Academic Year 2024/25 Tag

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), UK. hosted the prestigious IFoA Industry–Academia Conclave at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Brindavan campus, Whitefield, in Bangalore on 21st March 2025.

This landmark event brought together over 100 students from six leading institutions —Christ University, University of Madras, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Institute of Actuarial and Quantitative Studies (IAQS), Institute of Insurance and Risk Management (IIRM), and the host SSSIHL—

It also welcomed eleven top organizations shaping the future of actuarial talent acquisition in India: Accenture, Swiss Re, Aon, Chubb, K.A. Pandit, CreditAccess Life Insurance Ltd., RSA Insurance, TransAsia Risk Advisors, KPMG India, PwC India, and Tech Actuarial.

Inaugural Ceremony

The event commenced with a sacred Vedam Chanting (Medha Suktam), and offering of prayers to the Goddess of Knowledge (Saraswati), followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp by Prof. B Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL, Mr. Vikas Newatia, President, IFoA, and Mr. Satya Sai Mudigonda, Lead, Center of Excellence in Actuarial Data Science, SSSIHL, along with other dignitaries from academia and industry.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the significance of actuarial growth in India, the university’s unique value-based integral education system, and notable achievements such as the CAS Gold Level Recognition and SoA Advanced Curriculum.

Ms. Katrina Thompson, President of IFoA, delivered an engaging town hall address, sharing IFoA’s vision for the future and fostering dialogue among academia and industry stakeholders.

Roundtable Discussion: The Future of the Actuarial Profession

An exclusive, invite-only roundtable discussion on “The Future of the Actuarial Profession”, moderated by Ms. Katrina Thompson, President of IFoA, held at the start of the day, set the tone for the event

The session featured insightful contributions from key industry and academic leaders, including:

• Industry Leaders: Vikas Newatia (IFoA India, CEO of RSA), Mr. Rohit Jain (Accenture), Ms. Megha Garg (Swiss Re), Ms. Smita Singh (Aon), Mr. Raghu Anjan (Chubb), Ms. Suruchi Bhargava (K.A. Pandit), Ms. Anjani Choudhary (CreditAccess), and Ms. Arunima Sinha (Chubb).
• Academic Leaders: Satya Sai Mudigonda (SSSIHL), Dr. Biju Toms (Christ), Dr. Mahadeo Ota (Crescent), Dr. M. R. Sindhumol (Madras University), Dr. V. V. K. Mohan (IIRM), and Mr. Aman Loharuka (IAQS).

Other attendees included Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah, Dr. Rohan Yashraj Gupta, Dr. Priyanka Pandey, Mr. Niranjan, Dr. Darshan Gera, Mr. Arunachala, Mr. Sai Prabhakar, Ms. V. Aparna, and Mr. Sai Vinod.

Panel Discussion: Cyber Risk

A key highlight of the conclave was an insightful panel discussion on “Cyber Risk”, exploring the evolving challenges in managing cyber threats. The discussion examined the current role of actuaries in cyber risk, gaps in actuarial involvement in cyber risk management, and innovative strategies for small businesses to mitigate cyber threats.

Moderated by Ms. Katrina Thompson, the panel featured leading experts Mr. Suresh Balakrishnan (Strategic Risk Consultant, TransAsia Advisors), Mr. Sony Anthony (Partner and Head – Cyber Defense & Incident Response, Global Head – Cyber in Deals, KPMG India), and Mr. Thilak Pandiyan (Director – Cyber Security & Privacy, PwC India), who shared invaluable insights on cyber risk management and how actuaries can contribute to cyber risk assessment and mitigation.

Student Showcase: Career Opportunities in Actuarial Science

The Student Showcase session provided young participants a unique opportunity to interact with five leading actuarial organizations: Accenture, Swiss Re, Chubb, Aon, and CreditAccess Life. Representatives from these firms presented diverse actuarial career pathways, fostering meaningful discussions and equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of career prospects in the actuarial industry.

