14th Convocation Ceremony at Symbiosis International (Deemed) University

“We need to unleash our energies as far as education is concerned. Once we liberated human energies, restrictions were never helpful. As long as we were restrictive, we grew very moderately. “, Shri ArunJaitley.

Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, held its 14 th Convocation ceremony on December 17th ,2017 at their Lavale campus. Shri Arun Jaitley Hon’ble Minister for Finance, Government of India graced the event as the Chief Guest.

“Today the world is highly competitive. The survival of the fittest, where what background or status you belong to does not matter. India is today highly aspirational, it’s becoming impatient. And therefore, that itself is now compelling governments and regimes to act. In twenty years from now, if we continue to grow at a pace of 7.5% growth which is our normal potential, India is yet not a satisfied nation. It wants to grow faster.”, Arun Jaitley.

Dr. Prof. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor SIU, talked about the inception and the journey of Symbiosis, from Cultural Centre to Educational Centre and now an International University, with its objective to bring Indian and foreign students together.

The prestigious D.Litt. degree was conferred upon Mr. Rahul Bajaj, politician and chairman of Bajaj Group and Prof. Philip Altbach, a leading global scholar in higher education with a nuanced ability to interpret Indian higher education to the rest of the world.

Vice Chancellor, Rajani Gupte, presented the annual report, revealing Symbiosis’ ranking 61st amongst the top 100 Universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework 2017. She also mentioned SIU’s latest patents and its association with an International project- Erasmus+ programme. SIU ranked 144 among BRICS Universities by the QS World University Rankings.

During this convocation ceremony, over 5000 students were conferred diplomas, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees. In addition, 12 gold medallists were bestowed for academic excellence. The prestigious Prof. S.B. Mujumdar ‘Outstanding Foreign Student of the Year’ award was established last year. In continuation of his life long mission to offer learning opportunities to foreign students in India. This unique award and a prize money of Rs. 1 Lakh from his personal  savings is a recognition of the exemplary achievements of students, studying anywhere in India. This year it was presented to Mrs. Marzia Rahmanyar, Afghanistan. She studied gender, culture and development studies at Savitribai Phule, Pune University.

Pro Chancellor, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar thanked the guests, and on behalf of the students. The

convocation ceremony concluded with caps tossing high.