cultivating socially responsible leaders.

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration in several critical areas, reinforcing the institutions’ commitment to education, service, and research that includes socio-economic research, healthcare, rural microfinance, empowerment of weaker sections, sustainable health and well-being, and impact studies aligned with Bhagawan’s mission in education, healthcare, and societal development.

Other areas of collaboration include data & research support, joint academic programs offering Leadership certificate courses, FDPs, and MDPs for organizational members, social & inclusive development initiatives that drive positive societal change, and internship and entrepreneurship training to nurture innovation and self-reliance among students.

The MoU was formally signed on 25 February 2025 by Sri Nimish Pandya, All India President, SSSSO, and Dr. Srikanth Khanna, Registrar, SSSIHL, in the esteemed presence of Prof. B Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL at Prasanthi Nilayam.

Also present were senior members of SSSSO (India), including the Zonal Presidents Sri Anoop Saxena, Prof. Mukundan, Sri Bharat Jhawar, and Sri Narayan, along with the Conveners Prof. Yoginder Verma and Dr. Gopi Krishna Pidatala, and members of the organizing team of the Sri Sathya Sai National Leadership Programme for Self-transformation and Prof. Suma Rao, Chairperson, Centre for Sri Sathya Sai Studies, SSSIHL.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the immense potential of this collaboration, outlining the opportunities it presents in shaping the next generation of value-based leaders. Sri Nimish Pandya reaffirmed SSSSO’s commitment to supporting noble initiatives that strengthen and unify efforts across India and beyond. They also expressed gratitude to the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust for their encouragement and support in making this initiative possible.

The leaders offered the MoU at Bhagawan’s Sannidhi in Sai Kulwant Hall, seeking His divine blessings for the success of this sacred initiative.

Notes for Editors (About Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning)

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), a Deemed to be University in Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India, is one of the few institutions in the world offering values-based education to students at the University level, ever since its inception in 1981. Ethics and morals form the undercurrent of every subject taught at the institute providing its students with a holistic framework of interpersonal development combined with academic excellence. With a merit-based, open admissions policy, SSSIHL welcomes students from all backgrounds—irrespective of income, religion, or region—and provides quality education free of charge.

SSSIHL has four campuses across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, attracting students from all over India and offering a range of programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research levels.

SSSIHL also provides a strong research environment, with exceptional academic practices, that have resulted in the growth of national and international collaborations. The Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF), based at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus is one of the few facilities in the country that houses advanced Characterisation / Analytical Tools to carry out Translational Research in various areas of Science and Technology.

For further information, visit: sssihl.edu.in.

Media contact: [email protected]. Tel: +91 8555 287239

We are delighted to announce that Mrs. B. Anusha, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Anantapur Campus, has been awarded the 2nd runner-up for the Best Young Scientist Oral Presentation at the prestigious International Conference on Central Nervous System Disorders: From Mechanisms to Medicine (ICCNS-2M-2025). This esteemed event was organized by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and took place from February 17th to 19th, 2025.

Mrs. Anusha is also currently pursuing her doctoral research under the guidance of Prof. S. Venketesh and the co-guidance of Dr. Sujith Kumar, Department of Biosciences. Her acclaimed paper, titled “Neuroprotective Effects of Withaferin A as a Gsk3β Inhibitor in Huntington Disease,” showcases the innovative research being conducted in our department.

The conference successfully brought together leading scientists, healthcare professionals, and distinguished keynote speakers from around the globe, fostering invaluable discussions and collaborations in the field of brain research. The event also featured insightful panel discussions and plenary talks from distinguished neurologists and scientists worldwide.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Pallab Bhattacharya, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, NIPER, Ahmedabad, for hosting this significant event and for their continued support of our research initiatives.

Congratulations to Mrs. Anusha for her well-deserved recognition, which reflects the innovative spirit and dedication of our team!

The Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), in collaboration with Mount Carmel College, organized a three-day conference on “Eco-tourism: Harnessing Travel to Discover Nature, Promote Conservation, and Sustainable Development” from 19th to 21st February 2025 at the KSTA Auditorium, Bangalore. The conference brought together scholars, researchers, and students from diverse disciplines to discuss the role of eco-tourism in fostering environmental awareness, conservation efforts, and sustainable economic development.

As part of the conference, a Paper Presentation Competition was conducted, in which 31 teams participated, including three teams representing the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Anantapur Campus. Demonstrating their research acumen and commitment to sustainability, two of these teams secured the top honors in the competition.

