As highlighted in the diagram above and explained in length on our Vision, Mission & Philosophy page, the holistic development of students can only be possible in an environment that encourages the development of the student’s mind, body and spirit.

To facilitate this, the University has a compulsory residential policy for all students and doctoral research scholars. It is an essential ingredient for the University’s Values-based Integral Education to achieve its objective of transformation. The environment is similar to the ancient Indian Gurukula system of education, in a modern context. Teachers and students live and grow together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and unity. This helps students develop a wholesome and balanced personality, one where academic competence is supplemented with good character.

The Sri Sathya Sai system of Values-based Integral Education, mirrors to a large extent, the tried and tested ancient Indian gurukula system of education, of which the hostel forms a critical component. This residential component of student life is compulsory for every student admitted to SSSIHL.

Hostel Life

A lot of thought and effort has gone into evolving this system at the University over the past three decades. The philosophy is based on the approach of community living wherein each one lives for the other and all live together for a common higher cause. Students hailing from different states of India, diverse cultures and varied economic and financial backgrounds live in dormitory-styled accommodation with 10-14 students staying together in a room. The pan-Indian character of the University comes alive in the hostel. The hostel buildings too are aesthetically pleasing, thus creating a noble ambience for students to live in.

As a result, the hostel is a miniature model of the world outside with people of different habits, temperaments, lifestyles, language and outlook staying together and working. This develops the qualities of understanding, adjustment, sharing and caring amongst the students. It nurtures virtues like adaptability, tolerance and sacrifice; developing students into noble and responsible citizens.

The ambience in the hostel is suffused with both discipline and loving care. All research scholars and around one-fifth of the teaching faculty reside with the students in the hostel. The relationship between the students and teachers is very cordial and warm, and the teachers pay personal attention to the problems of each and every student. The teachers are chosen with extreme care to play an important role in this process. Many of them are alumni of the Institute, dedicated and well versed in integral education. They take active part not only in classroom instruction but also by providing help, guidance and general counselling to students whenever needed. At the hostel, they serve as facilitators and are available at all times for mentoring the students on personal and academic matters.

Personal cleanliness, punctuality and regularity, general behaviour, personal etiquette and room cleanliness – these are the major components of the discipline that is followed at SSSIHL hostels.

The hostel is also a self-sufficient unit housing all the basic necessities of the students, thus avoiding unnecessary movement of students outside the hostel premises. To minimise the possible negative influences, the students are encouraged to read inspiring literature, listen to elevating music and view meaningful audio visuals. Access to television is restricted primarily to news and informative documentaries. Weekly movie shows consist of themes such as patriotism, adventure, mythology, mystery, action and humour; and they are appropriately edited to suit the spirit of the system. The students are provided with nutritious vegetarian food.

Daily Routine

All students stay in the hostel located in the campus. The daily routine at the Hostel is designed to keep students engaged in constructive and productive activities—academic and extracurricular—throughout the day.

The day typically starts at 5:00 a.m. with a couple of hours spent in prayer, exercise and other vocational pursuits (such as practice sessions for music, band, traditional Indian instrumental music and the likes). Classes commence at 9:00 a.m.
After college ends at around 4:00 p.m., students move to the Mandir/Prayer hall for participation in congregational chanting (veda), devotional singing (bhajans) and other spiritual activities. These also include talks by eminent speakers on a variety of spiritual topics. Post dinner, students usually spend time on their studies.

Hence, Hostel, College and Mandir – these three are the key areas that make up a student’s daily routine at all the campuses of SSSIHL.

Time Spent on Integral Education by SSSIHL Students

Bhagawan Baba purposefully designed the system of Integral Education so that while students spend 60% of their time on academics (intellectual capacities), they also spend 40% time on the development of other qualities, as depicted in the diagram below.

These qualities include a spiritual awareness, cultural talents, physical capacities (sports and games) and fine tuning their higher sense of service to fellow human beings.

Outcomes

Together, these Integral Education dimensions help develop a strong character and positive qualities in students, including a broadened perspective on life, self-confidence and self-reliance, dignity of labour and respect for work, determination, dedication and commitment, sense of equanimity, creativity and innovation, teamwork, selfless service, leadership, entrepreneurship, time management and the quest for excellence.