Symbiosis - Heritage

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But it is that involves deliberation and much hesitation. The Symbiosis journey however began with a surge of enthusiasm spurred on by an incident that, in itself, makes a poignant tale. It is an inspiring tale and in the words of the founder of Symbiosis, Prof. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, it says: “It was afternoon on a hot day. I was standing near a window of my house overlooking the first hostel block, of which I was a rector. A strange thing happened. A girl walked up to the window of the boy’s hostel room, quickly handed over something and disappeared. My curiosity was aroused and I kept watching the girl walking up to the window day after day and suspected, like any other rector would, that an affair was afoot. So one day, I made up my mind and walked up to the door and knocked. When the door opened, I saw a Mauritian student lying in bed. His face was pale and his eyes seemed to have sunken low.

I was puzzled !!

When I turned to the boy for an explanation, he said, “Sir, I have an attack of jaundice and I’m feeling extremely weak. I cannot stand up, nor walk a few steps. A girl from my country brings me food. However, since ladies are not allowed to enter the boy’s hostel, she hands over the lunch box through the window.”

I was stunned, after all, it wasn’t the type of ‘affair’ I had expected. I was very much pained and decided something had to be done about this. That was the instance! A golden moment! “Symbiosis was born”.

Symbiosis is a term in life science, meaning ‘living together of two different organisms for the benefit of each other. Prof. Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, himself a professor of botany, thought this name apt for the institution.

Thus the institution was founded to alleviate the problems faced by foreign students coming to India. At the time, these problems included- accommodation, meals, medical care, guidance, coaching, information about the city etc.

Symbiosis has come a long way since then. Today it is a home to students from more than 74 different countries. These students are offered the best learning resources, industry, exposure, a strong International Students’ Alumni network, a global recognition and above all, a truly enriching India experience.