Swami's Educational Institutions - An Overview

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A popular chronicler had once aptly observed, that Swami was indeed planning ahead for a thousand years and more by the establishment of the Sai Educational Institutions. In His benedictory discourse on the inaugural function, Swami expounded the principles and practice of true education and stated, “This is the inaugural day of our Institute. The sapling has been planted today. The students are its roots. The tree will grow majestically with branches all around; countless flowers will bloom; it will provide and promote peace and security to the world. For that to happen, students must — as roots do — remain firm and provide sustenance. I know that the roots have to be watered and I shall do it.” On another occasion Swami said that the Education system of a country, “is the bank on which the nation draws a cheque whenever it requires strong, reliable, skilled workers. If it goes bankrupt, it is a national disaster. If the system is overhauled and lubricated, the next generation is assured of good leaders, and, what are equally essential, good followers. You must learn to become a new type of leaders, leaders who have passed through the crucible of Seva as Sadhana; leaders who have passed through schools and colleges and mastered the problems of the present and future and as leaders who appreciate the traditions and culture of this great country Bharath”. Swami started the educational institutions with an agenda to evolve a new generation of leaders. Leaders who reflect the virtues of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa; and work towards global peace and harmony. These leaders are His Apostles of peace, love and harmony. The first college was started by Swami at Anantapur in 1968 for women. Almost immediately thereafter, in 1969 Swami established a college for boys at Brindavan and a decade later another in Prashanthi Nilayam. These educational institutions were established to impart secular education. These Institutions were set up with a vision for the revival of the perennial spiritual wisdom of all religions and the all round development of the students, thereby

enabling the Ultima Thule of education being the holistic and harmonious development of the human personality. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning – A Profile The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was founded on November 22, 1981, by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, as an autonomous body. It was recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the University Grants Commission (UGC), as a Deemed University way back in 1981 itself and has been admitted as a regular member of the Association of Indian Universities. The Institute s 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 and overseas

as well. In order to effectively mould the student’s personality, hostel living has been made compulsory and patterned around the ancient Gurukula style. Swami is not only the Founder of the Institute, but also its Revered Chancellor. Extremely dear to Him are the eternal principles of Sathya, Dharma, Santi, Prema and Ahimsa; all aspects of the Institute seek to reflect these noble ideals. Swami has repeatedly declared that Education is for life and not for making a living. Accordingly, class-room

work, hostel life and extra-curricular activities have all been designed to blend, mesh and to achieve a coherent development of the body, the mind and the soul of the student. The watchwords are: Duty, Discipline and Devotion. The focus is on purity, and the harmony of thought, word and deed (Trikaranasuddhi). Swami has set the goal that when the students graduate from the Institute, they should be fully imbibed with noble ideas, patriotic fervor, compassion for the downtrodden, a desire for selfless service, and above all the firm determination to uphold Sathya and Dharma by observing the twin Vedic injunctions: Sathyam Vada (Always speak the Truth)

Dharmam Chara (Always engage only in Righteous action) This Institute is committed to the responsibility of education as stated by Bhagavan: “ .... Education must teach a person what life is, and its goal. It must purify the heart and clarify the vision. It must prevent pollution of heart and hand by habits injurious to the individual, the society and the nation. It must promote virtues and raise the moral and spiritual standards of the educated. There is an ancient axiom which says education imparts humility; humility ensures credibility; credibility brings wealth; wealth induces charity; charity confers peace and joy, here and hereafter.” In practical terms, the students are always expected to: Love all and Serve all Help ever and Hurt never The Institute has several distinctive features. The more important among them are: Ø Residential character of the Institute with students and faculty staying on the Campuses. Ø 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. Ø Merit based selection through a very comprehensive testing and interviewing procedure giving adequate weightage to Intellectual attainments and intuitive insight. Ø Free Education: The Institute does not charge any type of fees—Tuition fees, laboratory fees, library fees, examination fees, caution deposit and the like. Ø English as the medium of instruction at all levels Ø 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. Ø Integrated courses of five years duration in order to promote talent. Ø