Winning Teams from SSSIHL

First Prize (₹7500)

• Participants: Bhagavatula Vibhuti, Netheti Vasantha, Emani Sri Lalitha (I MSc FNS)
• Topic of Presentation: From Nature to Canvas – Crafting Sustainable Painting Paper with Dried Leaves

Second Prize (₹5000)

• Participants: Amuktha Malyada, Dr. M. R. Geetha Bala (Department of Arts and Humanities)
• Topic of Presentation: Celebrating Nature and Culture – The Role of Ecotourism, Economy, and Literature

The event provided an excellent platform for participants to exchange ideas, collaborate with experts, and explore new perspectives on eco-tourism

SSSIHL congratulates the winning teams for their outstanding achievement and their continued commitment to research that aligns with sustainable development goals.

Ms. Mounika Pandey and Prof. N. Srividya, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Anantapur campus have secured the 1st prize in the SPARK – Food Business Idea Competition, held on 8th February 2025, as part of the National Workshop on Food Business Initiative 2.0 at M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai.

Competing against 17 teams, their innovative idea featuring a spiced Ready-to-Serve (RTS) tomato-aloe beverage product distinguished them from the competition earning them the top position and a cash prize of ₹3,000.

About Food Business Initiative 2.0

The Department of Food Science at M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women organized the National Workshop, “Food Business Initiative 2.0,” on 8th February 2025. This event provided insights into key aspects of launching and managing a food business, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and skills. A highlight of the workshop was ‘SPARK,’ a food business idea competition that encouraged innovative food product development.

Dr. P. Satheeshkumar (MBBS, MS Ortho), Designated Officer of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department was the Chief Guest at the event. Over 270 participants from 14 colleges actively engaged in the sessions and competitions hosted during the workshop.

Congratulations to Ms. Mounika Pandey and Prof. N. Srividya on this remarkable accomplishment – a reflection of their hard work, creativity, and commitment to excellence in food science and nutrition.

Ms. Sake Archana, a student of I B.Sc. Biosciences and Biotechnology at SSSIHL, Anantapur campus, had the honor of speaking on the topic “Indian Culture or Western Glamour – Dilemma of Indian Youth” at the 14th Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (Indian Student Parliament) held by MIT-WPU, Pune from February 08-10, 2025.

In the initial screening, three students from the SSSIHL Anantapur Campus, Ms. Sake Archana (I B.Sc Biosciences and Biotechnology), Ms. Sanya Ahuja (II MA in English Language and Literature), and Ms. Saipriya Babu (I MA in English Language and Literature)—were selected to participate in the event, from thousands of applicants from higher education institutions across India, through a stringent screening process. Ms. Sake Archana was chosen as one of the top 6 student speakers to speak on the “Indian Culture or Western Glamour – Dilemma of Indian Youth” on Day 2 of the event.

The Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad (BCS), an annual apolitical event, aims to inspire India’s educated youth to participate in public life and contribute to nation-building. The 14th edition of BCS also explored several pressing issues relevant to the nation, including “Left, Right or Out of Sight? Ideologies in Indian Politics,” “Revadi Culture: Fiscal Burden or Necessary Support,” and “AI and Social Media – Power or Pitfall?”

The forenoon sessions featured student speakers from across the country alongside political figures, actors, youth icons, and industry leaders who shared their perspectives. The afternoon sessions, titled “Youth to Youth Connect,” focused on leadership skill development through interactive activities, discussions on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and dialogues between political leaders and students. The evening segment, “Loktantra Ka Rangmanch,” presented various dimensions of democracy and political engagement through artistic and theatrical expressions.

Ms. Sake Archana’s exceptional performance at the event stands as a testament to the high caliber of students nurtured at SSSIHL and their commitment to contributing meaningfully to society.

Watch Ms. Sake Archana Speak at the 14^th BCS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2pLEjcFEro

(Video credits: Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad)

The Department of Languages and Literature – English, Anantapur Campus conducted an online workshop titled “Research Writing” on February 8, 2025. The session was conducted by Dr. K.C. Bindu, Assistant Professor, Dr B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi.

Dr. Bindu provided a comprehensive overview of the active research process and its progression for individual students and scholars. She emphasized essential questions that researchers should consider at the onset of their projects, specifically focusing on the what, why, and how of their research journey, which helps in gaining a better understanding of their work.

Additionally, Dr. Bindu shared her insights on enhancing literature review presentations by using connecting threads to make the content engaging and comprehensible for readers. She offered practical tips on effective reading and note-taking strategies, ensuring that key details are not overlooked. She demonstrated various note-taking systems, including the Cornell method, to aid in drafting summaries.

In her concluding remarks, Dr. Bindu debunked several myths surrounding the writing process that can make research feel overwhelming. She encouraged students and scholars to recognize the importance of their work while acknowledging its challenges, urging them to engage with the perspectives of critics in their field while maintaining their voices and opinions.

The session was highly informative and interactive, equipping attendees with practical strategies to enhance their research writing skills. The Department of Languages and Literature – English expressed its gratitude to Dr. Bindu for her insightful session and acknowledged Ms. Aarthi R.M. for successfully coordinating the event.

