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Internationalisation

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At Symbiosis International University (SIU), internationalisation is central to our academic vision.

We are committed to expanding global horizons through meaningful collaborations with leading higher education institutions worldwide, creating transformative opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers. Through strategic international partnerships, SIU fosters academic enrichment, cross-cultural understanding, and global citizenship. These collaborations enable innovative learning models, joint knowledge creation, and immersive global experiences that prepare graduates to thrive in an interconnected world.

Global Academic Collaborations

SIU actively collaborates with internationally reputed universities ranked within the top 1000 of the Times Higher Education (THE) and QS World University Rankings. These partnerships support a wide range of collaborative academic initiatives, including:

  • Dual Degree Programs
  • Joint Degree Programs
  • Cotutelle (Dual PhD) Programs
  • Twinning Programs
  • Pathway and Progression Arrangements

These programs offer students flexible learning pathways, international exposure, and globally recognised qualifications.

The Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE) serves as the University’s dedicated hub for international engagement and acts as a single point of contact for all global collaborations. The University has framed comprehensive policies to promote internationalisation at both the student and faculty/staff levels. These policies facilitate global engagement, academic mobility, research collaboration, and capacity building across disciplines. SCIE plays a pivotal role in advancing SIU’s internationalisation agenda by:

  • Liaising with foreign universities and global partners
  • Supporting SIU constituent institutes in initiating partnerships and managing approval processes
  • Assisting in the design, launch, and administration of collaborative academic programs
  • Facilitating and managing student mobility under international arrangements
  • Maintaining records and disseminating information related to international collaborations

Symbiosis has established a robust network of international collaborations through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with reputed universities, institutions, and organisations across the globe. These partnerships aim to:

  • Promote academic excellence and innovation
  • Enable collaborative and interdisciplinary research
  • Support faculty and student exchanges
  • Develop joint academic programs
  • Foster cross-cultural learning and global perspectives

Through these MoUs, students and faculty gain access to global exposure, international internships, collaborative research projects, and participation in global academic forums—strengthening SIU’s role in the international higher education ecosystem.

Types of Collaborative Initiatives and Programs

Short term Mobility / Twinning Programs:

SIU strongly promotes international mobility as a key component of holistic education. Our mobility initiatives aim to enhance academic, professional, and cultural learning through:

  • Incoming and outgoing student exchange programs
  • Faculty exchanges, visiting professorships, and joint research initiatives
  • Global internships, work placements, and short-term study programs abroad
  • Strategic international networks that strengthen experiential learning opportunities
  • Continuous tracking and evaluation to ensure meaningful academic and cultural impact

Dual Degree Programs

Dual degree program is jointly designed and offered by SIU and collaborating Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in the same disciplines/subject areas and in the same level. The degrees for such programs are conferred by SIU and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions, separately and simultaneously, upon completion of degree requirements of both the institutions.

Joint Degree Programs

Joint degree program is where the curriculum is designed jointly by SIU and the collaborating Foreign Higher Educational Institution and, upon completion of the program, the Degree is awarded by SIU and the collaborating Foreign Higher Educational Institution with a single Certificate.

Pathway Programs

Pathway programs are an arrangement where students complete a major portion of their academic requirements of a lower degree program at SIU, then proceed to the partner university to complete their program requirements and enter into a higher degree. The credits earned will be integrated into SIU’s lower-level degree through Credit Transfer towards completion and award of the degree certificate.

Progression Arrangements

Progression arrangements refer to collaboration with a partner university where students upon completion of the degree program at SIU apply for higher degree programs at the partner university. Progression will be based on the predetermined entry requirements mutually agreed upon and outlined in the MoU or agreement between both universities.

Faculty Mobility

Scholar-in-Residence (SIR) program:

a. As part of this program academics and researchers are invited to Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU) to work with a specific constituent institute of SIU or multiple constituent institutes for teaching, research and any other similar engagements for a period of 1 to 3 months. Some of the activities that a scholar-in-residence can carry out while at SIU are guest lecturers, workshops, symposia, participation in teaching activities, mentoring students, reviewing and internationalising the curriculum, development and evaluation of research activities, faculty development programs, faculty seminars, conceptualising or contributing to research activities, editing research journals, joint paper presentations in international conferences among others.  They will be provided with support, facilities and/or an honorarium (depending on the nature and duration of engagement) at SIU enabling them to follow a predetermined work schedule for the duration of engagement towards the mutual benefit of Symbiosis, the SIR and/or partner university. 

Visiting Scholar Program

This is an initiative to invite and engage with distinguished    academicians, researchers, scholars and experts from various domains. Scholars can work with any constituent institute or research centre of SIU for a short-term period (1 to 3 weeks) to teach courses in their area of expertise to foster multiculturalism, diversity and academic excellence. They can also engage in research collaboration discussions, conduct faculty development programs, seminars, and workshops. The program facilitates SIU faculty members to share their best academic practices, develop in-house global competencies and build academic associations with international universities.

Other Flagship International Collaboration Initiatives

Symbiosis Aston Research Academy (SARA)

Announced in January 2025, the Symbiosis Aston Research Academy (SARA) is a landmark international research collaboration between Symbiosis International University, India, and Aston University, Birmingham, UK. SARA is dedicated to addressing pressing global challenges through multidisciplinary, high-impact research.

Symbiosis–Deakin Global Learning Hub

In September 2025, SIU and Deakin University, Australia, inaugurated the Symbiosis–Deakin Global Learning Hub, marking a significant milestone in their long-standing partnership. The hub focuses on:

  • Inclusion and gender equity
  • Entrepreneurial research and learning
  • Innovation with strong social impact
  • Creating a globally inclusive academic environment

These initiative reflects a shared commitment to advancing internationalisation and empowering students and researchers worldwide.