Academic

India observes the National Sports Day on August 29, honoring hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary.

The National Sports Day celebrations across the Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan, and Anantapur campuses of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning showcased a blend of sportsmanship and learning. At Prasanthi Nilayam, a series of events including cricket, football, basketball, and races took place from 25-31 August 2024, with enthusiastic participation from students and faculty. The celebrations concluded with a prize distribution ceremony recognizing the winners across the sporting events. Similarly, the Brindavan campus held competitions in badminton, tennis, and table tennis, from 27-31 August 2024 where students demonstrated remarkable skills and sportsmanship, with several finals providing thrilling moments for the participants and spectators alike.

At the Anantapur campus, the focus shifted to sports nutrition with a program titled “Optimizing Athletic Performance through Nutrition & AI,” featuring talks by experts like Dr. Geetanjali Bhide and Ms. Stuti Pahuja on the 29^th of August. These sessions offered insights into the importance of nutrition and emerging technologies like AI in enhancing athletic performance. The event highlighted the institute’s commitment to promoting holistic well-being through a combination of physical activities and educational workshops.

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The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences at SSSIHL celebrated National Nutrition Week on September 11th, 2024, under the theme “Nutritious Diet for Everyone,” as set by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The event’s guest of honor, Dr. Subba Rao Gavaravarapu, Scientist ‘F’ and Head of the Nutrition Information, Communication, and Health Education (NICHE) division at NIN, ICMR, delivered a comprehensive presentation on “Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024.” His session highlighted the evolving nutritional needs of the Indian population and introduced students to new tools such as the Nutrition Atlas and updated food labeling guidelines, which represent significant strides in public health nutrition. These advancements aim to empower individuals to make informed dietary choices.

The talk was interactive and informative, helping students grasp the critical role of a balanced diet in maintaining overall health. A community outreach initiative followed, featuring a panel discussion titled “Nutritious Diet for All,” led by department faculty and members of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). During the session, ICDS members raised questions regarding nutrition for various health conditions and deficiencies, with the panelists offering expert insights on appropriate diets for vulnerable populations.

The celebrations also featured a series of engaging club activities that blended education with entertainment, ensuring that learning about nutrition was both enjoyable and impactful for the students.

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Prof. U Suma, from the Department of Management and Commerce, and her research student, Mr. Sai Naveen R, represented Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) at the prestigious 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, held at Chicago, Illinois from 9-13, August 2024.

Their research, titled “Rationalizing Vulnerability in Leadership,” was presented in a forum that brought together distinguished academics, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the globe.

The theme of this year’s meeting, “Innovating for the Future: Policy, Purpose, and Organization,” focused on the need for business strategies to evolve in a fast-paced world. Participants were introduced to cutting-edge trends in management research, ranging from novel ideas to advanced methodologies and tools shaping the future of the discipline.

The key highlights of the conference included exposure to global insights allowing participants the opportunity to engage with the latest research and innovations in management, gaining insights from scholars and practitioner researchers worldwide, networking opportunities facilitating meaningful conversations, and exploring possibilities for future collaboration and constructive feedback on their work from peers and mentors, enhancing the depth and direction of their research.

Mr. Sai Naveen also had the unique opportunity to participate in the Doctoral Student Consortium, organized by the Academy’s Division of Organizational Behavior, Change, and Development (DIG). He benefited from interactions with global scholars and received one-on-one mentoring from experts in the field, further enriching his academic journey.

This experience served as a pivotal moment for Mr. Naveen’s PhD journey, fostering both intellectual and professional growth. It reaffirmed the significance of management research in shaping the future of global leadership and organizational change.

Special thanks are due to SSSIHL alumni, Prof. Surya Prakash Pati (Professor of OB & HR, IIM Kozhikode) and Prof. Sai Chittaranjan Kalubandi (Professor of Strategy, IIM Bangalore), whose guidance and support enhanced the quality of this research and facilitated critical networking opportunities during the meeting.

