Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS) celebrates its silver jubilee

Pune – Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS) under the aegis of Symbiosis International University today celebrated its Silver Jubilee and Foundation Day. The ceremony was by the  Chief Guest- Lt. Gen. Raymond J Noronha (Chief of Staff, HQ Southern Command), and Guest of Honor – Dr. (Col) A Balasubramanian (Founder & Director, Balaji Society). Dr. S B Mujumdar (Founder & President, Symbiosis Society and Chancellor Symbiosis International University), Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar (Principal Director – Symbiosis Society) and Dr. Rajani Gupte (Vice Chancellor – SIU) were also present. On this day, SIMS unveiled the Coffee Table book- journey of SIMS since its inception. The program followed by cultural performances and felicitation of Ex-Directors of SIMS. This ceremony is just the beginning of yearlong celebration planned by the institute.
Dr Rajani Gupte Vice Chancellor Symbiosis International University congratulated SIMS on its 25th anniversary.”I wish the institute many accolades in its future endeavours.”

Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director, Symbiosis Society said ” qualities like flexibility, discipline and hard work among many others are embedded in each student of SIMS as they belong to the defence background. This proves to be a big boon in the corporate world. I appreciate the efforts put in by each director in helping to shape SIMS. We want to be known as an institute providing not only education and employment but also research opportunities. Our aim is to provide education to neighbouring countries as well.”

Dr SB Mujumdar, Chancellor of Symbiosis International University reminiscing down the memory lane states, “once Dr Bala came up with this innovative ideas of having a management institute solely for dependents of defence personals. Slowly steadily and with lots of effort this idea bore fruit in the formation of SIMS. It started off as a Management Studies department at Prabhat Road school. In the year 2000 the then Defence Minister allotted this 4acres of land for SIMS. SIMS could also aptly be called as Symbiosis Innovation for Military Background Students. On this occasion of Silver Jubilee a silver medal will be awarded to an outstanding alumni of SIMS.”Dr. (Col) A Balasubramanian in his speech said,”I am grateful to Dr Mujumdar for providing me with an opportunity to be the director of SIMS. This entire experience has been rewarding and was a stepping stone in building my career.” He urged students to excel and study hard as SIMS is a platform which will help them to build a fulfilling career.

Lt. Gen. Raymond J Noronha in his address said, “Dr Mujumdar is a visionary who thought of creating an institution for Defence wards only. This itself is a typical case study of a great leader. The army and organisation will certainly try to support them to build more SIMS’s across India.”
While addressing the gathering Brig (Dr) Rajiv Divekar(Retd.), Director, SIMS said, “Today marks the 25th Founder Day of SIMS and it heralds the commencement of the Silver Jubilee year. The Silver Jubilee Founder Day function is to recognise and honour the sterling contribution of those stalwarts who were responsible for founding SIMS and taking it through its journey of 24 years. SIMS is grateful to Dr S B Mujumdar the Founder and President Symbiosis Society and Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director Symbiosis Society for their sterling leadership, guidance and encouragement which has helped SIMS to perform and be an institute of repute.”

“SIMS has over the years become a top rated management institute. SIMS has over 8000 alumni who are doing exceedingly well in their careers. There are a large number  in top positions in their company and many who have turned entrepreneurs. SIMS truly breeds achievers and go getters. SIMS has been fostering leadership for last 24 years,” he asserted.

The journey of SIMS begun in the year 1993 when Dr. S B Majumdar realised the difficulties of defence personnel and their dependents faced in obtaining high quality education and decided to venture forth and established what was initially called a Department of Management Studies for Defence Personnel and their Dependents, which was renamed as Symbiosis Department of Management Studies in  1995 and Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies in 1996 under the directorship of Col A Balasubramanian (first director of SIMS). In Initial years SIMS was started in Symbiosis Primary School premises as evening classes with MDBA degree reached its own campus in the year 2003. This journey from school premises to its own campus was started from the visit of the Gen. Shankar Roychowdhary (Chief of Staff of India), who came across the problem faced by student in informal interaction. It was the initiative and action of Gen. V P Mallik who convinced then Defence Minister Mr. George Ferenandes who further projected the case to the Ministry of Defence which helped in getting a principle acceptance of giving 4.5 acres of defence land on lease of 90 years to SIMS which resulted as in 2000 an MOU was signed between Symbiosis Society and Ministry of Defence. The Bhumi Pujan was performed on June 21, 2000 and SIMS shifted to new campus on August 11, 2002.

SIMS is the only successful example of a public-private partnership existing in higher education between Symbiosis International University and the Ministry of Defence. SIMS is moving fast with focus, deftness and dedication on its journey to ‘Make a Difference’…..