Prasanthi Nilayam, 22 November 2024:

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), a Deemed to be University, held its 43rd Annual Convocation at the Poornachandra Auditorium, in Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, in the Divine Presence on 22 November 2024 at 10 a.m.

SSSIHL was privileged to have Honourable Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director, U.S. National Science Foundation as the Chief guest for the event.

Dr. Panchanathan is a distinguished computer scientist and engineer, serving as the 15th Director of the NSF, a $9.06 billion federal agency that advances scientific discovery and STEM education. Appointed by the U.S. President in 2019, Dr. Panchanathan has over 30 years of experience across academia, government, and innovation. At NSF, he serves on several high-profile interagency councils, including the White House CHIPS Implementation Steering Council. His illustrious career includes leading Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise, publishing nearly 500 papers, and mentoring over 150 researchers. Dr. Panchanathan has received numerous accolades, including the IEEE-USA Public Service Award. He is a National Academy of Engineering member and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. In August 2021, Dr. Panchanathan was conferred the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning for his exceptional contributions to the field of Computer Science and Engineering in the service of society.

The event commenced with a ceremonial procession led by the Registrar carrying the ceremonial mace. Dignitaries including the Chancellor, chief guest, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examinations, and members of the SSSIHL Public Charitable Trust, Executive Council, and Academic Council entered the Poornachandra Auditorium to the accompaniment of Vedic chants from the Taittiriya Upanishad. The Convocation was declared open in the Divine Voice of the Revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the Institute’s accomplishments during the academic year. Key milestones included launching five new NEP-aligned academic programmes for 2024-25 in cutting-edge fields such as Mathematical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, and Biosciences, a testament to the Institute’s focus on quality education and innovation. He celebrated the accomplishments of Sri Ayyagari Sathya Sai Srikar, who secured top ranks in GATE 2024, and a research team led by Dr. M. Meera, which won First Prize in the AICTE AMRUT competition, underscoring SSSIHL’s commitment to nurturing intellectual growth and excellence.

Prof. Prasad highlighted remarkable achievements by various departments across diverse fields. These included cutting-edge research in sustainable practices and Corporate Social Responsibility, the development of AI-based diagnostic tools for cardiac care, innovative approaches to drought mapping, and national recognition in cybersecurity, the creation of a globally recognized method to detect PET microplastics, patented pharmaceutical innovations, impactful contributions to Sustainable Development Goals in literature, advancements like AMRx^®, an AI diagnostic tool for UTIs, and pioneering neurodegenerative disease research that earned the 2024 Economic Times Healthcare Award for Best Health Technology, sustainable food solutions, such as anti-inflammatory rice varieties; gamma fluorescence probes for precise cancer surgeries; and the prestigious “TAAL-RATNA-2023” award, conferred on Sri Nishikant Barodekar, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Performing Arts.

He further announced the establishment of two new Centres of Excellence: The Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Sustainable Development and the Centre for Sri Sathya Sai Studies, as well as the launch of the official alumni association, “Sri Sathya Sai Students,” to enhance collaboration and engagement. Looking ahead, he outlined plans under the Institute’s 10-year Integrated Development Plan, including digital transformation initiatives and the Sri Sathya Sai Innovation and Research Foundation, which aims to empower students and faculty to create sustainable, technology-driven solutions aligned with the Institute’s values and societal welfare.

The grand ceremony saw the Hon’ble Chancellor, Shri K Chakravarthi, IAS (Retd.), admit 463 candidates to their degrees followed by the Vice-Chancellor administering the convocation pledge. The Hon’ble Chancellor and Hon’ble Chief Guest awarded 22 Gold Medals to students who achieved distinction in various disciplines and conferred the Ph.D. degrees to 14 doctoral research scholars with each recipient receiving a special memento blessed by the Founder Chancellor Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

In his inspiring convocation address, Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan expressed his gratitude for being part of this Divine event. Creatively expanding on the acronym “SSSIHL,” he described the alumni as Stellar minds, Selected to Serve and Impact Humanity through Love.

Reflecting on Swami’s teaching that “The End of Education is Character,” he outlined ten guiding “C’s” that encapsulate essential principles for a meaningful and impactful life, inspired by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings. The first five C’s—Convocation, symbolizing new beginnings; Curiosity, the spark for creativity; Courage/Confidence, to turn challenges into opportunities; Convergence, emphasizing the integration of varied perspectives and diverse disciplines; and Collaboration, highlighting the power of teamwork—set the stage for embracing a life of purpose and service.

The remaining five C’s centered on navigating a rapidly changing world with clarity and commitment. These included Change, the only constant, especially with technological advances like AI; Communication, to inspire through words and actions; Commitment, to transform society by uplifting lives; Conduit, embracing the role of being an instrument of the Divine; and Character, the ultimate virtue that integrates all other values. These principles guide alumni to live impactful lives rooted in love, service, and character.

Dr. Panchanathan, concluded by congratulating all the student graduates emphasizing their responsibility to serve humanity with love and uphold the institution’s values and urging them to lead lives rooted in these principles to contribute meaningfully to society.

This was followed by the Divine Benediction of our Revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. In His discourse, Bhagawan emphasized the true purpose of education: to build character, wisdom, and societal contribution, not merely to acquire degrees for personal gain. Bhagawan expressed concern over modern education, describing it as mechanical, lacking values, and fostering selfishness. He urged students to cultivate noble thoughts, join good company, and harmonize their thoughts, words, and deeds. Students were encouraged to uphold truth, righteousness, and human values, even in challenging circumstances. Education, He stressed, should inspire ideals, not desires, and guide students to become exemplary citizens who bring honor to their families, institutions, and society. Bhagawan concluded by exhorting students to lead meaningful lives, inspire their peers, and contribute positively to society.

The event concluded with the National Anthem played by the Institute’s Brass band. This was followed by Mangala Aarati to Bhagawan.

As part of the 43rd convocation, a Drama entitled “Tat Twam Asi” will also be streamed on the Prasanthi Mandir Live YouTube channel at 4.45 pm., 22^nd November 2024.

View the recording of the 43rd Annual Convocation of SSSIHL: https://www.youtube.com/live/SH5UbjrbWqA

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

Prasanthi Nilayam, 19 November 2024:

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed to be University) will hold its 43rd Annual Convocation at the Poornachandra Auditorium, Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Friday, 22 November 2024 at 10 a.m.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad will deliver the inaugural address. Honourable Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation will give the Convocation address as the Chief Guest.

The grand ceremony will see the Chancellor, Sri K Chakravarthi, IAS (Retd.), admit candidates to their undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and doctoral research degrees.

The event will be streamed Live on: Prasanthi Mandir Live – SSSMC

In the evening, the students will present a convocation drama titled “Tat Twam Asi”, which will also be streamed Live from the Sai Kulwant Hall, on the Prasanthi Mandir Live YouTube channel.

Full release to follow the events.

For further information on the event, and the schedule, visit: sssihl.edu.in

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