As part of the Centenary Celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Centre for Excellence in Mathematical Biology (CEMB) of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (DMACS) and the Department of Biosciences (DBIO), successfully organized a six-day in-person Winter School from 2-7 Dec 2024 at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus

The National Winter School for Women in AI/ML and Computational Biology (NWSW-2024) was a pioneering initiative to empower women in the interdisciplinary fields of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Computational Biology. With expert-led sessions and hands-on training, the program provided participants with a strong foundation in Mathematical Biology, Bioinformatics, Python programming, AI/ML, and Deep Learning.

The event witnessed participation from 65 attendees, including faculty, industry professionals, and students from across India, and was structured to balance theoretical insights with practical applications.

To explore the highlights, outcomes, and detailed program structure, read the full report here:

As part of the Nayi Chetna 3.0 initiative, launched under the aegis of the Ministry of Rural Development and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), the Department of Education and Gender Sensitization Cell of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) jointly organized a comprehensive Gender Awareness Programme at the Anantapur Campus. Spanning two impactful days, the events aimed to transition participants from mere awareness to actionable advocacy against gender-based violence.

Programme Overview

The initiative was designed to sensitize teaching staff, non-teaching staff, contingent staff, research scholars, and students to gender-related issues while inspiring proactive change. The programme included a poster presentation on December 19 and a Gender Awareness and Sensitization session focusing on Gender-Based Violence in the college auditorium on December 20. The event concluded with a powerful “Call to Action Against Gender-Based Violence.”

Highlights of the Programme

Day 1: Poster Presentation (December 19, 2024)

The event began with a poster presentation at the Department of Education. The posters creatively addressed critical issues related to gender-based violence, including dowry, sexual harassment, rape, trafficking, divorce, and sexual abuse. This activity fostered awareness and set the stage for deeper discussions on these poignant issues.

Day 2: Gender Awareness and Sensitization Session (December 20, 2024)

The second day of the programme featured a series of structured presentations and discussions in the college auditorium, focusing on the following themes:

• Introduction to Gender-Related Issues: The session opened with an overview of societal challenges related to gender, particularly those faced by women. Emphasis was placed on the need to address these issues to create an equitable environment for all.
• Violence Against Women: A detailed presentation on alarming statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) highlighted the urgency of combating violence against women. Participants were informed about existing societal and legal frameworks designed to protect women and the need to strengthen these mechanisms.

Contributions of Notable Women: Students shared inspiring stories of remarkable women who have significantly contributed to women’s empowerment, including – Dr. Rukmini Rao, a trailblazer in social work and women’s rights, Sonali Kapoor, an advocate for women’s health and rights, Tria Sheety, a proponent of women’s education and equal opportunities, Tarana Burke and others. These stories served to motivate participants by showcasing tangible examples of impactful advocacy.

Government Schemes for Women Empowerment: Key government initiatives aimed at empowering women were highlighted, including:

• One Stop Centre Scheme: Offering integrated support for women affected by violence
• Namo Drone: A technology-driven initiative to enhance women’s safety
• Swadhar Greh: Providing support and rehabilitation for women in distress. These schemes were presented as valuable resources for addressing women’s safety, economic independence, and social inclusion.

Call to Action: The program concluded with a resounding call to action, urging participants to raise their voices against gender-based violence. Students were encouraged to challenge traditional gender norms, advocate for women’s rights, and contribute to a society free from violence and discrimination.

Impact and Conclusion

The poster presentation and sensitization sessions provided a platform for participants to creatively and critically engage with gender-related issues. By fostering discussions on challenges and solutions, the program reinforced the importance of informed action and collective responsibility.

The “Awareness to Action” program successfully inspired participants to take concrete steps toward eradicating gender-based violence and promoting women’s empowerment. It highlighted the role of future educators and changemakers in advocating for equality and instilling societal change. The event concluded with a vote of thanks to the Ministry of Rural Development, NCTE, and institutional administrators for facilitating such meaningful initiatives.

The program’s success lies in its ability to instill a sense of urgency for action and inspire the participants to envision and contribute to a world where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality.

The Department of Management and Commerce, Brindavan Campus, in collaboration with the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), hosted an expert panel discussion on the topic: “The Critical Cog of Progress: Manufacturing, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in India” on the 14th of December, 2024. This event aimed to provide students with valuable insights into India’s manufacturing industries, innovations, and entrepreneurship landscape.

The program commenced with an invocation, seeking the divine blessings of the revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Following this, Dr. M. S. Sai Vinod, the Campus Coordinator of the Brindavan Campus, delivered the introductory address. Dr. Sai Vinod warmly welcomed the attendees and introduced the distinguished panelists for the day.

