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The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is
perhaps one of the few institutions in the country in the field of Higher
Education which emphasise character building as much, if not more than,
mere academic excellence. It is based on Bhagawan Baba's contribution to
the world of learning in the form of Education in Human Values as extended
to Higher Education. The single golden thread that runs through the gamut
of all the activities of the Institute - curricular, co-curricular and
extra curricular, is that education is for life and not for mere living.
The uniqueness of the Institute lies in the academic environment being
suffused with pure Love, and the students being moulded in a spirit of
sacrifice and service to the community.
Baba has been stressing that
the end of education is character and that the true meaning of education
is not merely knowledge, but knowledge in action. The emphasis is on
purity and harmony of thoughts, words and action. Knowledge and skills are
imparted in the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in an
atmosphere of tenderness and intense love. The type of education provided
here is education that ensures absorption of knowledge, accumulation of
wisdom and an appreciation of the experience of ancient ideals of Sathya,
Dharma, Shanthi, Prema and Ahimsa. In the scheme of Integral Education of
the Institute, it endeavors to combine through its awareness programmes
and thoughtfully designed curricular and co-curricular programmes,
academic excellence with duty and devotion; erudition through purity and
meditation, healthfulness through yoga and service, social and national
awareness through field and project work, and a sense of unity and world
brotherhood through acquaintance with seekers of truth from all parts of
the world. The major focus at the Institute, apart from academic
excellence, is the development of character, correct attitudes and values.
Each student is assisted to conduct himself in consonance with the highest
principles of humility and integrity.
Speaking on the role of the
Educational System in building the right values, Sri Sathya Sai Baba,
Revered Chancellor of the Institute, observed as early as 25 years ago
that human values are the need of the hour - not only in educational
institutions but in every walk of life and throughout the world. Human
values cannot be promoted merely by repeating the words Sathya, Dharma,
Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa. The heart cannot be transformed by lessons in a
classroom. What is needed are the persons who will provide the stimulus
and the encouragement to bring them out. The world cannot be changed by
mere preaching. It is only through action and practical examples, in
all-educational institutions, can the impulse for change be intensified.
When teachers and elders practice disciplined and regulated life and when
human values are fully imbibed by them, the students will automatically
follow. Truth and Right Conduct should be adhered to with pure intentions.
A righteous life leads to peace. Love is to be experienced in the depths
of peace. Love should find expression in non-violence. These basic values
have to be demonstrated in action and not limited to preaching alone.
Clarifying that secularism really means equal respect for all faiths and
beliefs, Baba stated that Sri Sathya Sai Institute is truly secular in
this sense because its philosophy as well as methodology are based on
equal respect for all religions and that we are wedded to Unity and
harmony as evident from the Institute's Emblem, work ethos and content of
Courses - both curricular and co-curricular.
The medium of instruction
in this Institute is discipline; the first, second and the third languages
are love, service and Sadhana.
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