About Us

Sandipani Hometel

Sandipani Hometel is one of the best places in West Pune with our Leadership Development Centre, a premium residential training facility.

Located in the picturesque setting on a hilltop admit lush green mountains at Lavale. It is part of Symbiosis International University campus. We have total 98 fully furnished comfortable rooms. All rooms are equipped with a Television set with DTH, Tea/Coffee Maker, Mini Fridge and Air Conditioning etc.

Inhouse we have two restaurants - Mkahawa Cafe - Multi Cuisine All Day Dining, Cibo Bello - Pizza Restaurant.
We have 12,000 sq. ft. lawn which can be used for Yoga Sessions, team building exercise etc.
We have 8 training/ banquets rooms. All these banquet rooms are air conditioned, LCD Projector, AV System, White Board and comfortable seating. Sandipani Hometel is close to Hinjewadi IT Park, NH4, Pirangut MIDC with easy access to the major sightseeing attractions in and around Pune City.

Our World

Symbiosis Motto

"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam" means "World is one Family" Symbiosis is a family of academic institutions which include University, Colleges, Centres, and Schools which have been imparting quality education for 50 years. It is host to over 40,000 Indian and International students on campus.

These campuses epitomize the Symbiosis vision, 'Promoting International Understanding through Quality Education', and are a beehive of international students from all across the globe, being privy to Indian culture and hospitality. Many of these campuses are fully residential and have recreational facilities which include swimming pools, amphitheaters & Health Care centres.

Founder President
Prof. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar (M.Sc. Ph.D.)

Distinguished Academician & Educationist
Inspired by the ideals of 'Vishwa Bharati' of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and 'Antar Bharati' of Sane Guruji and with a deep desire to help foreign students, an idea of 'Symbiosis' was conceived by Dr. S.B. Mujumdar in the year 1971. The motto of Symbiosis is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and truly for the foreign students at Pune it is a 'Home away from Home'.

Symbiosis today comprises of Institutes, Colleges, Centres and Schools imparting training in diverse disciplines. It has students who hail from all states of India and more than 85 different countries. Symbiosis is known to be a Multicultural, Multilingual and Multinational institution. An institution, where academic democracy prevails. Where law is the religion and freedom of thought and expression is the spirit. Where equality is not preached but practiced. Where Innovation, Passion and Compassion is nurtured.

As a distinguished academician and educationist, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar's vision has blossomed into a large educational complex from his caring and concern for international students at Pune. His long illustrious career was recognized by the President of India in the prestigious award :

"Padma Shri" in 2005

"Padma Bhushan" in 2012

Born in a small town Gadhinglaj, near Pune, he obtained a first class first in M.Sc. (Botany) and a Doctorate in Microbiology. He was the Head of the Department of Botany, Fergusson College, Pune for 20 years. He has written many standard books and published several papers in national and international journals. He was also a member of the Executive Council of the Pune University for 9 years.

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"Padma Shri" in 2005

"Padma Bhushan" in 2012

Principal Director, Symbiosis
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar
Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International University

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar is the Principal Director of Symbiosis Society, and Pro Chancellor of Symbiosis International University. Symbiosis International University is a multi-disciplinary, multinational, multi-cultural University having more than 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. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum & Memorial.

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 third term. She is also the Vice President of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA). 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, UGC Expert Committee constituted to prepare the guidelines for Credit-Based Courses and Internship opportunities and Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Museum, Kolkata.

She has been 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), Mahratta Chambers of Commerce and Industries (MCCIA) and Not for profit organisations like HK Firodiya Foundation, India International Centre (IIC) & Pune International Centre (PIC)

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 to name a few.

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.

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Our Values

Inspired by the ideals of 'Vishwa Bharati' of Gurudev Tagore and 'Antar Bharati' of Sane Guruji and with a deep desire to help foreign students, an idea of 'Symbiosis' was conceived by Dr. S. B. Mujumdar in year 1971. The motto of Symbiosis is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. Indeed, the motto is aptly justified in Symbiosis' functioning pattern as it proves to be a ground that nurtures and cares for all students immaterial of their backgrounds.

Value in the Name
The basic value thread at Symbiosis is that of caring and nurturing. The thread expands into a finely woven symbiotic system where thousands benefit. The name Symbiosis was coined with a special meaning – that of allowing various international cultures to culminate at a point and grow together. The idea was to promote a healthy and nurturing atmosphere for all students and the term 'Symbiosis' perfectly suited as it stands for co habitat of biological systems.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World Is One Family
In ancient Hindu and Vedic philosophy, the world was construed as a huge family. The Vedic civilization did not regard the geographical boundaries as a division of the world. The thought that the entire earth is united in essence and a huge family imprinted on the Vedic lifestyle. The Sanskrit phrase, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the earth is a single family) signifies this thought. Inspired by this philosophy, Dr. Mujumdar put his first steps forward as he created a blueprint for Symbiosis in 1971. He truly believed that the various foreign students studying at his institution were all part of a huge family.

Through his experience at the Fergusson College, he pondered on the difficulties faced by foreign students. Thus in 1971 he established "Symbiosis", which means 'living together of two different organisms for mutual benefit'. Therefore, the main dictum at Symbiosis is "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"

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