Sri Sathya Sai University, Puttaparthi, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

The Sri Sathya Sai University (formerly Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning) is the university founded by Sathya Sai Baba, under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act of 1956. Sri Sathya Sai Baba is also the chancellor of the institute. There are three campuses, all in India: in the ashram Prashanthi Nilayam for men, in Whitefield for men, and in Anantapur town for women.

It is based on the gurukula system of ancient India wherein education is provided totally free from Kindergarten to Post Graduation. All the students from the first grade to the postgraduate stay in the hostel. The institute focuses on imparting value-oriented education to its students. The Sri Sathya Sai University in Prashanti Nilayam is the only one of the two colleges in India to have received an "A++" rating by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission)

History

The Sri Sathya Sai University was founded on November 22, 1981, by Sathya Sai Baba. An autonomous body, it has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the University Grants Commission (UGC), as a Deemed University vide their notification no.F9-11/81-U.3 dt.10.11.1981. The Institute has been admitted as a regular member of the Association of Indian Universities vide their letter no. Meet/Reg.Memb/86/97596 dt.20.4.1986.

The Institute which grew out of the Colleges founded earlier by the Baba at Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), Whitefield (near Bangalore, Karnataka) and Prasanthi Nilayam (Andhra Pradesh), aims at imparting integral education, development of character being considered the primary objective of education.

In practical terms, the programmes offered by the Institute seek to combine the best of both our ancient traditions, and modern advancements. While the foundations are the eternal human values, the superstructure relates to today’s Society. The Institute subscribes wholly to the concept and practice of national integration and has adopted an open admission policy, based on merit, encouraging the enrollment of boys and girls from all over the country. In order to effectively mould the student’s personality, hostel living has been made compulsory and patterned in the ancient Gurukula style

Timeline

* 22 July 1968 - Inauguration of Anantapur Campus
* 09 June 1969 - Inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Arts and Science College for men at Brindavan.
* 28 November 1978 - Baba laid the foundation-stone of the College of Arts, Science and Commerce at Prasanthi Nilayam
* 22 November 1981 - Inauguration of Deemed University
* 20 November 2000 - Inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music

{{}}== Salient features ==

The Institute has several distinctive features. The more important among them are:

* Free Education: The Institute does not charge any type of fees - tuition fees, laboratory fees, library fees, examination fees and the like.
* An open admission policy enabling students from all over the country to seek admission to various courses, irrespective of income, class, creed, religion or region, making it truly national in character.
* Merit based selection through a very comprehensive testing and interviewing procedure giving adequate weightage to intellectual attainments and intuitive insight.
* A very favourable teacher-pupil ratio for closer rapport between students and faculty.
* Residential character of the Institute with students and faculty staying on the Campuses.
* Development of Scientific Research at the doctoral level relevant to the local and national needs; introduction of educational technology through the installation of a modern space theatre in rural surroundings providing an opportunity for the students and the faculty to develop various kinds of simulation exercises and also formulate programmes of a creative and constructive character.
* Blending of value-based education with secular education.
* Integrated courses of five years duration in order to promote talent.
* Maximum number of working days, fuller utilisation of national holidays and important festivals for educational purposes and extension work.

The success of the Institute in upholding these high ideals may be judged from the fact that everything operates with clockwork precision. In particular, there is never any student unrest. Examinations are always held on schedule as announced, and the Annual Convocation of the Institute invariably takes place on November 22. Sai students are scattered throughout the globe, and wherever they are, they remain committed to the values they had imbibed while studying.

Hostel life

The Residential Hostel life is an integral part of the Institute’s academic programme. Hostel stay is compulsory for all students admitted to the Institute’s programme. Hostel life revolves basically around 3 D's - Discipline, Duty and Devotion. Where these three are concerned much is expected from students. A very high standard of discipline is demanded, which, it should be appreciated, is entirely in the interest of students. Infringement of discipline would be viewed seriously by the Hostel authorities; students must therefore ensure that there is absolutely no lapse on their part on this count.

The Hostel routine has been structured, bearing in mind Bhagavan Baba's directive that all aspects of the student's personality (i.e., body, mind and soul), should receive due and careful attention. The day begins with early rising and prayer (5 a.m.) and ends with prayer and retirement to bed (10 p.m.). During this period, time slots are reserved for various activities - spiritual, cultural, physical, academic and social. Ample scope is provided for students to give full expression to their latent talents in sports, speaking, singing, painting, dancing, etc. Students are also encouraged to participate in community-oriented activities, both in the Hostel as well as the college. Altogether, Hostel life not only complements and supplements classroom instruction, but is delicately interwoven with the latter so as to achieve a holistic moulding of the student's personality and the development of character as well. Harmonious living and the spirit of co-operation as well as selflessness are particularly encouraged.

Location
Anantapur District,
Andhra Pradesh,
India