Conclusion & Acknowledgments

The conclave concluded with the universal prayer symbolizing unity and gratitude. We express our heartfelt gratitude to IFoA for hosting this impactful event at SSSIHL. Special acknowledgment goes to Vikas Newatia, Chunku Pani, Payal Prakash, and Dhanashree from IFoA for their exceptional efforts in making this conclave a resounding success.

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The Centre for Actuarial Data Science (CADS) at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) had the esteemed opportunity to participate and present at the 24th Global Conference of Actuaries (GCA), held from 17th to 19th March 2025 at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake. The prestigious event was hosted by the Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) and centered around the theme, “Actuarial Excellence in the Age of Disruption.”

SSSIHL’s Presentation on Generative AI in Actuarial Science

The SSSIHL team was led by Mr. Satya Sai Mudigonda, Professor of Practice at CADS, along with Dr. Rohan Yashraj Gupta, Visiting Faculty, SSSIHL, an alumnus, and a qualified General Insurance (GI) Actuary currently associated with Accenture. They presented on “Innovative Applications of Generative AI in Actuarial Data Science” on 18th March, captivating the audience with insights on cutting-edge AI applications in actuarial work.

The session, chaired by Mr. Arunachalam Rajaraman, Past President of the Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI), delved into AI-driven advancements in risk assessment, pricing strategies, and claims management. The highlight of the presentation was a live demonstration of CADS’ proprietary LLM-based fraud detection model—a web-based mobile application designed to identify complex fraud patterns, analyze unstructured data, and enhance fraud investigations. The interactive nature of the demo allowed attendees to experience the model firsthand, leading to thought-provoking discussions on its potential industry applications.

Engaging Discussions and Key Takeaways

The session witnessed an engaging Q&A segment, where participants posed insightful queries on LLM technology, ethical AI applications, and the future of AI-driven actuarial decision-making. The discussions underscored the growing importance of AI in actuarial practice and the need for responsible AI development in financial and insurance sectors.

The GCA is renowned for bringing together distinguished global speakers, industry leaders, and actuarial professionals, providing unmatched learning and networking opportunities. This year’s event was no exception, offering students, aspiring actuaries, and professionals a chance to engage with industry pioneers and explore emerging trends.

The participation of CADS at this esteemed forum underscores SSSIHL’s commitment to contributing to and shaping the future of actuarial data science through innovation and research.

The Department of Management & Commerce, in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), is pleased to offer an Online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Financial Modeling using Excel VBA, R, and AI Tools.

Programme Details:

• Duration: 15th April 2025 – 30th April 2025 (excluding Sundays & holidays)
• Timings: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
• Mode: Online
• Eligibility: Open to faculty members of Business Schools, Colleges, and Universities across India offering MBA, MMS, MS in Finance, M. Com, and related undergraduate courses.

Resource Persons:

• Dr. L. Goverthanan, MS, FCMA
• Dr. Subramanian S. Iyer, MBA, FRM

Objective:

This FDP is designed to enhance the professional skills of faculty members by equipping them with advanced financial modeling techniques. By incorporating Excel VBA, R, and AI tools into their teaching methodologies, educators can create an engaging learning environment that fosters student comprehension and application of financial concepts. The focus will be on practical knowledge transfer to meet the evolving needs of the academic sector.

Expected Outcomes:

Upon completing this course, educators will gain proficiency in financial modeling and revolutionize their teaching techniques by incorporating accessible open-source tools! Tailored for college educators, this Faculty Development Programme is designed to enhance understanding of financial modeling using Excel-VBA, R, and AI. Educators will empower students to easily grasp and master these skills, fostering motivation and engagement in the learning process.

Key Topics Covered:

Excel VBA for Financial Modeling: Custom user-defined functions for financial computations (Income Tax, DCF, PV/FV, Convexity, etc.), Recording Macros and developing reusable financial widgets, creating custom Ribbon Menus for easy navigation, Sensitivity and scenario analysis using VBA.

