Leadership

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar is the Principal Director of Symbiosis Society, and the Pro Chancellor of Symbiosis International (Deemed University). The Symbiosis International (Deemed University) is a multi-disciplinary, multinational, multi-cultural University that having 45000 students from all States of India and international students from 85 countries. The Symbiosis Society not only has under its ambit the Symbiosis International University but also has K12 Schools, College of Arts and Commerce and Museums- the Afro Asian cultural museum and the Dr. Ambedkar Museum.

Dr. Vidya holds a Post Graduate Degree in Medicine, a Degree in Law and Ph.D. in 'Internationalisation of Higher Education in India’. Having presented papers at various National & International Conferences, she has numerous research publications to her credit and has also authored several books. Ranked No.14 amongst India’s top 25 Powerful Women, Dr. Vidya has been instrumental in bringing in innovative approaches to promote internationalisation of higher education in India.

As a member of University Grants Commission (UGC) for two terms, Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) under Ministry of Education and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under Ministry of External Affairs, she has been a facilitator of innovative approaches to higher education in India.

Dr. Vidya has been appointed as a member of the expert group on Global Outreach of Higher Education, formulated by UGC to implement the National Education Policy 2020 that was rolled out by the Ministry of Education Govt. of India, member of the Advisory Group of Analytical and Advisory work (ASA) World Bank, Advisory Committee of the IAU for the global survey on internationalization and member of the Board of Trustees of Muscat University, Oman.

She is a Chairperson of the FICCI Committee on Higher Education and serving 3rd term. Dr. Vidya has been appointed as Member of India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) Trust set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India, to promote the ‘Brand India’ label in overseas markets, member of the Expert Group constituted by the UGC for Development of Educational Framework for Global Citizenship in Higher Education Institutions and UGC Expert Committee constituted to prepare the guidelines for Credit-Based Courses and Internship opportunities.

She has elected as Member of the Central Governing Council of Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) set up by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Member of the General Assembly of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Governing Body of Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), Governing Board member of the International Sports University, Government of Maharashtra and Member of the NEP implementation committee of Government of Maharashtra. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Bajaj Holdings & Investment Limited.

Dr. Vidya has been appointed as the first Chair of the OBREAL Global India Chapter a for a period of 3 years. She is a member on the Board of several organisations like Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, Research Committee of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Public Health Foundation of India, Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences Indore, Symbiosis Skills and Open University, Pune. She is a member of many corporate bodies such as Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Confederation of India Industry (CII), Maratha Chambers of Commerce and Industries (MCCIA) and Not for profit organisations like HK Firodiya Foundation, India International Centre (IIC), Pune International Centre (PIC) & Pune Citizens Police Foundation (PCPF).

She has also been a member on many other organizations such as Independent Director on the Board of RITES Limited under Ministry of Railways, Government of India, Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP) Committee, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Yeshwantaro Chavan Maharashtra Open University, State Knowledge Advisory Board of Higher Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Sub-Group on Higher & Technical Education and Skill Development of Chief Minister’s Advisory Council, Government of Rajasthan.

Dr. Vidya’s hard work has won her numerous awards and accolades. Her continuous endeavour to innovate and initiate has helped Symbiosis attain its present respect and admiration. Having accomplished all such feats, Dr. Vidya is now committed to shaping Indian higher education globally through her extensive work in the field of internationalisation of higher education.

Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman, an accomplished academician and seasoned professional, is the Vice Chancellor at Symbiosis International (Deemed University). With a remarkable educational journey that includes a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and Engineering and an MBA in Systems and Marketing, and a doctoral degree in Management from Pune University, Dr. Raman brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this esteemed institution. His extensive career spanning over two decades is a testament to his diverse experience in the corporate, academic, and research domains. He has served Symbiosis for over a decade in different capacities including Professor & Director Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology, Professor & Director Symbiosis Institute of Business Management – Pune, Dean – Faculty of Management and Director – Strategy & Development. Dr. Raman's contributions extend beyond the classroom, as he has been instrumental in fostering international collaborations with universities in Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States. His prolific research in Information Systems, IT Strategy, Entrepreneurship, AI, Big Data, has earned him recognition with international academia. He has published several papers in reputed International Journals indexed in SCOPUS and Web of Science.

Prof. (Dr.) Shrirang Altekar holds a Ph.D. in Consumer Behavior. He is also an alumnus of the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune itself, a top B - School in India, from where he obtained his Master’s in Business Administration, with Marketing as his area of specialization.He has extensive knowledge of technical and non-technical areas of business and has been involved in running businesses at the strategic level. He comes with a total experience of more than 40 years, with industry experience of 23 years, and academic experience of 17 + years, with over 12 years’ experience as a Director. He has worked in a consulting, advisory and learning and development capacity with several corporates in the FMCG, Insurance, Manufacturing, Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Aviation Sectors. His love for academics and a desire to give back to his Alma Mater coincided with a planned shift to academics in 2006. Prof. Altekar also holds a degree in Law, and is a member of the All India Management Association, New Delhi. He was the Chairman of the Curriculum Evaluation Committee and the Academic Audit Committee of the Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU) for 2 years.

Prof. Altekar has served on several Committees of Symbiosis and the Symbiosis International (Deemed University). He is a member of the Academic Council as well as the Board of Studies of the University. He was also a member of the Board of University Development, SIU. He Chairs the Board of Studies Sub – Committees on General Management and Strategy of the Faculty of Management of SIU. In the past, he has also been nominated on the Departmental Promotions Committee and the Post Membership Academic Committee of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, a statutory body formed under an Act of Parliament. He has also been nominated on a Task Force Committee by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for driving Excellence in Sports Universities. Prof. Altekar has been a member of the Higher Education Committee of the Indo - French Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a few years, and also was the Vice Chairman of the Committee. In 2020, he was awarded the Academic Leader of Ideas and Innovation award by ASSOCHAM.

Prof. Altekar has been invited to lecture at prestigious institutions like the Higher Command Wing, Army War College, MHOW, the UGC Academic Staff College, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi. He has also been invited as a panelist and keynote speaker by various organizations like the Dainik Bhaskar group, The Times of India Group, and IFCCI. He has been instrumental in bringing to his students some of the best practices in industry, to enhance and supplement their academic inputs, and is highly acknowledged as a Teacher and a Learning and Development expert.

He was the Director of SCMS Noida for 8 years, and is widely credited with having brought it up to feature in the top 25 BBA Institutes in India in 2018. He has founded and headed Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, ( the flagship brand of Symbiosis ) in Nagpur. Currently, he also holds charge of Symbiosis Centre for Corporate Education, Nagpur, and has founded, and held charge of Symbiosis Centre for Skill Development, Nagpur, from April 2019 to June 2021. From April, 2019, till 31st March, 2021, he was also entrusted the additional responsibility of founding and establishing Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Nagpur.

As a proven campus and institution builder, he is now back with his Alma Mater as the Director, SIBM Pune.