Sri Sri University is a state private university located in Cuttack district, Odisha, India. It was established by the Government of Odisha through a state legislative act and operates as a self-financed institution. The university was founded under the inspiration of Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living Foundation, and emphasises a blend of modern professional education with traditional Indian knowledge systems.
Key facts
| Name | Sri Sri University |
|---|---|
| Type | State private university |
| Location | Cuttack, Odisha, India |
| Country | India |
| Founder/Inspiration | Ravi Shankar (Art of Living) |
| Language of instruction | English |
Background
The university was conceived as part of the educational initiatives associated with the Art of Living Foundation, which has been involved in school and value-education programmes across India. Sri Sri University was created to extend this engagement to the higher-education level, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes within a residential campus in Odisha.
It functions as a state private university, meaning it was constituted by an act of the Odisha Legislative Assembly and is empowered to award its own degrees in accordance with the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Academics
The university is organised into multiple faculties and schools covering disciplines such as management, commerce, agricultural sciences, computer applications, good governance and public policy, Ayurveda and integrative medicine, fine and performing arts, and Indic philosophy and yogic sciences. Programmes typically include bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, with an emphasis on experiential learning, internships and value-based education drawn from Indian classical traditions.
Campus
The campus is situated in the Cuttack region of Odisha and is designed as a residential academic township, housing classrooms, hostels, libraries, sports facilities and meditation spaces. The setting reflects the institution's stated focus on combining academic study with personal development practices such as yoga and meditation.
Significance
Sri Sri University is among the private universities established in Odisha during the expansion of higher education in the state in the early twenty-first century. It is notable for its association with the Art of Living movement and for offering specialised programmes in areas such as Ayurveda, yogic sciences and Indic studies alongside conventional disciplines like management and computer applications.
Related topics
- Cuttack
- Odisha
- Art of Living Foundation
- Ravi Shankar (spiritual leader)
- Private universities in India
- Higher education in India
- University Grants Commission (India)
References
- Wikidata: Q7586288
- Government of Odisha, Department of Higher Education — list of state private universities.
- University Grants Commission (India) — list of recognised private universities.