President of India conferred the 'Padma Bhushan' award to Prof. Dr. S.B. Mujumdar

We feel happy and proud to inform you that the President of India Shrimati Pratibha DeviSingh Patil conferred the 'Padma Bhushan' award on Prof. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, Founder and President, Symbiosis in the investiture held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on Thursday, March 22, 2012. The Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, was declared to Dr. S. B. Mujumdar by the President of India on Republic Day.
Dr. S.B. Mujumdar is a distinguished Academician and Educationist. He is the Founder & President of Symbiosis, a multi-lingual, multi-national and multi-disciplinary educational complex of international repute. He is also the Chancellor of Symbiosis International University. In appreciation of his long and illustrious social contribution in the field of education, the President of India awarded the prestigious 'Padma Shri' to Dr. S.B.Mujumdar in 2005. Dr. Mujumdar was also awarded 'Punyabhushan' award in the year 2009 at the hands of Hon'ble Vice President Shri. Hamid Ansari.

Vocational Committee Report - Govt. of Maharashtra

At a press conference held on 1st July 2011 in Pune, Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Chairperson of Vocational Committee, submitted the Vocational Committee report to Hon'ble Shri. Rajesh Tope, Minister for Higher & Technical Education, Govt. of Maharashtra. The report consisted of some path breaking policies and recommendations in Vocational Education, Training & Skill Development sector for the State of Maharashtra and for our country.

A book titled 'Symbiosis Is My Breath' authored by Ms. Swati Mujumdar

A book titled 'Symbiosis Is My Breath' authored by Ms. Swati Mujumdar, Director, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) celebrating 75th birthday of Dr. S. B Mujumdar, Founder & President Symbiosis was released at the hands of noted advocate and former law minister, Adv. Ram Jethmalani on 07th August, 2010. This special publication enumerates the story of the birth of Symbiosis and its long journey in realizing the dreams of Dr. Mujumdar in creating a home away from home for foreign students.

The book covers the memorable moments of Dr. Mujumdar's life from childhood to date, captured through his photographs and the articles contributed by his close friends. This publication also contains interview of Symbiosis taken by Swati Mujumdar. Symbiosis has been personified and goes down the memory lane and narrates the story about itself and its creator, Dr.Mujumdar

SCDL First Alumni Meet - Pune

In keeping with Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learnings initiative to always stay connected with all its students, SCDL organized its first Alumni Meet on April 6, 2013 at the SCDL campus in Pune. The event received an enthusiastic response with more than 70 students from previous batches coming together. The Alumni Meet gave a "face" to the virtual student fraternity of SCDL.

In her welcome address, Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Director, SCDL, talked about how the institute has evolved since its inception and the new programs that have been introduced. The Director also announced the creation of an alumni page where former students can log in to connect with each other and share their experiences. To make this association a more valued experience, SCDL will provide its alumni access to its e-learning material as well as its e-library.

Alumni Meet - Dubai

SCDL hosted its first International ALUMNI MEET at Dubai on Thursday April 18, 2013 between 6 pm to 8 pm at Hotel Regent Palace, Dubai. The Alumni meet received an overwhelming response and a large number of alumni from all walks of life attending the Meet.

The Meet started with a Welcome Address by SCDL Director, Dr Swati Mujumdar. The Welcome address was followed by a brief introduction by all alumni present for the Meet. An interactive session of one hour with the Director led to a number of valuable suggestions being received. SCDL also felicitated its Star Alumni who have done exceptionally well in their fields of work.

Inauguration of the new campus for Symbiosis Institute of Skill Development & Symbiosis Community College At Daravli, Paud, near Pune

To further our commitment for facilitating social and economic development through vocational education and skill development, Symbiosis Open Education Society has constructed a large campus near Daravli, Paud village, Mulshi Taluka, about 17 kms from Pune. The campus will host the Symbiosis Institute of Skill Development and the Symbiosis Community College and is dedicated to conducting vocational & skill development courses customized to the needs of local industry and community.

We have also planned the inauguration of "An exhibition of handicrafts and products developed by students of the Symbiosis Community College" and the opening of "A Community Resource Centre" created exclusively for the local farmers, women, children and which will provide information, counseling, guidance and free seminars to them in various areas such as agriculture, health, farming, dairy, handicrafts etc.

This campus will house the Symbiosis Institute of Skill Development, a new initiative undertaken with the mission of creating large pool of skilled youth. The campus will also house the Symbiosis Community College, a social initiative started in 2009 with the objective of creating an alternate education system for the under privileged, rural, women and school drop-outs. The campus has state of the art infrastructure having labs, classrooms and workshops suitable for conducting vocational and skill based short term courses in collaboration with local industry and other community stakeholders.

The inauguration of this new campus is scheduled on 16th October 2012 at 11.30 am. Shri. Rajesh Tope, Hon. Minister for Higher & Technical Education, Govt. of Maharashtra, has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest. Mr. Dilip Chenoy, MD & CEO, National Skill Development Corporation, New Delhi has accepted to be the Guest of Honor.

