3rd Convocation Ceremony of Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce (An autonomous college under SPPU)
“Students should be allowed to shop freely in the mall of education. Education is too holistic and diverse to be contained in the water tight compartments of arts, science and humanities, rather it must be integrated as a whole in order to achieve development in the true sense,” said Shri. Vinod Tawde, Hon’ble Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra, at the Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce (SCAC) 3rd Convocation ceremony held today. He stressed on the importance of ‘Shrama-Nishtha’ and how there is a dire need to change the mindset towards education. He quoted the example of Sonam Wangchuk and explained the importance of teaching methodology over curriculum. “India needs to harness its demographic dividend, for that students need to be on the forefront and think local and reach global.”
“Dikshant (convocation) actually marks the conclusion of guidance from external teachers and beginning of learning from within oneself,” he concluded.
Dr. Nitin Karmalkar, Vice Chancellor, SPPU was the ‘Guest of Honour at the ceremony. He emphasized, “Education gives us dignity through which we can participate in the economic development of the country and also contribute in elevating the stature of the nation. India with a population of around 1.3 billion people faces a challenge when it comes to job opportunities. In response Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started various schemes like Start up India, Skill development etc. to meet this uphill task.”
Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, Founder and President, Symbiosis, proposed, “Blending together of different disciplines such as humanities, engineering and sciences. Science and humanities must have a symbiotic relationship because we need technology, but we also need poets, authors, historians, and economists.”
He adds, “SCAC has initiated a variety of innovative subjects and courses including certificate courses and a Diploma in Liberal Arts. SCAC aligns closely with our motto, ‘Vasudeva Kutumbhakam’, i.e. only people with large hearts can recognize that the whole world is a global village and that we all are one’.”
He advised students to be innovative, compassionate and empathetic, the cardinal excellence qualities which will take them a long way in life ahead.
Dr. Vidya Yerawdekar, Principal Director, Symbiosis congratulated SCAC for its exemplary work in the field of Higher Education. “Symbiosis has consistently been committed to innovation, not only in terms of quality education but also in terms of value education that extends beyond the four walls of classroom. Be it ACCA, Honours programme, Liberal Arts, Centre for Skill Development, teachers are enthusiastic to impart value education and a sense of social responsibility in the students to become responsible citizens.”
During this convocation ceremony 476 undergraduate students were conferred Degrees across both faculties- Arts and Commerce. The Degree with Honours was also awarded to B. A. and B. Com students. The students specializing from the Arts faculty consisted of Economics, English and Psychology, while the Commerce faculty included Banking, Costing, Entrepreneurship and Marketing. Student ranked in Arts faculty- Ananya Dutta and from Commerce faculty- Simran Chhabra