P. S. Rao, Advisor – Leadership Development, Business Excellence, Rane Group

The panel discussion featured Mr. P. S. Rao, Advisor – Leadership Development, Business Excellence, Rane Group, as the moderator. Mr. Rao began the session with a presentation that covered key aspects of the manufacturing industry, including:

• Importance of Manufacturing
• India’s Global Standing in Manufacturing
• Attractive Aspects of Manufacturing
• Challenges in Manufacturing
• Opportunities and the Brighter Side of Manufacturing

During his presentation, Mr. Rao emphasized the significance of manufacturing as a critical driver of economic progress. He highlighted India’s strides in this sector and the potential for further growth. Sri P. S. Rao, with a lot of clarity, highlighted the opportunities and challenges in the manufacturing sector by providing the latest facts and figures related to the Indian economy. Concluding his insightful presentation, Mr. Rao remarked, “We (India) are truly on a revolutionary path in manufacturing.”

L. Krishnan – Managing Director, Taegutec India Pvt. Ltd.

Another key speaker, Mr. L. Krishnan, Managing Director of Taegutec India Pvt. Ltd., delivered an informative session on the cost of production and the value stream. Mr. Krishnan explained how the cost of production is computed, stating that it is the summation of overheads, depreciation, raw materials, and small miscellaneous expenses. He further elaborated on how the value stream operates, illustrating his explanation with a detailed diagram.

The diagram presented by Mr. Krishnan outlined the key stages of the value stream: Design of Product (R&D), Raw Materials, Manufacturing, and Sales and Marketing, emphasizing the interconnected nature of these processes. Additionally, he showcased India’s economic ambitions through a roadmap that traced milestones from independence to its goal of achieving a $7 trillion economy by 2030. Mr. Krishnan highlighted that manufacturing is critical for job generation at each stage of the value chain. He emphasized that manufacturing goes hand in hand with the service industry, and this interplay and synergy help drive overall economic growth.

Yathiraj Kasal – General Manager & Business Head, Wipro 3D

Mr. Yathiraj Kasal, General Manager & Business Head, Wipro 3D, shared his experiences and insights on the Wipro Group and the transformative impact of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry.

He highlighted how Wipro 3D has contributed significantly to organizations like ISRO and other institutes through innovative 3D models.  Sri Yathiraj provided an inspiring account of innovations happening in Wipro 3D, which have supported keystone projects in India’s space and defense sectors. He noted that these innovations particularly help India reduce costs without compromising on quality, thereby setting a benchmark for the world. Mr. Kasal emphasized the growing influence of 3D printing in reshaping manufacturing processes globally.

Sachin K Jayadevaiah – Managing Director, Aspire Business Solutions

Mr. Sachin K. Jayadevaiah, Managing Director of Aspire Business Solutions, delivered an engaging presentation on his company’s unique products and innovations. He shared details about some of their notable projects, including:

1. Aspire Sprout Auto Analyser
2. Aspire Mango X-ray Machine
3. Aspire Sachet Detection Machine
4. Aspire Fruit & Vegetable Sorting Machine
5. Gherkin Sorting Machine

Mr. Jayadevaiah’s session provided insights into the practical applications of advanced technologies in the agricultural and industrial sectors. He urged students to take risks in business and life by understanding customer needs and leveraging the latest government initiatives that support start-ups. His talk was inspirational, detailing the innovative methods used in his start-up related to food technology, employing AI and IoT in manufacturing.

Key Lessons

• The pivotal role of manufacturing industries and the interplay of innovation and entrepreneurship as vital components driving the nation’s progress in contributing to the country’s development
• Valuable knowledge of the importance of manufacturing industries from experienced professionals
• Encouragement for young entrepreneurs, and students to step up and establish their ventures
• Diverse perspectives on the development and future trajectory of manufacturing industries in India

The event successfully engaged students, fostering a deeper understanding of the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the manufacturing sector. It underscored the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship as integral to India’s economic and industrial growth.

A 10-member delegation representing the SSSIHL Center of Excellence in Actuarial Data Science participated in The IFoA India Conference 2024, held from 29 November to 1 December in New Delhi. Centered around the theme ‘Actuaries of the Future’, the landmark event brought together over 500 participants, including CXOs, CEOs, senior actuaries, university leaders, actuarial professionals, and students from India, the UK, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and other South Asian countries.

The highlight of the conference was the Actuarial Innovation Challenge 2024, where the SSSIHL Actuarial Alchemist team emerged as the winner among 10 finalists selected from over 157 teams. The team, comprising Anand Sai Gosikonda, Eshwar Sai AK, and Sai Chetan Kuncham, wowed the audience with their innovative product, Micro Business Resilience Insurance, designed to safeguard small businesses against unforeseen risks.

