Symbiosis changes its name due to UGC directive

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on November 29th sent a final notice, warning seven institutes to drop the ‘University’ tag from their names. This warning insisted that the universities should do so by 4.P.M. on the 30^th of November. If the universities fail to do so, they will lose their status of being a Deemed University.

Symbiosis, one of the seven institutes mentioned has agreed to this directive of UGC. It wrote to the UGC on the 27^th of November, Monday and stated that its new name would be Symbiosis International (Deemed University).

The previous name of the institute was Symbiosis International University.

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Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director of Symbiosis has said that they had no other option. He also stated that many other universities to which this warning was issued have requested a stay order from the Supreme Court. He added that, if the stay order is approved, then the institute should be allowed to retain its previous name.

In early November, UGC wrote to 123 deemed-to-be-universities asking them to drop ‘University’ from their names. Dr.Vidya Yeravdekar has put forward an argument that this move of the UGC shall affect Symbiosis International’s collaborations with foreign institutes and foreign and Indian students who study in the institute.

Other sources have said that many institutes among the 123 had agreed to UGC’s directive. It is also said that 29 institutes including Symbiosis had not replied to UGC’s letter.

 About Symbiosis International University:

• Symbiosis International University is a private university with its headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra.
• It has 28 institutions under it, spread over as many as 10 locations.
• It was established in 1971 and given autonomous status in 2002.
• The QS World University has ranked Symbiosis International University in the 247^th position in Asia.
• The Chancellor of the university is S.B. Majumdar. The university offers various degrees in varied disciplines.