New Delhi, October 09, 2025.
Symbiosis International University,one of
India’s most premier higher education institutions, successfully concluded its
active participation as asponsor 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 Universitycontinues to exemplify India’s
evolving role as a global education hub - bridging borders, building futures,
and empowering learners worldwide.