R for Financial Data Analysis: Fetching live stock data and computing portfolio return and variance. Constructing Markowitz Efficient Frontier and animating in R, Integrating R functions seamlessly with Excel.

AI Tools in Financial Modeling: Building financial dashboards for ratio analysis (Dupont Chart), Corporate Valuation Models, Monte Carlo Simulation for financial risk analysis, Automation of financial models using AI tools in R.

This 14-day FDP is an excellent opportunity for faculty members to refine their skills and stay at the forefront of financial modeling advancements. Join us to revolutionize the way financial concepts are taught and applied!

Register: https://forms.gle/Ya2RzvL5TU17c3q38

Last date to apply: 12 April 2025

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Identifying the Issue

• Designing gas sensors functioning at room temperature with ultra-fast response and fast recovery is a great challenge.
• Realizing the sensing material which meets the high standard sensing parameters

Objective of the Research

• ZnO/Carbon-black heterostructures are studied for the detection of Volatile Organic Compounds at room temperature

Who should read this?

• Researchers and scientists in materials science and sensor technology

Solution

Engineering the metal oxide semiconductors’ electronic properties and microstructure to meet the desired properties

Key Features and Benefits

• ZnO/C65 heterostructures are reported for the detection of volatile organic compounds at room temperature
• C65 carbonblack incorporation has modified the microstructural as well as orientational growth of the ZnO particles, which has resulted in enhanced gas sensing characteristics compared to the pristine ZnO
• ZnO/C65 nano heterostructures exhibited p-type like response to ethanol sensing, besides enhanced sensitivity, ultra-fast response, and recovery

Impact

• ZnO/C65 heterostructures samples have exhibited ultrafast ethanol sensing response and recovery (2 s) at certain C65 carbon contents
• Change in the sensing mechanism from n-to p-type for ZnO/C65 heterostructures at room temperature
• The unique microstructural features of ZnO nanoparticles and semiconducting ZnO/C65 heterostructure mechanism enable fast ethanol sensing
• ZnO/C65 heterostructure-based ethanol gas sensors demonstrate reliable operation at room temperature, making them suitable for various industrial and commercial applications

Team

Paramesh Gadige *, Upesh kumar, Tanay saha, Sanjay Prasad

Title of paper: “ZnO/carbon black nano‑heterostructures for ultrafast ethanol detection with n to p‑type switching at room temperature“

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-025-08419-9

The Department of Languages and Literature – English, of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), conducted a two-day national conference titled Lit Treat Edition V: “Language, Literature, and Beyond – Exploring New Frontiers in English Studies” in collaboration with Literary Voice, a peer-reviewed, UGC CARE Group II indexed journal of English Studies. The conference took place on the 14th and 15th of March, 2025, at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, bringing together eminent scholars, researchers, and students to engage in thought-provoking discussions on contemporary literary studies.

The inaugural session commenced with the traditional invocatory Vedam chanting by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. A video presentation showcasing the Department of Languages and Literature – English at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning introduced the faculty, research scholars, and students while highlighting their participation and achievements at various national and international events. Prof. Rani P.L., Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Director of the Anantapur Campus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, welcomed the gathering and set the stage for the conference by emphasising the universality and timelessness of literature.

Following this, the Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, addressed the audience, noting that world literatures reflect the complexities of human experiences. The Hon’ble Chancellor of the Institute, Sri K. Chakravarthi, IAS (Retd.), delivered his inaugural address, underscoring the evolution and transcendence of literature beyond social, technological, and cultural influences. Subsequently, Dr. Bhagyashree S. Varma, Associate Professor of English at, the University of Mumbai, and Reviewer of Literary Voice, was invited to deliver a brief note on behalf of the journal.