The Symbiosis Community College mainly offers short-term vocational courses to underprivileged students, women, rural youth and school drop-outs with the objective of creating opportunities of gainful employment and entrepreneurship. Most of the courses are delivered on location. About 400 students till date have successfully completed various courses offered by the Symbiosis Community College. The local community stakeholders are actively involved in the Community College. Symbiosis Institute of Skill Development which is a new initiative will focus on providing advance skill development courses in high growth sectors such as Automobile, Manufacturing and Construction, to cater to local industry needs for skilled manpower. We are in dialogue with industries such Tata Motors, Bajaj, Mahindra & Maruti to understand their specific needs and create courses with on-job training facility. Courses in the areas of denting, painting, welding, auto electrician, two wheeler mechanic etc. will be started very soon from the new campus.

The Community Resource Centre will bring people, ideas and resources together. It shall educate and create awareness amongst the community stakeholders and key decision makers, provide facilities such as internet, library etc. and promote entrepreneurship. The Centre will also provide an opportunity to the local farmers and other community members to showcase their products through regular exhibitions. Seminars on health, farming, dairy etc. in upcoming areas have also been planned for the benefit of the local population.

We have invited top industrialists as well as top Government officials and other community leaders for this function. Meritorious students who have recently completed various courses from the Symbiosis Community College will also be awarded certificates. An audience of approximately 350-400 is expected on this occasion. We cordially invite you for this inauguration function and look forward to your support and blessings for this new initiative!

With warm personal Regards,
Swati Mujumdar
Principal Director,
Symbiosis Open Education Society (SOES)

CIMA and SCDL Launch PG Diploma in Management Accounting and Finance

World’s largest management accounting body, The Chartered Institute of Managements Accountants(CIMA) and India’s one of the largest distance education providers in management, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning(SCDL) have partnered together to launch a 2 year distance learning Corporate- Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (C-PGDBA)The students who complete this distance learning program will receive a dual qualification a C-PGDBA in Finance from SCDL and an Advance Diploma in Management Accounting from CIMA. A MOU to this effect was signed by Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Director, SCDL & Mr. Andrew Harding, Managing Director, CIMA at SCDL, Pune on July 19th, 2012.

Symbiosis represents India on the Executive Committee of AAOU

AAOU (AAOU: Asian Association of Open Universities) is an association of Open & Distance Learning Universities & Institutes. AAOU was founded in 1987 and promotes Open & Distance education in Asia. There are 46 full members, who represent Presidents, Vice Chancellors, Directors of Open & Distance Universities and Institutions from Asia

The primary objective of the Association is to help promote education by distance teaching systems and develop its potentialities and also to promote professional and ethical standards amongst distance educators. The elections for Presidency & Executive Committee of AAOU were recently held at Hanoi, Viet Nam 25th October 2010). Prof T. M Wong, Vice Chancellor of Wawasan Open University, Malaysia has been elected the President for a term of three years.

Swati Mujumdar, Director, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune, India, has been elected as a member of the esteemed Executive Committee for a tenure of three years, from the South Asia region. It is indeed a matter of great pride for Symbiosis to represent on this international association related to distance education, by getting elected as a member of the Executive Committee of AAOU. Symbiosis will now represent India & South Asia region on this esteemed body.

This representation will ensure the growth of Open and Distance Learning in the region, to raise issues in the Executive Committee of the AAOU and to facilitate cooperation among member institutions through Ms. Swati Mujumdar, Director, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune, India.

Inauguration of Symbiosis Studio at Lavale, Pune

Bollywood superstar Mr. Amitabh Bachchan inaugurated the Studio of Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication on Tuesday 30th March 2010 at Symbiosis International University, Lavale Campus, Tal Mulshi, Dist. Pune. Mr. Amar Singh, MP was also present for the function.

Sanskrutik Mahotsav - 2012

Symbiosis Society celebrated the festival of cultural activities called Symbiosis Sanskrutik Day (Symbiosis Cultural Program at Lavale on 19th Jan. 2012. The event attracted all staff and faculty members under the umbrellas of SIU from all over Pune. The variety entertainment program included Antakshari, Personality Contest, Singing and Dancing contests. SCDL bagged 1st prize in Antakshari Competition and 2nd prize in Dance Competition.

National Conference on Distance and Online Learning (ODL) Held

The Conference was organized by SCDL on 19th September 2014 from 11 am to 6 pm at SCDL Campus, Pune.

Rankings & Awards

• Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning has been ranked 1st amongst the top Distance Learning B-schools that offer distance learning course in Management programmes by Career India 2016.
• Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning has been ranked 1st amongst the top Distance Learning Institutes for student learning experience by Careers 360
• Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning has been ranked 2nd amongst the Leading Institutes, by DNA Indus Learning Survey 2012.
• Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning has been ranked 3rd amongst the Top Distance Learning Institutes - by Competition Success Review.
• Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning has been ranked 5th amongst the Best Distance Learning Institutes - by Careers 360.
• SCDL has won the Maharashtra Government's IT Award for Human Resource Development through quality Distance Education and innovative use of ICT.
• SCDL is now ISO Certified In Feb. 2012, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) has successfully achieved ISO 9001:2008 assessment certificate. This certificate was awarded to SCDL for successful establishment of "Quality Management System" by NSF-ISR as a certifying body. NSF-ISR is accredited by ANAB.