GetMyUni's Verdict Sri Sri University

Preyoti Dey

“A University providing a holistic academic environment? Not so much. Yet SSU is known to teach students how to be more well-rounded spiritually and mentally. Battling harsh comments from netizens, SSU makes promising efforts to flourish in the academic and placement forefront.” 

Sri Sri University is known to provide a unique learning experience for students interested in pursuing higher studies in the fields of Yoga, Agriculture, Performing Arts, Fine Arts and more. Situated amidst the cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, SSU compasses 188 acres of land with modern classroom facilities, residential amenities and open spaces to practise meditation and other spiritual activities. 

The University tries to blend the Eastern and Western cultures through immersive programs and activities on campus. SSU alums found the culture at the University more biased towards the Eastern way of life than Western habits. This has created an uncooperative rapport between the management and students. Students are often found opposing and revolting against many strict rules and regulations laid down by the varsity. 

Meanwhile, the faculty is competent with a good grasp of the subjects at the University. However, the syllabus needs to be streamlined due to the ever-changing nature of the world and its functioning. Placements are advancing each year, with the cell working round the clock to provide students with the best industry package.

Let us probe into the various aspects and examine what makes Sri Sri University stand apart from other Indian institutions. 

Table of Contents

• A Well-orchestrated Campus
• A Standard Admission Procedure
• Lousy Academic Structure
• To What Extent is SSU Diverse & Inclusive?
• Divine Living Arrangements
• A Very Strict Dress Code
• Cracking the Code of Conduct
• Athletics and Recreation at SSU
• Slow-paced Placements
• Reasons to Choose SSU

A Well-orchestrated Campus

Sri Sri University’s expression towards its inclination toward spiritualism is very well depicted through the campus layout. While providing the latest amenities for students to excel academically, the campus also entails detailed minimalistic structures, compact lawns, well-spreading trees and flora for students to have a holistic experience. 

Students have the opportunity to avail themselves of the following facilities at Sri Sri University, which will make them feel closer to home while having an enriching experience. Smart classrooms, Residential and Dining Amenities, Extensive Library, In-house Medical Clinic, Ayurveda Hospital, Herbal Garden and Lab & Museum are some of the amenities students find uselful at the SSU campus.

Importantly, the authorities wish to give students a 360-degree experience in the world of academics, sports, spiritualism and self-development. Therefore, each student will find a supportive infrastructure to develop their interests and skills. 

Committed Security System

Sri Sri University takes student safety and security very seriously and, therefore, has created a campus which ensures the same with all necessary steps required to foster a healthy atmosphere. Some of the noteworthy measures undertaken by authorities are mentioned below.

• Efficient and effective security team keeping an eye on all campus activities. 
• Over 248+ CCTV cameras in major and minor areas in and around the campus
• A force of 68 security personnel manning all gates, hostels and main grounds.
• A patrol team of 25 security guards to ensure student and faculty safety.
• A canine team is in place to support the security measures.
• Guards are geared up with walkie-talking to respond quickly to any mishappenings. 

A Standard Admission Procedure

Students find the admission process at Sri Sri University straightforward, with a simple application form to be submitted by eligible candidates. Authorities confirm their candidature through an email and ask them to participate in further rounds such as group discussion, written tests, personal interviews or direct admissions. 

College-goers find the course fee for a few courses higher than other private colleges, given the return on investment is comparatively low. Total fees for some of the courses such as B.A.M.S, B.Sc Yoga, MA Sanskrit range from INR 50,000 to INR 11.38 Lac. 

Although the college does not have any personal scholarship schemes, students may avail national, state or UGC scholarship opportunities for financial assistance. Krishna Merit Scholarships, Yoga Krishna Scholarship are some great options for students. 

Lousy Academic Structure

Sri Sri University is lesser known for its academic exploits and more for its mentorship for students looking to build a life as a mystic guru. Even the courses offered follow a curriculum which is supposedly outdated and requires revision per the latest industry standard, especially in segments like AI, Data Science, and management. This concern has been raised by the students on various search portals online.

Although the faculty and student ratio is balanced to ensure each student is given personal attention, students feel that their academic success rests upon self-perseverance and drive. It is safe to say that while the varsity is equipped with highly efficient and capable teaching staff, the teaching methodologies used in the classroom are sub-par. 

Typically, students and teachers follow a rhythmic cycle of class discussions, practical work and library time to get the best academic results. However, there is a lack of industry exposure and field-work per a few reviews on the internet. Sri Sri University promises students robust exposure when it comes to academia, but students mostly find themselves dependent on self-directed studies. 

Strained Relationship Between Management & Students

Students of Sri Sri University have broken the internet with their complaints against the management. Allegedly, the authorities have implemented patriarchal rules in the campus, which has restricted the movement of female students in the campus beyond a certain time frame. 

Moreover, serious statements against the authorities opposing LGBTQ movements on campus have come to the surface. Although one can debate, the internet is not a reliable source of information as most reviews are published anonymously. Yet, the shower of similar complaints voicing out the constraints placed by the management is hefty.

Students have requested higher authorities to replace existing management staff with a more progressive and competent workforce to make the varsity a student-friendly campus. College-goers have expressed their need to voice out their opinions in a free environment. 

Additionally, the female student population has been distressed with the college’s impositions on the dress code in the name of ‘safety and security’. Overall, a lot of red flags have been raised against the campus management, which seems to be a big concern for future students.

To What Extent is SSU Diverse & Inclusive?

