Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning Prasanthi Nilayam courses, ranking and placement

Overview

The university hosts over 1300 undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programme students across four campuses:
For women students:

Anantapur Campus at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

For men students:

Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, at Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
Brindavan Campus, at Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka
Muddenahalli Campus at Muddenahalli, near Chickaballapur, Karnatak

The university has a merit-based open admissions policy for all, irrespective of income, religion or region.
SSSIHL provides free education to students in all programmes of study. This includes waiver of all fees- tuition, examinations, laboratory, library, sports and medical. Programmes offered include undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and research.
“Education must teach a person what life is, and what its goals are. It must purify the heart and clarify the vision. It must prevent pollution of the hand, heart and head by habits injurious to the individual, society and the nation. It must promote virtues and raise the moral and spiritual standards of the educated.”
– Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba,
Revered Founder Chancellor
A Modern Gurukula
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was founded to inculcate ethical and moral values in students. These ethics and morals form the undercurrent of every subject taught at the university. Here, the development of a student’s character is just as important as imparting knowledge.
This 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. 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.
Most students typically spend between two to five years pursuing an education at SSSIHL. As a result, what differentiates them from graduates of other universities is the transformation of their hearts, not just the training of their minds.

In January 2011, The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)—an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) that monitors and evaluates the quality of higher education in India—granted Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed to be University) re-accreditation with ‘A’ Grade and a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.63 (on a scale of 4.00). This puts SSSIHL in the top bracket of Indian universities.
Key Contributing Factors
There are several factors that have contributed to the consistent high standard of academic excellence achieved by the Institute.
Infrastructure & Facilities
From computer-aided instruction to team teaching and video conferencing, the University provides students with all amenities to excel at their studies. The University libraries house reference and other study materials to aid students in every way. Every academic department has laboratories and related facilities that complement the theoretical learning experience with the practical aspects.
Design of Academic Programmes
All undergraduate courses in the Sciences and Arts require students to study courses that are across multiple disciplines. For instance, in the first two years, a student pursuing a B.Sc. degree programme in Physics, will also study Mathematics and Chemistry with equal emphasis. This deepens students’ knowledge on subjects closely related to their core discipline.
Choice-based Credit system
Students pursuing courses in the Sciences and Management have the opportunity to choose electives, which fosters their academic development.
Question Paper Reforms
The question papers for examinations at SSSIHL are designed to cover the entire syllabus. They are not entirely memory-based and also test students’ analytical skills, and their ability to synthesize knowledge, creativity and originality.
Continuous Internal Evaluation (CIE)
CIE is a measure whereby students are evaluated on an ongoing basis throughout each semester of their studies. Unlike the End of Semester Examinations (ESE), CIE requires that students take a series of tests on a monthly basis. CIE comprises of mid-semester tests, assignments, case studies, etc. The components of CIE are designed by the faculty to ensure that students have a sound and conceptual understanding of the subject.
Experiential Learning
The University is very dedicated to the cause of transforming theoretical knowledge into skills. For students studying the Sciences, the afternoon classes are devoted to laboratory sessions. Those pursuing the Social Sciences, Arts, and Management disciplines dedicate 50% of their weekly class time learning to internalize the concepts studied. This is done through case-studies, self feedback exercises, role-plays, management games, group discussions, outdoor exercises, etc.
Research with Social Relevance
The Revered Founder Chancellor would constantly emphasise that bookish knowledge must be translated into practical knowledge that ultimately benefits society. Consequently, all research projects at SSSIHL are of social relevance, and are useful in medical diagnostics, agricultural biotechnology, governance, social responsibility, sustainable development, etc.
Many of the research projects undertaken by the departments of the University are multi-disciplinary in nature.
Mentoring System
The University has a mentoring system whereby a resident teacher mentors up to ten students every year. This helps the student to excel in both academic as well as co-curricular activities of the University. These teachers reside in the hostel or on the campus where the students live throughout the academic year. This facilitates better rapport between teachers and students, and creates an environment for the teacher to help the student in all aspects of the experience at SSSIHL.
Distinguished Visiting Faculty
Inspired by the vision of the Revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, eminent educationists and industrialists from across the globe visit the campuses every year, to share their vast teaching and industry experience with students. Thus, the teaching and research at the University is aided and enhanced on a continual basis.
Leadership by Example
The holistic evaluation system at the University incorporates both curricular and co-curricular components (such as sports, culture, service and discipline), and is designed to foster unity, teamwork and a spirit of sacrifice amongst both faculty members and students. As a result, students are consistently provided with opportunities to develop their potential for leadership, teamwork, ethical and moral behavior. A strict disciplined routine (both academic and residential), which the teachers themselves follow, sets a precendent for students to follow.