Dr. S. B. Mujumdar President & Founder Director

In 1971, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar established the Symbiosis International Cultural & Educational Centre in Pune primarily to promote friendship, co-operation and understanding between foreign and Indian students and to cater to the needs and difficulties of foreign students studying in Pune, mostly Afro-Asian students. Since then, he has established 32 institutions under the aegis of 'Symbiosis' that impart training in 100 different courses ranging from KG, Primary, Secondary Education to Law, Human Resource Development, Foreign Trade, Management, Computer, Arts & Commerce, Mass Communication, Telecommunication, Information Technology etc. Symbiosis today is a premier educational group in Pune and possesses exceptional brand equity in the sphere of management education.

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, the Joint Director of Symbiosis Society is a doctor, a gynecologist, who also has a degree in law to add to her qualification.

Born in 1964, she imbibed the zeal for social and educational work through her father, Dr. S. B. Mujumdar. She has traveled widely to countries like UK, USA, UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia etc. On these tours she has participated in educational fairs and has interacted with students and parents in an attempt to promote higher Indian education abroad.
She has also developed close contacts with the Ministries of Education in different countries. By liaisoning with these departments she is able to understand the specific needs of the youth of those countries. Under her administration at Symbiosis, these needs are then met and provided for, in an attempt to increase the comfort level of the foreign students at Symbiosis.

Dr. Vidya's main interest is to carry forward the vision of her father, Dr. S. B. Mujumdar - by promoting international understanding through quality education. Being a member of the Board of Management of the Symbiosis Society and Symbiosis International University, she contributes to the overall planning and development of Symbiosis. She has been instrumental in collaborations of Symbiosis with some of the world-class universities.

With over 20 years in academic and University governance he brings a unique blend of Industry-Academia executive culture. Over 200 publications, 8 Patents and 18 PhD students, he has attracted substantial research funding from national and international agencies. He was Director of Interdisciplinary School of Health sciences of the University of Pune for over 10 years; Chief of Academics of Manipal Education Group for three years and also founding Director of Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine Bangalore. He is founder Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine and one of the top cited authors of Elsevier's SciTopics. He has been a Convener of national committee on Promotion of Indian Higher Education Abroad (PIHEAD) of the UGC; member of Boards of several Universities and national institutions such NIPER, CSIR NBRI, ICMR RRC; member Taskforce of National Knowledge Commission and Planning Commission; Karnataka Innovation Council; Consultant to WHO Geneva and SEARO. As Convener of Vision Group of EDGE Forum he is providing remarkable leadership for innovations in higher education sector. As Vice Chancellor of Symbiosis International University he will lead the effort to strengthen research, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as addition of new disciples in biomedical sciences and humanities..

Symbiosis, capturing the spirit of its biological meaning, was formed as an international cultural and educational center in 1971 primarily to promote global understanding between Indian and foreign students through education. Today, the Symbiosis Society proudly runs 32 academic institutions ranging from kindergarten to postgraduate institutes. Thousands of students from over 32 countries pursue studies at Symbiosis Institutes. In Symbiosis, excellence is a passion. A competent, dedicated and devoted Director heads each institute. The managing committee of Symbiosis comprises of eminent academicians, industrialists, bankers and social workers, who with their knowledge and experience guide the activities of this society.