A very favourable teacher-pupil ratio for closer rapport between students and faculty. Ø 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. Anantapur Campus In June 1966, Swami was at Anantapur at the invitation of the High School for Girls. The plight of the girls who had to go to distant places for higher education and also the kind of education for which they were spending much time and money, affected Him. He resolved upon another step

in His task of Dharmasthapana; for women have been the custodians of Dharma since millennia; the cradle is the first school for the children of man. He announced that there would be a Women’s College at Anantapur soon. The Women’s College was inaugurated on 22 July 1968. Swami said “The prompting behind this college is not the search for reputation or the desire to propagate a cult, or the hope of monetary profit. Fame is a fickle figment! Reputation rots quite soon. Profit, when calculated in terms of cash, defiles. I have allowed this college to rise because it will install in the minds of the students, the ideals of Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi and Prema—ideals delineated in the Vedas, described in the Sastras, illustrated in the Epics, practiced by countless generations and confirmed by experience, as best suited for individual and social progress. Every child born in Bharath

has the right to know and benefit by this precious heritage”. “Woman is the foundation of society and her heart is the source of all virtues. I have established this institution with great hope and aspiration to inculcate morality and integrity in society and to uphold the honor of a great tradition. I aspire that the college will set high ideals in all fields of life. Those who serve and learn in this college should work together with mutual love and understanding”. The new college building was opened by Sri VV Giri, President of India, on 8 July 1971. Contact Address: Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher LearningAnantapur CampusANANTAPUR - 515 001 ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIAPhone: (08554) 272567,

Hostel: (08554) 273122 Brindavan Campus After opening a college for women, next was college for boys at Brindavan in Swami’s grand scheme of education reformation. The college was inaugurated on 9th June 1969 in Brindavan by the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Veerendra Patil. The Chief minister said “Baba has come resuscitate Dharma, which is the foundation for the welfare of humanity. Dharma insists on the supremacy of ethical and

spiritual value, and a college fostered by Baba is bound to promote these values among the youth”. Dr. VK Gokak, Vice-chancellor of University of Bangalore, to which the college was affiliated, welcomed the new addition as a “gem in the jewel crown of the Bangalore University”. “It will set the pattern for college education, not only in the academic field, but also in the ethical and spiritual fields. This is a college conceived, devised and completed by Baba’s Love, Grace and Wisdom. Brick by brick, plank by plank, He attended to every detail. It is a lesson for all who seek to do sincere loving service. Here the teachers and students have the unique chance of learning the art of achieving harmony and gaining peace, apart from the intellectual attainments which the curriculum enjoins”. The foundation stone for the new buildings was laid on 16 march 1972 on a vast piece of land adjacent to Brindavan. This building was completely planned by Swami as a unique architectural gem. These magnificent row new buildings was opened at a joyous and colourful function by Swami on 19 May 1978. Contact Address: Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher LearningBrindavan CampusKadugodi P.OBANGALORE - 560 067KARNATAKA, INDIAPhone: (080) 28452329, Hostel: (080) 28452233 Prasanthi Nilayam Campus On 28 November 1978, Baba laid the foundation-stone of Sri Sathya Sai Arts, Science and Commerce College at Prshanthi Nilayam. In the north-east corner of the site, Swami laid the first line of stones after sanctifying the spot by placing nine precious gems created by Him. The college was ingurated by Swami on 01-07-1979. Initially both Prashanthinilayam and Anantapur colleges were affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University. Swami revealed His intention to have an autonomous university at Prashanthinilayam within a year of starting

this college and affiliating all the three colleges to the new University. Lo and Behold – The New University – Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. Contact Address : Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher LearningPrasanthi Nilayam CampusPRASANTHI NILAYAM - 515 134Anantapur Dist. ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIAPhone: (08555) 287235, Hostel: (08555) 287234 Source : http://www.saistudents.org

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