Dr S.B. Mujumdar, ( President & Founder Director, Symbiosis Society)

Symbiosis society has played a big role in earning the title of ‘Oxford of the East’ for Pune. What was the inspiration behind laying down the foundation of the Institute?
When I was a professor in Fergusson College, there were a large number of students from foreign countries studying there. I realized that the students faced a lot of problems in terms of food, accommodation and cultural shock instead of cultural thrill. These very students, when they went back to their countries carried ill-will against the country when we could make them our cultural ambassadors of goodwill.
We started a small organisation for the welfare of foreign students and to encourage closer interaction between students from different countries. We called the organization ‘Symbiosis’ which means living together of two different plants and animals for the benefit of each other. I then realized that social get-togethers and site-seeing would not have a long-lasting impact. So I decided to start an educational institute with the firm belief that education would bring about harmony between students and foster stronger ties between the countries. Since then there has been no looking back. We now have 32 institutes, with students from 60 countries.

What are the values that you have imbibed in your life and which have been instrumental to your success?
I have always valued honesty and transparency in my life. I believe in the beauty of simplicity and continue to live the same lifestyle. I feel that nature has made us to work and it is only work that gives you satisfaction. Plus I have always distinguished between things that give pleasure and happiness.

What according to you are the distinct features of Symbiosis which have made it acquire an International status?
Just as an individual should have a character, an Institute should also have a character.
We have set the parameters for the functioning of the Institutes, colleges and schools. We select the faculty on merit basis, don’t accept donation and provide quality education. These are the factors which have made Symbiosis multicultural and multidisciplinaryl, giving it a Cosmopolitan face.

How do you visualize the educational scenario in Pune, five years from now?
Pune has been recognized as the centre of education since the past 200 years. Education is the strength of the city. It’s not very far when education will also be affected by globalisation. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves for the time when foreign universities will set base in India. We must concentrate on providing quality education and not produce unemployable graduates. The existing colleges must focus on excellent infrastructure, state of the art laboratories, ultra-modern and digital libraries. Pune has the capability to provide world class education.
Symbiosis is trying to create world class institutes. We are setting up an Institute on a 300 acre land in Lavla, a small village-30 kms from Pune.
I would ask all the Institues in Pune to arise and awake to prepare themselves for the onslaught of foreign universities.

How is Symbiosis fulfilling its social responsibilities?
Providing quality education is in itself a social service and that is what we are doing. We are also sensitizing the students to social issues through our various courses and programmes.

What are your views on the recently enacted Right to Information act, 2005?
The act has tremendous advantages. It will ensure transparency in the functioning of educational Institutes and will reduce corruption. Students and parents will come to know the real image of the college or institute.

What is your advice for students?
I always tell the students to DREAM, DREAM and DREAM more. Always try and achieve the impossible.

- Interview by Amita Makhija
15th Feb, 2006