The final year MBA students from the Brindavan Campus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning undertook an enriching industrial visit to Chennai from August 11th to 15th, 2024. Their journey began with a spiritual visit to the Guindy Shirdi Sai temple, followed by a session at Sundaram.

During the visit, the students explored several leading companies, gaining insights into business operations and industrial processes. At Carborundum Universal Limited, they learned about abrasives manufacturing and TQM practices. The visit to ZF Rane Automotive provided a hands-on understanding of power steering and assembly lines, with a focus on quality standards and strategic business planning tools. At Chennai Petroleum Corporation, students were introduced to refining processes, gaining a deep understanding of the petrochemical industry.

The trip concluded with networking opportunities, where alumni shared their experiences, inspiring students for their future careers. This industrial visit offered the students a blend of technical knowledge, business strategies, and networking, making it a memorable learning experience.

The report delves into the details of each visit and its impact on the student’s development.

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The 39th MBA Day was celebrated enthusiastically on 21st August 2024 at the Brindavan Campus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL). This event marked a significant occasion as we welcomed back our esteemed alumni from the batch of 1992-1994. The day was filled with nostalgia, insightful discussions, and heartfelt interactions between our alumni and current students, particularly the freshers, who gained invaluable perspectives on navigating the competitive business world.

The event commenced with a welcome address from the head of the Department of Management and Commerce, Dr. Sayee Manohar Krishnamurthy. This was followed by an inspiring inaugural address by Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor of SSSIHL.

We were honored to have our distinguished Guests of Honour, Sri Alok Ohrie, President & MD, Dell Technologies, India, and Sri R. J. Rathnakar, Managing Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, who shared their profound insights on leadership and values in the corporate world.

Our alumni, Sri Pushkaraj Gumaste, Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Barclays Bank PLC, and Sri V. V. Eashwar Prasad, Head of Solutioning and Service Readiness, Ericsson India Global Services Pvt. Ltd., captivated the audience with their reflections on how the teachings of SSSIHL have shaped their professional journeys and contributed to their success.

The event was a resounding success, reinforcing the significance of SSSIHL’s values-based education in fostering ethical and capable leaders. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our speakers and participants for making the 39th MBA Day a memorable occasion.

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The Department of Management and Commerce at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Brindavan Campus, successfully hosted a comprehensive session titled “C-Suite Insights on Enterprise Risk Management” on August 9, 2024. This day-long event was meticulously designed to provide MBA and final-year B. Com (Hons.) students with an in-depth understanding of the complex domain of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).

The event commenced with an inaugural session led by Shri Rajeev Rajan, Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Commerce, who extended a warm welcome to all participants. This was followed by the inaugural address delivered by Shri Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, setting a reflective tone for the day’s proceedings.

The first expert session featured insightful presentations by Mr. Satya Pramod, CEO of KayEss Square Consulting, and Mr. Sunil Shenoy, Director at KayEss Square Consulting. They offered valuable perspectives on the practical aspects of ERM in the consulting industry.

Following this, Ms. Hema Nevatia, CFO and Global Shared Services Leader at Allstate India, and Mr. Nagaraj, Finance Controller at Allstate India, shared their extensive experiences in managing financial risks within a global corporation. The next expert session was led by Mr. Shrivathsa, Global Head of Internal Audit at Wipro Enterprises [P] Ltd., who shed light on the critical role of internal audits in risk management.

The final expert session was conducted by Ms. Sandhya Sriram, Group CFO of Narayana Healthcare, who provided a unique perspective on managing risks in the healthcare industry, emphasizing the importance of strategic financial planning.

The morning session concluded with a panel discussion moderated by CA V Srinavasa Raghavan, bringing together all the distinguished speakers for a dynamic and engaging dialogue on various facets of risk management.

The afternoon session was dedicated to a series of case study discussions, moderated by CA V Srinavasa Raghavan, allowing students to apply their newly acquired knowledge in practical scenarios.

The event was a resounding success, significantly enriching the academic environment and equipping students with valuable insights into Enterprise Risk Management.

