Appointment of Dr. Swati Mujumdar as Chancellor
Dr. Swati Mujumdar was felicitated and formally appointed Chancellor of Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) at a ceremony held on Thursday at the university’s Kiwale campus in Pune. The ceremony was graced by Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil, Hon'ble Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra, who served as Chief Guest, and Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Hon'ble Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Maharashtra, who acted as Guest of Honour. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, President and Founder of Symbiosis, presided over the programme, while university representatives including Dr. Gauri Shiurkar (Director, School of Architecture), Dr. Raghavan Santhanam (Dean, School of Management), Mr. Ashish Limgire (Registrar, School of Engineering Sciences), and Dr. Narendra Soni (Registrar, SSPU) participated.
Background and Contributions of Dr. Swati Mujumdar
Dr. Mujumdar’s professional journey began with experience in the technology sector in the United States before she returned to India to develop an education model that bridges conventional qualifications and workplace requirements. In 2011 she chaired the Government of Maharashtra’s committee on vocational education and skill development, contributing to policy discussions on vocational education and workforce development. She subsequently played a defining role in creating a residential skill‑university model, first implemented through Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences in Indore and later advanced through the establishment of SSPU in Pune, Maharashtra’s first Skill Development University.
Growth and Achievements of SSPU
Under Dr. Mujumdar’s leadership, SSPU has evolved into a multidisciplinary university serving emerging sectors such as advanced manufacturing, mechatronics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, logistics, media, finance, sustainable energy, defence and aerospace. The university’s model places practical and experiential learning at the centre of degree education through industry‑informed curricula, laboratories, workshops, learning factories, live projects, simulations, internships, corporate mentoring and entrepreneurship pathways. SSPU was ranked No. 1 in India in the NIRF Skill Universities category for both 2024 and 2025. The institution maintains collaboration agreements with more than 200 leading industries, ensuring curricula are co‑created with industry leaders. Diploma programmes targeting grassroots learners have attracted women who account for 90 % of participation, and 25 % of the trained learners have launched independent enterprises. SSPU also hosts the UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development and the UNESCO‑UNEVOC Centre, reinforcing its focus on gender inclusion, green skills, digital transformation and resilient workforce systems.
Future Role as Chancellor
As Chancellor, Dr. Mujumdar will guide SSPU in strengthening academic programmes, expanding skills infrastructure, deepening industry partnerships, advancing research, fostering entrepreneurship, promoting inclusive education and enhancing international collaboration. Her appointment represents continuity of the Symbiosis legacy while marking a new chapter in the university’s mission to connect education with practical capability, employment and enterprise.