We are delighted to announce the launch of ChampStamp, the official sports and cultural events magazine of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam campus.

The inaugural edition was released by our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, on 12 February 2025 at the campus auditorium.

ChampStamp is a reflection of the vibrant campus life, capturing the spirit of unity, discipline, and creativity that defines our community. It chronicles the transformative journey of students through various events, highlighting the shift from “I” to “We” to “He.”

More than just a magazine, ChampStamp is a tribute to the power of sports and culture in fostering teamwork, personal growth, and collective achievement. It showcases the immense talent of our students while celebrating the core values of humility, gratitude, and service that lie at the heart of SSSIHL.

The launch marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in documenting the essence of our campus life and the incredible transformations that unfold when we come together as one.

You can read the magazine here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/9413ae01aa.html

View PDF

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (DMACS), Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), successfully conducted an insightful workshop titled “Mastering Data Systems: From PostgreSQL Internals to Distributed Architectures” on February 1, 2025, at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus.

Objective of the Workshop: The workshop was designed to provide Master of Technology (Computer Science) students with an in-depth understanding of PostgreSQL internals, advanced indexing techniques, query optimization strategies, and distributed database architectures. It aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world database management challenges.

Distinguished Speakers: The event featured an esteemed panel of industry experts and academicians who shared their insights and expertise:

• Prof. Ravi Mukkamala – Professor & Chair, Computer Science, Old Dominion University, and Adjunct Faculty, DMACS, SSSIHL
• Mr. Hari Kiran – Founder, OpenSourceDB
• Mr. Suresh Chandra Dash – Senior Solution Architect, Fujitsu
• Mr. R K N Sai Krishna – Senior Staff Software Engineer, Teradata, and Alumnus, DMACS, SSSIHL

Workshop Highlights: The sessions delved into various aspects of modern data systems, including:

• The internal workings of PostgreSQL and its optimization techniques
• Advanced indexing mechanisms to enhance query performance
• Distributed database architectures and their applications in large-scale data processing

The interactive discussions and hands-on demonstrations provided students with practical insights into database management and optimization, preparing them for cutting-edge developments in the field.

Meticulously convened and coordinated by Dr. M S Srinath, Assistant Professor, DMACS, SSSIHL, the workshop, ensured a comprehensive learning experience for the participants.

The esteemed speakers were sincerely appreciated for their invaluable contributions along with the organizers and participants for their enthusiastic involvement. Knowledge-sharing initiatives such as these continue to strengthen the learning community and foster innovation in data systems enriching academic and professional growth.

View Detailed Report

Identifying the Issue

• Arjunolic acid and asiatic acid are two important bioactive compounds, however their separation is very difficult

Objective of the Research

• To develop a simple and robust chromatographic method to separate these two triterpene acids

Who should read this?

Faculty, research scholars, natural product chemists, pharmaceutical industries, and students of Medicinal and Organic chemistry

Solution

In our endeavor to develop a simple and robust method for separating arjunolic acid and asiatic acid, the heartwood of T. arjuna was powdered and extracted with ethyl acetate. The crude extract was passed through column chromatography to yield three fractions (a mixture of corosolic acid and maslinic acid, arjunolic acid and asiatic acid, and pure compound terminolic acid). The mixture of arjunolic acid and asiatic acid was passed through flash column chromatography with a varying range of solvent proportions and flow rates. This led to the separation of arjunolic acid and asiatic acid with very high purity (>99%). All the isolated compounds were characterized using UV, IR, NMR, HPLC, and HRMS. Through our method of isolation, the highly expensive Arjunolic acid (Merck 1mg ~33K, 95%) could be obtained in gram quantities at a much lesser cost (BOM for 10g for ~10K, >99%) with higher purity. We are the first to report corosolic acid, maslinic acid, and terminolic acid from Terminalia arjuna

Key Features and Benefits

• We report the first separation of arjunolic and asiatic acid in gram quantities, with a simple chromatographic technique.
• We are first to report terminolic acid, maslinic acid and corosolic acid from Terminalia arjuna.
• Cost benefit: Arjunolic acid can be obtained in gram quantities at very low cost [Merck 1mg ~33K, 95%); SSSIHL cost (BOM for 10g for ~10K, >99%)]

Impact

• Cost-effective method to get pure arjunolic acid and asiatic acid.
• Availability of arjunolic acid in large quantities enables synthesis of several new analogues that can be explored for their biological activities.

Team

Manohar Bhujel, Lakshminath Sripada, and Nageswara Rao Golakoti

Title of paper: “Development of an efficient chromatographic method for the extraction and separation of arjunolic acid and asiatic acid from the heartwood of Terminalia arjuna“

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.112778