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“Swaraj Ki Oar” is a powerful narrative that delves into the deeper meaning of India’s freedom struggle by focusing on the contributions of key figures who epitomized unity, courage, and sacrifice. The story begins with a writer on a quest to capture the true essence of the freedom movement, realizing that his previous accounts lack the emotional depth and connection necessary to convey the full significance of the struggle.

The narrative unfolds through the stories of three pivotal historical figures:

Pingali Venkayya, the visionary who designed the Indian flag, is portrayed as someone who understood the need for a unifying symbol to rally the nation. His creation of the tricolor, with the spinning wheel at its center, symbolizes unity and self-reliance, embodying the spirit of the freedom movement.

Baba Ramchandra is depicted as leading the farmers of Awadh in their resistance against oppressive landlords. His leadership, fueled by the chant of “Sitaram,” ignites a movement that empowers the oppressed to rise for their rights, showcasing the strength and resolve of the common people.

Subhash Chandra Bose emerges as a leader who inspires the Indian National Army to fight for India’s independence. His story emphasizes the importance of sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the cause, highlighting the lengths to which individuals were willing to go to achieve freedom.

The drama ultimately conveys that true freedom, or “Swaraj,” extends beyond political independence—it is about mastering oneself and aligning one’s thoughts, words, and actions. Through these historical examples, “Swaraj Ki Oar” underscores that the real heroes of the freedom struggle were not just the leaders, but the ordinary people whose unity and sacrifices brought about India’s independence.

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Four students from the Actuarial stream (UG and PG) at SSSIHL participated in the 2024 CAS Student Central Mentor-led Summer Program. They were part of the 10-member team representing Panel 1: Cohort 5, which emerged victorious in this year’s international Case Competition, which was conducted as part of the program. Their team was one of the five winning teams globally.

Congratulations to all participants of the winning teams for their outstanding achievements. A special mention goes to our SSSIHL team for making us proud:

• Arunachala Mudigonda – BS ADS – I UG
• Manan Luthra – MSc Mathematics (Actuarial Stream) – II PG
• Pranavchandra Vivekananda – BSc MES (Actuarial Stream) – III UG
• Sai Kartheek Cherukuri – MSc Mathematics (Actuarial Stream) – II PG

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These students excelled in analyzing a complex real-world business problem and presented their findings to senior actuaries in the USA, who judged their team as one of the top five winners internationally. Each team will receive a $500 gift card as a winning prize from the CAS.

The CAS Student Central Summer Program is an eight-week interactive professional and educational experience offered by the Casualty Actuarial Society. During these 8 weeks, participants will complete modules on Property and Casualty Basics, Excel, Data Visualization, Ratemaking, Reserving, Predictive Modeling, Soft Skills, and a Property and Casualty Case Competition. The program is designed and taught by practicing actuaries who are experts in the field of property and casualty insurance.

Once again, congratulations to our students for their exemplary performance and for bringing pride to SSSIHL.

Our original short video entry by the Wastewater Analysis Treatment and Energy Recovery (WATER) Lab, Department of Biosciences, has been featured in the Science in Shorts video library on the Nature Portfolio YouTube channel. This entry, part of the ‘Science in Shorts 2024 competition’ organized by Springer Nature, highlights the innovative research conducted by our team.

The video, titled ‘Our DREAM – Measuring Bacterial Electron Transfer,’ showcases the indigenously developed Dye Reduction-based Electron-transfer Activity Monitoring (DREAM) assay. It stands out among the 82 entries shortlisted from a total of 250 submissions worldwide. The video was created by Ph.D. students Mr. Shakthi Thangavel and Mr. Sahashransu Satyajeet Mahapatra, under the supervision of Dr. A. S. Vishwanathan, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences. The team dedicated their work to our Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The Science in Shorts competition, organized by Springer Nature in partnership with Merck, invited active researchers to submit one-minute videos that presented their research in an informative, engaging, and entertaining manner.

SSSIHL congratulates the team from WATER Lab for their outstanding achievement and for showcasing their excellent work on a global stage.