Founder & President

Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar (Awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by the President of India) is known as the visionary Founder and President of Symbiosis – an esteemed, multinational, multilingual, and multidisciplinary educational institution established with the motto of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family).

He is also the Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune (Maharashtra’s first skill development university), and Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore. His journey, from serving as a professor of Botany to establishing the world-class Symbiosis International (Deemed University), epitomises his profound impact on international education.

Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar’s academic journey began with humble roots. He received his early education in Gadhinglaj, followed by formative years in Kolhapur and Pune, and notably secured a First-class with Distinction in his Master’s Degree (MSc) in Botany from Pune University and further earned his Doctorate (PhD) in Microbiology. His pursuits continued at Fergusson College, Pune, where he emerged as a prominent figure.

As Professor and Head of the Department of Botany, his dedication has spanned over two decades, during which he significantly influenced the academic landscape. He has also actively participated in Pune University’s governance, serving on the Executive Council, Senate, Academic Council, and as Chairman of the Board of Studies in Botany. In addition to this, he has served as the Foreign Academic Advisor for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at Pune University for many years.

His scholarly contributions are showcased by over 50 original research articles in esteemed national and international scientific journals. Furthermore, he has authored numerous books on Life Sciences and penned over 200 articles encompassing Science, Education, and Youth Development. Notably, Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar has also assumed the role of Chairman of the Educational Wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Driven by empathy for foreign students facing challenges while studying in Pune, Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar established ‘SYMBIOSIS’ in 1971, aiming to offer them a ‘Home away from Home’. The term ‘Symbiosis’, rooted in botany and signifying ‘living together for mutual benefit’, aptly encapsulates his mission of fostering international understanding and camaraderie between Indian and foreign scholars. This endeavour symbolises the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the ‘World is One family’. Today, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) stands as a testament to his vision of promoting international understanding through quality education.

Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar firmly believes that educational institutions are responsible for upholding their commitment to Institutional Social Responsibility. In this spirit, the university has established Symbiosis Community Outreach Programme and Extension (SCOPE) Centre. This initiative is dedicated to positively impacting the surrounding communities of the university.

Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar’s contributions have garnered him numerous accolades. The President of India recognised his exceptional contribution to the field of education by bestowing upon him the ‘Padma Shri’ in 2005 and ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 2012. He has received the prestigious ‘D Litt’ honor from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and DSc from Dr. D Y Patil University, alongside being the inaugural recipient of the ‘Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial Award’. He has also been specially felicitated at the hands of Hon’ble Minister for External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj for his contribution to international understanding in 2018.

Along with this, his achievements include the Punya Bhushan Award, FIE Foundation; Puraskar, ‘Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar’ by Govt. of Maharashtra at the hands of Shri L. K. Advani, Former Deputy Prime Minister of India, and the ‘Excellence in Education Award’ from the Top Management Club, to name a few. Furthermore, his commitment to service has been acknowledged through the Rotary Club of Pune’s ‘Service Excellence Recognition Award (SERA)’, Lifetime Achievement Award, and the esteemed ‘Paul Harris Fellow’ recognition from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar’s lifelong dedication culminated in numerous other awards, such as the Giant International Lifetime Achievement Award, the Rotary Lifetime Achievement Award by Rotary International, the Lion Gaurav Puraskar, Pune Municipal Corporation’s ‘Roll of Honor for Lifetime Achievement’, and the Lifetime Achievement Awards bestowed by FICCI and Pune Festival. He has been awarded the esteemed Chancellor’s Medal by the Aston University, UK, and the prestigious Jeevan Sadhana Puraskar by Savitribhai Phule Pune University at the hands of Vidyavachaspati Shri Shankar Abhyankar. He has also received the Institution Builder Award by Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari. Recently, he has been conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by INDAM (Indian Academy of Management), an affiliate of the Academy of Management, USA.

These honours remain as a testament to his contribution to education.

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