The morning session featured two plenary talks. The first, delivered by Prof. Bharathi Harishankar, Vice Chancellor of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, was titled “The Expanding Horizons of English Literary Studies.” She explored the evolution of literature through dynamic perspectives in contemporary times. The second plenary talk, presented by Dr. Poonam Nigam Sahay, Head, and Associate Professor of English at Ranchi University, was titled “Engaging the Indian Learner with Novel Instructional Strategies: Understanding and Concerns.” Dr. Sahay emphasized the necessity of dynamic, student-centred approaches and innovative instructional methods to foster inclusivity and equity in education. The first day concluded with parallel technical sessions featuring research paper presentations by postgraduate students and research scholars from various institutions across India.

The second day commenced with the traditional invocatory Vedam chanting by the students of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Nandigiri Campus, followed by a video presentation offering a behind-the-scenes look at the inception and organization of the conference. The plenary session featured an insightful lecture by Prof. Jibu Mathew George, Professor of English Literature at The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, on “The Ontology of Religious Narratives and Doctrines.” Prof. George introduced the audience to emerging research in religious studies, elaborating on his concept of ‘equi-reversible ontology,’ which examines the interplay between theist and atheist perspectives on religion through literature. The morning session concluded with three parallel technical sessions focusing on distinct themes.

The post-lunch session featured an intellectually stimulating quiz conducted by the department’s first-year postgraduate students. The quiz challenged participants’ knowledge of classical and contemporary literature. This was followed by a cultural session, which included a soulful musical rendition of slam poetry, creatively composed and performed by first-year BA English Honours students from the Nandigiri Campus. The poetry celebrated the magnificence of creation and the benevolence of the Creator.

The conference concluded with the Valedictory Session. Dr. Vivek Chauhan, Associate Professor of English, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, delivered the welcome address. Seven participants were awarded the Best Paper Presentation Award from each of the technical sessions. A student representative then presented a comprehensive report on the conference proceedings. Dr. Bhagyashree S. Varma delivered the Valedictory Address, offering insightful reflections on the significance of such academic engagements. Dr. Maitali Khanna, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Languages and Literature, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, delivered the concluding remarks and Vote of Thanks. The conference formally concluded with the ceremonial Mangala Arati.

The Lit Treat Edition V, conducted by the Department of Languages and Literature – English, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, in collaboration with Literary Voice, successfully fostered intellectual exchange and provided a platform for scholars to explore emerging frontiers in English studies. Through plenary talks, research presentations, interactive discussions, and cultural performances, the conference enriched participants’ understanding of literature’s evolving role in contemporary academic discourse.

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Watch Recording:

Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGcgvVUYr58
Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeDxZo0eQC4&t
Day 2 Valedictory:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rJ6YRv0_Dc

8 March every year is celebrated world over as International Women’s Day. The Women’s Campus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, in collaboration with the SSSIHL Gender Sensitization Cell, marked the day in an enriching manner with a series of engaging activities that included – Mindfulness sessions and relaxation techniques, friendly badminton matches, a rally called Women on Wheels and other team games.

Prof Rani P L, the Director of the Campus, set the context in her introductory remarks, highlighting the status and role of women as envisioned by the Founder Chancellor Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The mindfulness activities were led by Dr Kironbala Arora, a certified yoga practitioner, and Mrs. K Hemalatha, the Assistant Physical Director of the Campus. Different modes of clapping and tapping to open up the nerve centers were practiced, followed by a demonstration of yogic postures appropriate for women-related health issues by a small team of select Faculty, research scholars, and students. The pranayama session followed by a guided meditation brought in much calm, silence, and peace to the morning.

The morning session was planned to draw attention to self-care and relaxation techniques, which are easy to practice, and aligned to the Fit India Campaign. The evening session, themed “Women on Wheels” commenced at 4:15 PM with a bicycle and scooter rally led by research scholars & faculty. The celebrations continued with a friendly badminton match and team games to build camaraderie and physical stamina.

