Sathya Sai University to open AI higher education centre in Madiyala in Dakshina Kannada in November

Madhusudan Sai, founder of the One World One Family Mission, and industrialist K. Ullas Kamath at ‘Divya Sanje’ interaction programme at the Krishna Palemar Convention Centre in Merry Hill, Mangaluru, on Saturday. | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, Navanihal, Kalaburagi district, will open its higher education centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Madiyala village, near Vitla, in Dakshina Kannada in November 2026. Students will be admitted to the campus from June 2027, Madhusudan Sai, founder of the One World One Family Mission, said in Mangaluru on Saturday.The spiritual leader, who is also the chancellor of the university, said that the Madiyala campus will offer four-year courses in AI, machine learning, and computational science. In addition, students will have to undergo a one-year internship, he said.Speaking to presspersons, he said Madiyala is the birthplace of the late Madiyala Narayana Bhat, founder of the service and educational organisation Loka Seva Vrinda.The university campus will be opened in the village to mark the birth centenary of Bhat, who sought to transform the education system through the Loka Seva Vrinda of Alike.“Mangaluru already offers all kinds of educational courses. To add further value to this ecosystem, we are establishing a university-level higher education centre emphasizing AI, Machine Learning, and Computational Science,” he stated.Asked about a spiritually rooted organisation launching such an advanced technology centre in a village, the seer noted that science and its branches were an integral part of India’s Sanatana knowledge tradition.“AI or any modern technology is not outside the purview of Sanatana Dharma. Our Rishis (sages), who reached great spiritual heights, were simultaneously scientists. Mother Saraswati does not discriminate in imparting knowledge,” he said.Free hospital in MangaluruHe said that a 50-bed free hospital will be set up in Mangaluru under the One World One Family Mission.Without elaborating further on the proposed hospital, he said that its details will be disclosed later.The blueprint for the hospital is ready, he said, adding that such healthcare facilities will be set up across all districts of Karnataka.“Currently, we have educational institutions in 15 districts of Karnataka. In the future, these will be expanded to all districts. Through the ‘SaiSure’ program, one crore children are currently receiving nutritional food. We aim to scale this up to provide nutrition to five crore children across all states in the country,” he stated.Earlier, replying to questions from prominent industrialist Ullas Kamath during the ‘Divya Sanje’ (Divine Evening) interactive program held in the city, he said: “Sanatana Dharma is not just ancient; it is ever-new and accepting of everything.“I constantly observe global developments and ask myself what the future holds and how we should respond. Simply because our students are receiving free education, they must not be deprived of cutting-edge knowledge.”CSR fundsStressing the proper utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, the Sadguru advised: “Just as the government has a right to taxes and corporate entities to profits, organizations driving service activities should have a right to CSR funds. This right should not be denied.”He presented the ‘Karnataka Parivarthaka Award’ of the One World One Family Mission to M. Mohan Alva, Chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri, on the occasion. Published - September 13, 2026 06:33 pm IST