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 55000 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. Symbiosis International University has campuses in India spread across different cities viz. Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad & NOIDA and has established its first International campus in Dubai, UAE.
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 & globally.
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 sixth 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, UGC Expert Committee to frame norms for HEls to enroll foreign students & several others of committees of UGC, Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Museum, Kolkata and Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
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 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, Biocon Academy, Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences Indore, Symbiosis Skills and Open University, Pune. She is a member of many corporate bodies such as Confederation of India Industry (CII) and Not for profit organisations like HK Firodiya Foundation, Jamnalal Bajaj 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 unceasing dedication to innovation and proactive initiatives has been instrumental in elevating Symbiosis to its current stature of esteem and admiration. Particularly remarkable is the presence of the Honorable Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, at the Symbiosis Golden Jubilee commemoration ceremony, where he inaugurated the 'Symbiosis Aarogya Dham.' This comprehensive and holistic healthcare campus houses advanced facilities and cutting-edge research centers focused on medical and allied health.
A significant recent milestone for the university is the establishment of the Symbiosis Medical College for Women. Pioneering in its nature, it is Maharashtra's first fully residential medical college for girls, offering free medical education to five deserving young women annually. The Symbiosis University Hospital & Research Centre (SUHRC), with a capacity of 900 beds, provides free medical treatment and delivers high-quality healthcare to the neighboring villages. Impressively, the hospital attends to over 1200 patients daily and is the sole healthcare institution for four districts and 142 villages. Notably, Symbiosis took the lead in extending COVID-related services during the critical times of the pandemic.
Dr. Vidya firmly believes that educational institutions are responsible for upholding their commitment to Institutional Social Responsibility. To this effect, the university boasts a robust Symbiosis Community Outreach Programme and Extension (SCOPE) Centre. This initiative is dedicated to positively impacting the communities in the university's vicinity. Through SCOPE, the university has adopted multiple villages and hamlets, offering services encompassing healthcare, sanitation, waste resource management, financial and banking assistance, digital literacy, legal counseling, and scholarships. The introduction of Family Doctor Clinics (FDCs) and Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) has extended healthcare support to numerous villages in the Pune district.
A distinctive feature of this university is the strategic proximity of its technology institute and healthcare complex. This arrangement creates a conducive ecosystem that fosters innovation and nurtures startups aimed at addressing local challenges. In an exceptional move, the university offers a course in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam, emphasizing the importance of sensitivity, appreciation, and open-minded acceptance of diversity among its students. This distinctive blend of initiatives underscores Symbiosis' commitment to excellence and holistic societal development.
As a TEDx speaker, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar has powerfully shared her vision of inclusive, globally relevant education and women’s empowerment, inspiring audiences with her deep insights and transformative journey. Her TEDx talk reflects her unwavering commitment to breaking barriers, shaping young minds, and driving societal change through education and leadership.
Dr. Vidya’s hard work has won her numerous awards and accolades. She has been conferred D.Lit. by Deakin University, Australia for her contribution in the internationalisation of higher education. 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.