Through these thoughtfully planned activities, the event reinforced the importance of mindfulness, well-being, and women’s empowerment, making the occasion both meaningful and memorable.

The Centre for Excellence in Mathematical Biology (CEMB) at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) organized a series of online talks titled Popular Science Talk Series 2024 in Mathematical Biology from June 2024 to January 2025. These sessions conducted each month covered, key topics such as Mathematical Ecology, Epidemiology, AI/ML in Healthcare, and Bioinformatics. This initiative aimed to enhance national capacity in Infectious Disease Modeling and Mathematical Biology, fostering mathematical innovation for societal benefits, especially in public health. It provided participants with essential skills and knowledge in emerging domains of Mathematical Biology.

The series attracted a diverse audience, with a total of 174 participants, including faculty members, industry professionals, postdoctoral and doctoral research scholars, as well as postgraduate and undergraduate students from various parts of India. The series featured distinguished speakers who shared their expertise on various topics.

Dr. Mohit Kumar Jolly from IISc Bangalore inaugurated the series on June 7, 2024, with a talk on “What does not kill cancer can make it stronger: Investigating cancer as a complex system.” He discussed metastasis, therapy resistance, and the role of mathematical models in understanding cancer progression, introducing ‘digital twins’ for cancer prediction and treatment strategies.

On July 5, 2024, Dr. Ananth Vedururu Srinivas from LSU Health, New Orleans, USA, delivered a talk on “Bifurcations in the Brain: Exploring Neurons as Dynamical Systems.” He explained how neurons function as dynamical systems, using computational models to study neuronal activity and neurological disorders. On August 2, 2024, Dr. Jai Prakash Tripathi from the Central University of Rajasthan presented a session on “Understanding of Nondimensionalization via a Bacterial Growth Model: Why, How and When.” His talk provided practical insights into simplifying complex biological models through nondimensionalization techniques.

On September 6, 2024, Dr. B.S.R.V. Prasad from Vellore Institute of Technology explored the ecological impacts of food supplementation on prey-predator interactions in his talk, “Food Supplementation for Predators and Parasitoids: A Double-Edged Sword?” He discussed how mathematical ecology contributes to sustainable conservation strategies. Dr. Bapan Ghosh from IIT Indore, on October 4, 2024, introduced “Fractional Order Modeling of Ecological and Epidemiological Systems: Ambiguities and Challenges,” where he explained the advantages and challenges of using fractional-order models in ecological and epidemiological research.

On November 15, 2024, Dr. Bishal Chhetri from IIT Kanpur showcased the integration of mathematical models and AI in studying cancer dynamics in his talk, “Understanding Cancer Disease Using Mathematical and Machine Learning Models.” He emphasized the role of AI and deep learning in improving cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. The final talk in the series was delivered by Prof. Mukesh Doble from Saveetha Dental College, SIMATS, on January 30, 2025. His session, “Silk Fibroin-Based Nano Particle Drug Delivery System Targeting Mycobacterium-Infected Macrophage,” highlighted an innovative approach to tuberculosis treatment using silk fibroin-based nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery.

The Popular Talk Series 2024 in Mathematical Biology successfully engaged participants in advanced topics within Mathematical Biology. The diverse range of expert speakers provided interdisciplinary insights, enriching participants’ understanding of Mathematical Ecology, Epidemiology, AI/ML in Healthcare, and Bioinformatics. The series fostered discussions on innovative applications of mathematical models in real-world biological and healthcare challenges, laying the foundation for future research collaborations in this dynamic field.

CEMB at SSSIHL extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the distinguished speakers for their valuable contributions and to the participants for their enthusiastic engagement. Special thanks to the coordinators, Dr. D. K. K. Vamsi, Dr. Darshan Gera and Dr. K. N. Naresh, for their dedicated efforts in organizing this insightful series.

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