SRI SATHYA SAI INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING (Deemed to be University) ANNUAL REPORT 2012/13 Revered Founder Chancellor’s Message 4 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S DESK VICE-CHANCELLOR’S INTRODUCTION Prof. J Shashidhara Prasad It is heartening to mention with confidence and sincerity how our beloved Swami, the Divine Founder Chancellor has been guiding the destiny of this University, which is reflected by the great strides made over the years and the impact across the globe. We, in the administration firmly believe that we are mere instruments of the all-pervading universal consciousness – Bhagawan Baba. It is envisaged that the optimum student strength of all the campuses put together should be around 2000 with the faculty strength as prescribed by the University Grants Commission. The student strength has increased by 4% and the staff strength by 13% over the last academic year. The teacher-student ratio and the student to computer ratio are still by far the highest in the country. As per the vision of our Revered Founder Chancellor, to strengthen the research activities, the number of research scholars/fellows has increased by 30%. New programmes viz., M.Tech. in Analytical Methods and Chemical Instrumentation and Master of Financial Management have been introduced. A good number of workshops have been conducted at the University over the last academic year. These workshops bring together a large number of invited experts and eminent academicians, who, along with visiting faculty from academia and industry, have helped in the enhancement of knowledge and skills of our faculty and inspired the students. Research has been initiated in interdisciplinary thrust areas involving the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences by creating a state-of-the-art laboratory for cell culture work at the Hospital. The result of this research is expected to have a great impact in the treatment of diseases of the joints. It is also envisaged that the skills so developed will help in the pursuit of research activities in regenerative medicine. The university has established a collaboration with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), USA – a prestigious Institution of the US Government – for Nano technology based early diagnosis kits for life-threatening diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV, Dengue, etc. A number of research grants from funding agencies have been sanctioned to individual faculty members and Departments. SSSIHL Annual Report 2012/13 | 5 A good number of faculty members have been deputed to participate and present papers in conferences in India and abroad, including talks on Bhagawan and His message. New infrastructure has been created at the Prasanthi Nilayam and Anantapur campuses. The activities that were initiated by our Beloved Bhagawan have been continued as per the academic calendar, both in letter and spirit. I am sure the University will soar to greater heights worthy of its name, with the Love and Blessings of our Beloved Swami. Let us pray to Him for His blessings on all of us, to enable us to carry forward His vision and mission. PROF. J SHASHIDHARA PRASAD CONTENTS OVERVIEW Introduction 10 Distinctive Features 10 Educare - The Holistic Foundation of SSSIHL 12 1 A Sai Student 13 Sri Sathya Sai values-based Integral Education 14 YEAR IN REVIEW 2 Highlights of the year 2012/2013 18 ACADEMICS Admissions Policy 64 Courses for Admissions 64 Faculties & Departments 66 Research Thrust 67 Facilities 67 Organizational Chart 71 ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS Department of Mathematics & Computer Science 72 3 Department of Physics 88 Department of Chemistry 110 Department of Biosciences 124 Department of Home Science 136 Department of Management Studies 146 Department of Commerce 162 Department of Economics 172 Department of Education 182 Department of English Language & Literature 188 Sub-Departments and Other Languages 194 Political Science, History & Indian Culture, Philosophy, Telugu Language & Literature, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kannada APPENDICES A: University Structure 204 B: Science Colloquium 2012/13 208 C: 32nd Annual Convocation Speeches 210 D: Gold Medallists & Ph.D. Candidates 219 E: Residential Teachers at SSSIHL Hostels 221 1 OVERVIEW “Education must broaden the heart; it must expand one’s love. Fortitude and equanimity belong to the Reality in man. One must reveal this fact in every act.” Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Revered Founder Chancellor 10 1 OVERVIEW INTRODUCTION Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), with its headquarters in Prasanthi Nilayam (Andhra Pradesh) in India, is a visible manifestation of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s vision of education for human transformation. The Institute was recognised as a Deemed to be University by the Government of India in 1981. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) ranks SSSIHL amongst the top ten Universities in India (see page 18). The University hosts over 1200 students across four campuses: For Women students: z Anantapur Campus at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh For Men students: z Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, at Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh z Brindavan Campus, at Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka z Muddenahalli Campus at Muddenahalli, near Chickballabur, Karnataka Distinctive Features The key distinctive features of the University are: ADMISSIONS z Free education for all students z Merit based open admissions policy for all irrespective of income, religion or region 1 O V E R I W “Blessed indeed are the students who have had the privilege of going through an education programme which combines deep appreciation of the method of modern science and technology and the ancient Indian knowledge and wisdom accumulated over the centuries. This type of education can be a powerful means of self-perfection and social redemption.” Dr. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India SSSIHL Annual Report 2012/13 | 11 RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER z Compulsory residential character enabling translation of lessons learnt into practical skills through experiential learning z Spiritual ambience in an environment of discipline and love z Teaching faculty, research scholars and students residing in the hostel z Cultivation of the spirit of self-reliance, brotherhood and sacrifice through mentoring and personal example ACADEMICS z Curriculum rooted in Indian culture and universal brotherhood z Awareness Programmes and Moral Classes reinforcing human values z Integrated five-year programmes combining Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies for a systematic and graduated learning process z Professional programmes in Management, Technology and Education z Research with social relevance z Favourable teacher-student ratio INFRASTRUCTURE z Campuses set amidst peaceful surroundings z Spacious, elegant and aesthetically designed buildings z Well equipped, modern science laboratories and Instrumentation centres z Libraries across campuses with over 1,60,000 volumes z Computer centres with ultra-high speed broadband internet connectivity z Well-equipped Multimedia learning centres z International Centre for Sports and a Cricket stadium INTEGRAL EDUCATION z Life lessons learnt through the inspiration and message of the Revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba z Application of what is learned in daily life z Integrating human values with secular knowledge z Equal emphasis on curricular and co-curricular activities z Inculcating the spirit of self-reliance and service to society z Synthesis of science and spirituality for societal benefit 12 1 OVERVIEW Educare - The Holistic Foundation of SSSIHL The Revered Founder Chancellor says, “The term education is derived from the Latin term ‘Educare’, which means ‘drawing out’. The idea is to draw out what is already latent. Acquisition of knowledge is a worldly aspect. But what has to be discerned is the divine feeling present in the human heart... ...Secular knowledge is no doubt necessary, but its acquisition must have a fundamental (spiritual) basis. The latent powers in each student have to be brought out.” Right from its inception, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning has integrated ethics and values as the undercurrent of every subject taught at the University. Combined with academic excellence, the University provides a holistic framework of inter-personal development for its students. Its compulsory residential character trains the mind, body and spirit of the student in an environment similar to the ancient Indian ‘gurukula’ system of education, in the most modern context. The University strives at every level to blend the Academic (Secular) aspects of learning with that of Character Building (Spiritual), as depicted in the ‘Temple of Learning’ diagram. This helps students develop a wholesome and balanced personality, one where academic competence is supplemented with good character. Students – both women and men – typically spend between two to five years pursuing an education at SSSIHL. Upon graduation, they are well-qualified to find suitable employment related to their academic backgrounds. However, what differentiates them from graduates of other universities is not just the training of their minds, but also the transformation of their hearts. SSSIHL - Temple of Learning SSSIHL Annual Report 2012/13 | 13 A Sai Student In the words of the former Director General of CSIR-India, Dr. R A Mashelkar, the University strives to develop students with “innovation in the head, compassion in the heart and passion in the belly.” The objective is to achieve a balance between the head, heart and hands along with an ideal blend of ability and