Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning – Silver Jubilee Celebration

Special Career Acceleration Masterclass Held in Mumbai to Mark the Silver Jubilee of Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL)

Pune, July 1, 2025 – As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), a special Career Acceleration Masterclass was organized in Mumbai. The event included sessions on career counselling, Dale Carnegie Leadership Masterclass, presentation on SCDL, awards ceremony, and an HR Round Table Conference, providing valuable guidance to the attendees. The event received an overwhelming response from students, job seekers, graduates, entry and mid-level professionals, alumni, corporate professionals, and HR personnel aiming to shift or grow in their careers.
Present at the event were:
• Dr. Swati S. Mujumdar, Principal Director, Symbiosis Open Education Society
• Sonali Kadam, Deputy Director, SCDL
• Nikhil Vaidya, Head of Operations, SCDL
• Shalini Nair, Head of Student Welfare
• Ashish Pandita, Corporate Head
As one of India’s leading autonomous educational institutions, SCDL has delivered quality education to over 1 million learners and currently has more than 80,000 active students across the country. SCDL offers a range of specially designed postgraduate programs tailored for graduates and working professionals. It is one of the largest private distance learning institutions in India. Since its establishment in 2001, SCDL has been a pioneer in providing flexible, high-quality education to thousands of learners in India and abroad.
Located in the heart of Pune, SCDL boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, qualified and dedicated faculty, and advanced digital learning systems. It has built a strong reputation for delivering industry-oriented postgraduate diploma programs across various sectors. In addition to individual programs, SCDL also partners with leading local, national, and international organizations to offer customized corporate programs, as part of which this seminar was conducted. The event offered career counselling on various topics and highlighted the different opportunities available in the current job market.
Dr. Swati S. Mujumdar, Principal Director of Symbiosis Open Education Society, stated:
“It’s heartening to see so many corporate trainers and alumni gathered here today. The idea of SCDL originated when General Alu Walia suggested to our Chancellor, Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, to start programs for armed forces personnel who couldn’t come to Pune for education. Thus, SCDL was born out of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, started in 1995.
By 2001, the programs were opened to civilians and their children. After returning from the U.S. in 2003, I took charge of SCDL, which then had very few students and limited use of technology.
In 2003-04, we launched e-learning, computerized programs, computerized exams, and on-demand exams, helping connect students from across India..
Symbiosis was founded by a teacher . There’s a vast difference between an educational institution started by a businessman and one started by a teacher. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar was a teacher. Today, Symbiosis students are spread across the globe. Seeing this large gathering here brings immense joy.”

Highlights from the Event:
HR Round Table Conference
This strategic session brought together leaders, industry experts, and talent management professionals from the Human Resource field. The roundtable featured discussions on emerging trends in workforce management, organizational development, and employee engagement. Key topics included:
• Talent acquisition and retention strategies
• The future of work and hybrid working models
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
• Employee wellness and work culture
• Technology in HR digital transformation
• Actionable insights and open dialogue among like-minded leaders
Dale Carnegie Leadership Masterclass
This internationally recognized leadership development program focused on enhancing leadership abilities, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. Based on Dale Carnegie’s classic book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, the masterclass empowered participants to:
• Lead with confidence
• Build trust
• Inspire their teams
• Develop effective interpersonal relationships
• Lead in dynamic environments
• Improve group performance
• Manage stress and conflict
• Influence without authority
The session used real-life examples, proven frameworks, and interactive discussions. Mid-level managers and experienced professionals found it particularly beneficial.
During the event, alumni from Mumbai were honored. Taking advantage of this historic milestone, SCDL is conducting a nationwide series of Career Growth Seminars. This Mumbai event was part of that series, offering young students and professionals across the country a valuable and free learning opportunity.