After battling heavy downpours from the students concerning homosexuality, the college has taken certain steps to make the SSU community more diverse and inclusive. First and foremost, the college is open to accepting applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, be it cultural or physical. 

A multitude of impressionable amenities have been executed to make the campus more friendly for students with physical disabilities. Some of them are, 

• Wheel-chair facilities
• Accommodative toilets for PwD students
• Ramp to the dining hall and administrative block
• Lifts in academic blocks
• Electric vehicle at no cost

Students are hopeful that the college will be mindful of the measures taken to facilitate an inclusive space for all. 

Divine Living Arrangements

Sri Sri University encourages all its enrollers to stay on the campus to fully experience and absorb the serene atmosphere of the Mahanadi. The university has 5 ultra-modern hostels, which are highly economical and are equipped with all the latest amenities for students to lead a peaceful and secure life. A few prominent features of the hostels appreciated by the students are,

• CCTV surrounded buildings
• Wi-Fi enabled
• Social Hub with TV and Indoor gaming space
• AC and Non-AC rooms
• Geyser
• RO Drinking water
• Separate boys and girls hostels
• Mess with Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Bicycles

However, students must remember that the hostel is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If availing of the accommodation, students can review the fees below.

Students have praised the clean hostel facilities of Sri Sri University, which makes their tenure at the varsity memorable. However, the mess food needs to be improved, as students are unhappy with the bland taste and variety.

A Very Strict Dress Code 

As mentioned earlier, Sri Sri University has strict specifications when it comes to its dress code. The attire to be worn by boys and girls on weekdays and weekends differs, which makes it difficult for students to keep up. Girls especially are restricted to wearing knee-length clothes, which met with resistance in the past. 

Check the below table for the dress code instructions:

Cracking the Code of Conduct

Sri Sri University requires students to maintain perfect academic conduct during their tenure at the University. Any disruptions have led to serious disciplinary actions in the past. Therefore, students are expected to maintain overall discipline and abide by the rules of the varsity. 

Students must be punctual to classes and will not be permitted to miss any lecture or session without prior permission from the HOD or warden. A mandate of 75% attendance puts pressure on students to maintain their lives outside the campus as authorities need students to be present for seminars and guest lectures, too. 

Plagiarism is a serious offence at Sri Sri University, especially when it comes to submitting research work, essays and assignments. Penalties are imposed for forging material without crediting the source. 

Other than the ones mentioned above, students may be dismissed from the college if they are found to be guilty of any academic offence such as cheating, ragging, vandalism, violence and others.

Athletics and Recreation at SSU

Sri Sri University understands the importance of sports and curricular activities in the development of student’s minds. It not only ensures physical fitness and mental strength but also makes the individuals disciplined. 

SSU has a vibrant sporting culture with an emphasis on games like cricket, basketball, football, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, lawn tennis, kabaddi etc. They also have a separate sports council who are in charge of conducting events and competitions around the year. 

Additionally, the college has many clubs to enhance self-development and learning among students. Some of the clubs students have had the chance to be members of are, 

• Arogya Yoga Club
• Birding Club
• Career Progression Mentoring Club
• Martial Arts Club
• Mental Health and Wellness Club

Apart from the clubs and sporting culture at SSU, the college also arranges buzzing events to celebrate the spirit of the University. Weekly open mic is one such event which provides students a platform to express their talents. Religious festivals, Christmas carnivals and New Year bonfire parties are the most awaited events of the year. 

Notably, students conduct a cultural fest called ‘Orion’, which is considered to be one of the top 10 youth festivals in Odisha. However, the student committee of the fest feels there is a lack of financial support from the management’s end when it comes to funding for these events. 

In-house Professional Counselling Centre “Vivechana”

Sri Sri University, being huge on mental and spiritual development, has a commendable space for students to relax and share their thoughts and worries with the professional counselling centre on campus. Led by a trained and caring team, the college provides exemplary services in the field of,

• Personal Empowerment
• Mental Confusion and General Mental Health
• Student Counselling and career counselling
• Anxiety /Stress /Anger/Depression & Addiction Management
• Sleep hygiene
• Relationship counselling
• Family counselling
• Couple Counselling
• Positive Parenting
• Maintaining Work-life balance

Students can pay a nominal charge of INR 200 to INR 400 to avail of the services on campus by simply registering themselves through the online portal.

Slow-paced Placements

Sri Sri University, established only in 2009, has a rather new placement cell which is yet to reach a certain level of excellence. Students have exclaimed on search portals that the assistance provided by the cell is inadequate, and students often choose to take up further studies or apply for jobs through external sources. 

The official website, on the other hand, states that the average placement package stands at INR 6.29 LPA, and the highest package is at INR 13.25 LPA. However, anonymous writers on certain forums deem these numbers to be fabricated, which may bring doubt in the minds of future applicants. 

SSU has been transparent about the fact that the cell is not yet equipped to provide a 100% placement due to many reasons, but specifically due to ongoing collaborative efforts, student backlogs and mid-term withdrawals. Yet the college has been graced with big companies like ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, DCB Bank, KPMG, Deloitte, Zomato and others. 

It has been brought to our notice that the placement cell is working endlessly to place students at top companies with good packages so that the gaps between the fees and the salary are bridged. 

Reasons to Choose SSU

Sri Sri University has plenty of work to do in the field of academics and management development to gain the trust of future applicants. However, there are many pros of University which outweigh the cons, as listed below.

*Source: srisriu Instagram