Life at Amrita
Nearly 13,000 students are currently enrolled in Amrita University. The student body is almost equally divided between boys and girls. Thirty percent come from states outside the location of the campus they are attending. In fact, we now have students from nearly every state in India. There are a few hundred NRI students and dozens of foreign students, so with such a diverse student body, rich sharing and learning spontaneously happen on our campuses.
Learning happens not just in the classroom at Amrita. Extracurricular activities are encouraged with students forming clubs and associations that deal with topics like astronomy, culture, dance, environment, literature, music, photograph and science.
Students are [encouraged] to become members of professional bodies such as the Association of Computer Machinery (ACM), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Society for Automotive Engineers (SAE), Computer Society of India (CSI), and Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers (IETE). Reading and discussing research papers is part of the curriculum not just at the master’s and doctoral levels, but bachelor-level students also participate.
Students are encouraged to attend conferences and present papers. For example, in November 2008, a team of nine third-year B Tech students from Amritapuri traveled to Malaysia to present their papers at the IEEE Regional Student Conference on Research and Development. One of their papers won the best paper award in the conference. Earlier, a student from the School of Business represented India at the European Market Research Conference.
Students take part in international coding contests such as Microsoft Imagine Cup, Google Prodigy Contest, IBM Great Mind Challenge, Sun Microsystems Code for Freedom and ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). Our students have won top honors in these contests, bringing laurels to the university. In 2008 the Amrita team beat 60,000 other teams to emerge as runners-up in the IBM Great Mind Challenge competition.
Hundreds of our graduating students go abroad for higher studies. They receive scholarships as well as financial aid from reputed western universities. Students apply for and receive ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) research funds and fellowships. Amrita University also awards financial aid to deserving students on a merit-cum-means basis. Slow learners are given special coaching classes.
Amrita curriculum is designed to ensure the holistic development of students. Cultural education is imparted to all students. Students receive mandatory training in yoga and meditation. Efforts are made to inculcate discipline and develop values in students so that the upcoming adult generation imbibes the culture of our country and a desire to serve society is instilled. In India there is still a large rural population that is untouched by modern technological advances. Day-to-day life for these people is not easy. Students from our campuses interact with the rural community in their neighborhoods, serving them in various ways. They have conducted computer classes for village students and have helped build compound walls and classrooms for village schools.
Our Bengaluru students have made a documentary film about the lives of slum children residing near their campus to bring awareness about their plight. Amrita students regularly participate in the service activities of the MA Math. Many are members of AYUDH (Amrita Yuva Dharma Dhara), the youth organization of the Math, and actively take part in its activities.
Today the students are at the forefront of a unique campaign initiated by our Chancellor, the Amala Bharatam Campaign, where they are leading clean-up drives, recycling efforts, composting and gardening initiatives and many other environmentally-friendly practices.
During calamities of the past decade, Amrita students have participated in the Math's rescue and relief efforts. In 2001, more than a hundred students traveled to Gujarat to serve right after the earthquake. When disaster struck closer to home in the form of a tsunami in 2004, several hundred students participated again, helping with relief and rehabilitation work.
Our Chancellor, Amma, often reminds us,"The beauty and charm of selfless service should not die away from the face of this earth. The world should know that a life of dedication is possible, that a life inspired by love and service to humanity is possible". The students of Amrita University strive to serve as loving testimonials to these inspiring words from their Chancellor.
In their first year, students from all campuses come to Amritapuri, on rotation, in order to meet Amma. During the following three or four years, they return again for several more times, and especially on Amma's birthday, large numbers arrive to participate in the celebrations. When Amma visits their cities on her annual tours, these students are in the forefront again, organizing and helping.
Cultural festivals such as Amritotsavam, Amritakalotsavam, Kalamritam are conducted at the different campuses. Students participate in bhajans, vedic chanting, and celebrate festivals in traditional ways. Every campus has an annual sports meet. There is never a dull moment on campus. Each moment brings with it new experiences and new opportunities to learn.
Over ninety percent of students stay in the hostel. A group of 20 students is assigned to a faculty member who interacts extensively and serves as their mentor. Students can approach their mentor or their hostel warden or the Department of Student Welfare that functions on every campus regarding any issue. They can even directly approach their chancellor, Amma, if required.
"Responsibility for learning belongs to the student, regardless of age," goes a popular saying. At Amrita, we train students such that their interest in learning continues as a life-long endeavor. They are given responsibility and trained to discharge it effectively. We are proud that our students utilize these opportunities fully. May they do their part with helping usher in a brighter future for the world tomorrow.
