We, at Symbiosis and SCIE, believe in providing the feeling of being ‘Home Away from Home’ to international students by bridging the gap and being there for them. This department has the goal of ensuring student comfort while at Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and also of communicating with foreign students in their home countries. By understanding the importance of ensuring a fulfilling experience, both academic and social, this department focuses on assisting foreign students to adapt to their new home. The students are encouraged to contact this department when faced with problems – academic, administrative, and even issues that are not directly related to the University, such as dealing with formalities at the Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO).
The vision of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) is to ‘Promote International Understanding through Quality Education’.
The department has initiated the “buddy” system, which refers to the practice of assigning a mentor to each international student. The “buddy” will be an Indian domestic student, who is familiar with the city of Pune. The “buddy” will be encouraged to help the student overcome challenges big and small – that are related to the institute and the University, as well as everyday problems related to settling down in India.
The department will conduct periodic meetings with international students in their individual institutes. The informal meetings are aimed at providing an opportunity to the students to share their experiences, both good and bad, giving an opportunity to solve these by initiating changes either in policy or regular activities.
This will help in making the international students’ experience at Symbiosis International (Deemed University) a pleasant and memorable one.
The International Students’ Council is a student body for the smooth functioning of the activities and events for international students.
- 1. The procedure for elections to the students’ council will be conducted every year.
- 2. The tenure of the students’ council will be for one year from the period of formation, till the next Council is elected.
- 3. The Students’ Council will consist of the following posts
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4.a) 6 positions will be open for elections amongst foreign national students studying at Symbiosis.
b) 6 positions will be open for foreign national students studying in other universities than Symbiosis. These members will be nominated by Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, President & Founder Director, Symbiosis Society, and Chancellor, Symbiosis International University.
c) 3 positions will be open for NRI students studying at Symbiosis. These members will be nominated by Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director, Symbiosis, and Executive Director, Symbiosis Centre for International Education. - 5. All foreign national students who are studying at the Symbiosis institutes as well as other universities in Pune are eligible to vote in this election. All NRI students who are studying at Symbiosis are eligible to vote in this election. All such students will need to carry and produce their valid institute/university Identity Card at the time of elections, along with their valid RP copy.
- 6. Maximum number of countries to be represented in the student council hence, if there are more than one candidate from one country, the candidate with the highest number of votes will be elected to the student council.
- 7. The President of the Council must necessarily be a foreign national student studying at Symbiosis. This position will be filled in through an internal election (with 15 student council members voting)
- 8. The position of Vice President is open to any student from the selected Council. This position will be filled in through an internal election (with 15 student council members voting)
- 9.There will be an Election Committee consisting of
- 10. Election will be conducted by a Secret Ballot Vote.
- 11. Counting of votes will be done immediately after the votes are cast. During counting one representative of each candidate will be present to witness the process.
- 12. In case of any tie at the time of electing President and Vice President, SCIE staff shall have the right to vote for the candidate who has equal votes and will announce the final result.
- 13. Any dispute or protest will be forwarded to the Election Committee. The decision of the Election Committee will be final and binding on all.
- 14. The 15 members of the new student council will conduct a meeting to finalize posts.
- 15. All members elected into this Council will need to sign an undertaking of commitment to the student council in the presence of the Election Committee
- 16. Any council member not attending 3 meetings (excluding medical and exam reasons with evidence) will receive a show cause notice and must address reasons for absence to the student council. The member may be expelled from the student council if the reasons for absence are not considered valid.
- 17. The members will formally begin with their responsibilities after the Oath Taking Ceremony at Symbiosis.
Symbiosis International Students’ Council is a body elected for the smooth functioning of the day to day activities of international students studying in various institutions of Symbiosis and other institutes/ country associations in the city.
President
- Head ISC
- Supervise smooth functioning of routine activities
- Formal reporting of events
- Liaising with various FSA in Pune about the functions organized by the council
- Link between SCIE & FSA
- Help SCIE in data collection & updating of international students info. on website
- Assist SCIE in planning orientation programs for int. students
- Depute alternative council member in case of absence of given portfolio holder
Vice President
- Assist President
- Take charge in absence of President
- Assist rector in routine hostel activities (S. B. Road campus)
- Liaise with SCIE, FSA & int. hostel students in council matters
General Secretary
- Supervise over other council members
- Conduct monthly council meetings & M.O.M to SCIE
- Conduct monthly general body meeting (all int. students in hostels & other institutes) 1ce in 6 months.
- Informing council about organizing upcoming events & distribute work
- Distribute circulars of events in/by SCIE to hostelites.
- Maintain data of all contact details of those associated with international associations (e.g. Embassies, Country Associations etc.)
Cultural Coordinator
- Liaise & keep regular contact with various cultural institutions/organizations/Various embassies in Pune
- Keep contact with all symbiosis cultural groups (arts, community work, social service, environmental groups, science and technology groups,culinary groups, film and television groups etc.)
- Ensure max. representation for every flag presentation ceremony
Sports Coordinator
- Liaise & keep regular contact with various sports organizations in Pune
- Assist SCIE in organizing a sports week 1ce a year for international students
- Inform/communicate with all int. students/council about upcoming sports events
- Recommend additional sports activities to SCIE for int. students
Administrative Coordinator
- Maintain a log of Council activities which require members to travel anywhere in the city, officially
- Maintain a record of any stationery given to the Council
- Maintain record of CD’s / photographs (related to any event), for circulation amongst interested students
- To maintain a check list of all allotted responsibilities during the organization of any function.
Student Care Coordinator
- Assist SCIE in resolving any difficulties faced by international students.
- Inform SCIE about problems faced by int. students with the Police/FRO or any other authorities
- Visit any ailing student admitted in the hospital, on behalf of the Council & update SCIE
- Inform int. students about their country associations and other relevant contact details during orientation
Public Relations Coordinator
- To liaise with the press and media through the SCIE Office for promotion of all activities (sports/cultural etc.) conducted by the Symbiosis
- Stay informed about all promotional happenings in int. student’s countries & inform SCIE about the same
- Publish newsletter (once in a two months) highlighting all Council activities (completed and up-coming)
- Assist SCIE in publishing monthly feature in local newspapers regarding a particular country and its unique features.
Finance Coordinator
- Budget preparation (of estimated expenditure) to be submitted to (SCIE), a month before every event
- Submission of Statement of Accounts (of actual expenditure) to SCIE 15 days post event
- To get sponsorships for major events organized by the Symbiosis.
