New Delhi, October 09, 2025: Symbiosis International University, one of India’s most premier higher education institutions, successfully concluded its active participation as a sponsor and key knowledge partner at the 20th FICCI Higher Education Summit 2025, held from October 6-7, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The summit was preceded by the Vice Chancellors–CEOs Roundtable on October 5, 2025, at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.
Themed “Higher Education in a Transforming World: Bridging Borders, Building Futures,” the 20th edition of the FICCI Higher Education Summit marked two decades of dialogue and action shaping the global education landscape. Since its inception in 2004, the summit has evolved into India’s foremost platform connecting policymakers, academia, and industry, promoting education as a catalyst for sustainable development and international collaboration.
The milestone edition witnessed participation from over 1,200 delegates and 2,000+ students representing 70+ countries, alongside university leaders, policymakers, Nobel laureates, and industry experts. The Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, addressing the inaugural session and conferring the 11th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards.
A highlight of the awards ceremony was the Legendary Institution Builder Award conferred upon Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar, Founder and Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, in recognition of his pioneering vision and transformative contribution to Indian and global higher education. The honor celebrates his five-decade-long journey of promoting international understanding through quality education, which has positioned Symbiosis as a global brand in academia.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University said, “The FICCI Higher Education Summit has become a vital platform to advance India’s higher education diplomacy. As we celebrate two decades of the summit and five years of NEP 2020, the focus must be on creating globally competent institutions through innovation, inclusivity, and international collaboration”.
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Chair, FICCI Higher Education Committee and Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, played a central role in shaping the summit’s agenda. She was joined by Mr. Samir Somaiya, Co-Chair, FICCI Higher Education Committee and President, Somaiya Vidyavihar Group, Lt Gen (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, Co-Chair and Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Mr. Manab Majumdar, Senior Advisor, FICCI.
The two-day summit featured an array of plenary sessions, policy dialogues, and masterclasses addressing critical issues such as artificial intelligence in education, research innovation, and global mobility. The event also witnessed the release of the FICCI–EY Parthenon Knowledge Report titled “Future-Ready Campuses: Unlocking the Power of AI in Higher Education,” which explores how AI can drive institutional efficiency, enhance learning outcomes, and future-proof campuses.
As a key knowledge partner, SIU led deliberations on internationalization and cross-border collaboration, aligning with India’s education diplomacy agenda. The university leveraged the platform to deepen global linkages with strategic partners such as Deakin University (Australia) and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, further reinforcing India’s leadership in transnational education.
Furthering its commitment to India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision, SIU announced the establishment of the Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE) at its Delhi NCR (Noida) campus. The Centre will serve as a hub for engagement with embassies, government agencies, and multilateral organizations, fostering academic diplomacy and international partnerships.
As the FICCI Higher Education Summit 2025 concludes, Symbiosis International University continues to exemplify India’s evolving role as a global education hub – bridging borders, building futures, and empowering learners worldwide.
About Symbiosis International University
Founded in 1971 for international students by Prof. (Dr.) S.B. Mujumdar, Symbiosis International University, has built a distinguished legacy of over 50+ years in world-class education. Rooted in the Vedic philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – “The World is One Family” – Symbiosis International University fosters international understanding through quality education. With students from more than 85 countries, the university is a vibrant hub of academic excellence, research, and cultural diversity. Symbiosis holds prestigious national and international accolades, including an A++ grade and recently ranked 51st in Employer Reputation globally in QS World University Rankings (Asia 2025). It has also been awarded Category-I status by the University Grants Commission (UGC), reaffirming its academic excellence.
Symbiosis in a nutshell: 1100+ Diverse faculty | 150+ MoUs | 130+ Programs | 85+ Student nationalities | 50+ years legacy | 42 Institutes | 13 Research centres
About Symbiosis Dubai
Symbiosis Dubai is the first Indian university in Dubai to launch with full accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), UAE. Located in the heart of Dubai Knowledge Park, it is one of only five universities selected under the India-UAE E33 Bilateral Education Agreement. Backed by over 50+ years of academic excellence, Symbiosis brings its legacy of trust, innovation, and quality education to the UAE. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs designed to prepare students for global careers, including BBA (Hons) and BBA in Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management, and Logistics & Supply Chain Management; BBA Dual Degree with Aston University, UK; B.Com (Hons) and B.Com with ACCA; B.Tech in Computer Engineering; BCA with specializations in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and Data Science; B.Sc (Hons) in Psychology and B.Sc in Psychology with focused areas in Organisational Psychology and Counselling Psychology; BA in Media & Communication with specialisations in Digital Marketing & Advertising, Public Relations, and Corporate Communications; and MBA powered by SIBM Pune, with focused areas in International Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Business Analytics.
