The Venezuelan leader was on two-day visit at Prasanthi Nilayam and had darshan at the Satya Saibaba Maha Samadhi on Sunday.

Addressing faculty members and administrators during her visit to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Rodríguez praised the institute’s unique values-based approach to education and described it as a model capable of transforming both individuals and society.

Expressing gratitude for the opportunity accorded to her for a visit of Prasanthi Nilayam and the university founded by Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Venezuelan leader said educational institutions must focus not only on knowledge and skills but also on character, ethics and service to humanity. The growing crisis confronting education globally underlined the urgent need for value-oriented learning systems, she felt.

Rodríguez appreciated the institution’s philosophy of integral education and took keen interest in its research initiatives, academic achievements and social outreach programmes. She noted that the university successfully blended academic excellence with character development, describing it as an example of holistic education in practice.

The acting president was welcomed at the institution’s administrative office at Vidyagiri by vice-chancellor Prof Raghavendra Prasad, Registrar Srikanth Khanna and senior faculty members. She was accompanied by RJ Rathnakar, managing trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.

The university administration presented an overview of the institution’s growth, achievements, research initiatives and future roadmap. The interaction provided an opportunity for an exchange of ideas on education, service and human development, reflecting the universal values championed by Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Rodríguez is currently on an India visit at the invitation of the central government.