Symbiosis Centre for India-Australia Studies (SCIAS)

About SCIAS

India-Australia relations are set to become stronger in recent times; Higher Education has always played a dominant role with a large student outflow from India. Both Countries have introduced initiatives like Colombo Plan, Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF).

In order to further enhance these relations and open up new avenues for Academic initiatives with Australian Universities and to foster Academia-industry relations with focus on SDGs will be the main motive behind setting up of the Symbiosis Centre for India Australia Studies (SCIAS). It will act as an overarching umbrella for all activities involving students and faculty where they can share ideas across disciplines and sectors.

SCIAS was officially launched by Mr Peter Truswell, Consul-General for Australia in Mumbai and Dr Vidya Yeravdekar Pro-Chancellor, SIU.

Semester Exchange Program

Students from SIU Institutes on Semester exchange program at Deakin and Macquarie University with the advantage of transfer of credits earned.

Dual degree programs with Australia to be launched in 2025

Symbiosis Institute of Technology (SIT Pune) and Deakin University Australia have signed the below Dual Degree Programs with Deakin University Australia

- [B. Tech (Computer Science and Engineering) and Bachelor of Cyber Security]

- [B.Tech (Computer Science and Engineering) and Bachelor of Data Science]

- [B. Tech (Civil Engineering) and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)]

In the above dual degree programs students will study the first two years at Symbiosis Institute of Technology (SIT) in Pune and seamlessly transfer to Deakin University to study for two more years to complete program requirements at both universities. At the end of 4 years and upon completing program requirements at both universities two separate degrees shall be awarded by respective universities.

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance (SSBF) and Macquarie University have signed a Dual Degree Program (MBA-Banking and Finance with specialization in Financial Services and a Master of Banking and Finance) This Dual degree program will allow students to earn two Master degrees within two years. This program MBA (Banking and Finance) program with specialization in Financial Services and Master of Banking and Finance with specialization in Financial Management is carefully curated by blending rigorous theoretical insights and practical, real-world applications, the program curriculum will ensure that students are prepared to navigate the complexities of the banking and finance landscape.

Summer schools

Symbiosis students attending Summer School, with transfer of credit

Study India Program

Deakin students undertake a week-long credit based Summer School,some of the topics were Equities and Investment Analysis , Mergers & Acquisitions. The interactions are accompanied by Field Visits to reputed companies with the chance of interacting with the senior Management Team. SIU arranges buddies to assist and accompany students for cultural heritage visits, home visits, tour in the local city markets.

Webinars

• Industry Focused Partnerships collaboration with AIBC, IIT(M)
• Industry-University partnerships for sustainable development Goals was jointly conducted by Deakin and SIU along with other partner Universities and organizations like FICCI, WICCI. The outcome of this was a Portal launched for showcasing virtual internships for students from Australia and India.

Teaching assignments

1. ‘India-Queensland Education Partnership Event’- Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University participating in Panel discussion on Cross border collaborations- partnering for success

2. Dr.Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor SIU is speaking at Australia India Business Exchange- IWD, 8 March, Mumbai

As Australia and India continue to strengthen bilateral trade to expand economic cooperation, it is important to recognize the impact trade has on women led businesses. For Many women, global trade has brought economic empowerment and higher wages. Helping women led businesses exploit opportunities and upgrade their contribution to the value chain is a focus for the South Asian Women’s Network (SAWN).

Faculty/Staff development program :

Dr. Nancy Cromar, University of Adelaide Workshop on Internationalisation og Higher education for Staff and faculty of SIU

Dr. Bhama Venkataramani visited Macquarie University for discussion regarding collaboration and to understand the new Technologies, processes, strategies adopted to enhance the quality of teaching, learning and other pioneering techniques adopted by Macquarie University.

Dr. Jyoti Chandiramani visited Macquarie University and attended seminar on

• Discussion on Demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax

• India’s Development Agenda from MDG’s to SDG’s

And made presentation on the making of the Rural Infrastructure Development Index of Maharashtra, India

Visit to Macquarie University

Dr Anupama Kotur visited Macquarie University 16th to 18th October 2024, Sydney to participate in the VIP Campus Showcase Conference. Macquarie University Campus Showcase Conference consisted of events designed to inform, share and collaborate to create valuable, long-lasting partnerships between partner universities. She initiated two more collaborative program discussions with Macquarie’s Faculty of Arts and School of Business and was also a part of winning team of the MQBS competition

SPARC

This study is funded under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

1. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management and Deakin:
Topic: The Interplay of Social, Human, Financial and Psychological Capital in Shaping Entrepreneurial Outcomes of Women Entrepreneurs: An Indian Perspective
As an outcome of the above project, a cell by the name, “Deakin Symbiosis Women Entrepreneurship Research Alliance (WERA)” was officially launched virtually on the 8th of March 2022.

2. Symbiosis Institute of Technology and University of Queensland
Topic: Women Entrepreneurship Cell: Deakin University, Australia and Symbiosis International University have announced the launch of the Women Entrepreneurship Research Alliance (WERA). aim to introduce meaningful actions to support women’s motivations and expectations about entrepreneurship.”

Women’s Entrepreneurship Research Alliance (WERA)

Founded as a collaborative research initiative and supported by the Government of India’s Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), WERA addresses the underrepresentation of women as entrepreneurs and leaders within entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Deakin University and Symbiosis International University hosted Lean Entrepreneurship Workshop and Pitch Competition to empower women entrepreneurs on November 18–19, 2024 at Pune – WERA aground-breaking initiative co-founded by Deakin University, Australia, and Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), Pune, successfully completed the Lean Entrepreneurship Workshop and Pitch Competition marking a key component of WERA’s commitment to fostering and empowering women entrepreneurs in India by equipping them with essential entrepreneurial skills, insights, and hands-on learning experiences.

Deakin University

Several guest lectures / workshops/ masterclasses were arranged for students at SCMS, SSIS, SSLA, SIT, SCRI, SCMC. Senior Professors from Deakin University who delivered lectures included, Prof. Victoria Duckett Prof. Lubna Alam, Dr Keshav Sood, Prof. George Duke and Rakesh Pati among others.

Macquarie University

Senior Professors from Macquarie University, Dr. Babak Abedin Dr. Prashan Karunaratne and Prof. Simon Guthrie delivered lectures to students at SSBF