The three-day event opened with an inspiring keynote by Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member of NITI Aayog, and featured 15 specialized workshops exploring critical topics such as Explainable AI, climate risk, IFRS 17, and actuarial leadership in the financial sector.

On 30 November 2024, Karol Gawłowski (Chair, Actuarial Data Science at IFoA), Satya Sai Mudigonda (Visiting Faculty and Coordinator, SSSIHL Center of Excellence in Actuarial Data Science), and Dr. Rohan Yashraj Gupta (SSSIHL Alumnus and qualified GI Actuary) delivered an engaging session on Explainable AI (XAI). Karol offered an insightful deep dive into SHAP techniques, while Satya Sai Mudigonda and Rohan showcased practical applications of XAI through their case study, Ayushman Bharat Pricing and Fraud Detection Models.

Adding to the institute’s proud moments, SSSIHL alumnus Sankar Krishna was awarded his Associateship Certificate at the conference.

The delegation also leveraged networking opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions with the Presidents of IAI and IFoA, as well as actuarial educators and industry leaders from organizations such as Swiss Re, Accenture, Chubb, and IRDAI. These interactions paved the way for exploring the future of actuarial education and industry best practices.

We extend our appreciation to the IFoA India team for organizing this transformative conference that brought together the best minds to shape the future of the actuarial profession.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) is proud to announce the outstanding achievements of our Actuarial Science students and alumni. Over 31 students have successfully cleared professional actuarial examinations conducted by some of the world’s most esteemed actuarial organizations:

• Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), UK
• Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), USA
• Society of Actuaries (SOA), USA

These achievements underscore the students’ exceptional hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence. SSSIHL also extends heartfelt appreciation to the faculty members for their invaluable guidance and unwavering support, which have played a pivotal role in shaping the success of these students.

We congratulate each of these achievers for setting remarkable benchmarks in their pursuit of professional excellence and extend our best wishes for a bright and successful future as they continue to shine in their actuarial careers.

SOA / CAS – (Exam FM)

• Ram Sai Deep V
• G S G S S Datta Maharaj
• Sai Shanmukha V
• Jay Singh
• Aditya Mishra
• Arihant
• Dheeraj Tata
• Prabhat Sai
• Kshamatmika Ram G
• Sai Sripad Varanasi

SOA / CAS – (Exam P)

• Eshwar Sai AK
• Anand Sai Gosikonda
• Mukund Bharadwaj
• Hemanth Kumar Gorthipalli
• Sai Hrudhay Gubba
• Gummadila Tharakeswar
• Virat K
• Sai Chetan Kuncham
• Prem Sai M
• SURYA A
• Sumukha Sreenidhi
• Lalith Aditya K
• Sai Krishna Pidduru

CAS – (Exam MAS II)

• Sai Kartheek Cherukuri
• Saiprasanna Gurumoorthy
• Swayam Kumar Patro
• Kasyap KVS

IFoA

• Rohan Yashraj Gupta, Qualified Actuary – Alumni of SSSIHL
• Shivanee Mudigonda – Qualified Actuary, Alumni of Smt. Eswaramma High School
• Divya Kartheeka Masina – Associate Actuary, Alumni of SSSIHL
• Mahadev Suresh – Associate Actuary, Alumni of SSSIHL

The Department of Performing Arts organized an enriching workshop on 21st November 2024, featuring Dr. Dwaram V J Lakshmi, a renowned Carnatic classical vocalist and former Professor & Head, of the Department of Music & Fine Arts, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), Tirupati. The session was attended by all students and faculty members of the department.

The theme of the workshop was “Evolution of Indian Music into Carnatic & Hindustani Systems – Similarities of Both Styles”. Dr. Dwaram delved into the historical and cultural journey of Indian music, tracing the evolution of its two primary streams—Carnatic and Hindustani.

Dr. Dwaram shared the rich history of Indian music, shedding light on its cultural foundations and the gradual emergence of Carnatic and Hindustani systems. Being proficient in both styles, she explained the nuances of each system, highlighting similarities and distinctions in ragas, techniques, and interpretations. The workshop was highly interactive, with Dr. Dwaram posing insightful questions to students, encouraging them to reflect and share their understanding of music.

Dr. Dwaram’s explanations were complemented by live demonstrations, making the session dynamic and engaging. The workshop emphasized the interconnectedness of Indian music, reinforcing the idea that “Music is One.” The session proved to be both academically enriching and professionally inspiring for the participants. Students and faculty left the session with a deeper appreciation of the cultural heritage of Indian music and enhanced knowledge of the similarities and distinctions between Carnatic and Hindustani styles.

The Department of Performing Arts expresses its gratitude to Dr. Dwaram V J Lakshmi for her valuable contribution. Workshops like these reaffirm the timeless essence of Indian music and inspire students to delve deeper into its profound legacy.