Aston University and Symbiosis International (Deemed University) sign strategic partnership agreement
• Wide-ranging institutional strategic agreement will see the universities collaborate across teaching, research, visiting staff positions, capacity building and enterprise
• The strategic partnership builds on successful ongoing visiting positions, collaborative research projects and teaching collaborations in areas such as business and management, engineering, health, machine learning and AI
• The agreement was signed on 19 June 2024 at Aston University in Birmingham.
21 June 2024 | Birmingham, UK
Aston University in Birmingham, UK and Symbiosis International (Deemed University) in Pune, India have signed an agreement to form a strategic partnership between the two institutions, collaborating on a wide range of projects and activities in India, the UK and Dubai.
Symbiosis International is the second highest ranked private university in India in the 2025 QS World University rankings.
The areas of collaborative activity will include teaching and learning, research, enterprise, executive education, joint conferences and events and the sharing of good practice.
The official signing by Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University and Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor and Principal Director of Symbiosis International took place on 19 June during a visit to Aston University.
In addition to the strategic partnership, a cotutelle agreement in biosciences was also signed by Professor Subic and Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Provost of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Symbiosis International.
During the visit, the delegation from Symbiosis International met with senior staff from across Aston University.
Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Dr Vidya Yeravdekar from Symbiosis International to Aston University to officially sign the strategic partnership agreement forging links across our campuses in the UK, India and Dubai.
“Our universities have a shared purpose, values and aspirations, as well as synergies in the disciplines and programmes offered, overseas growth ambitions with an emphasis on inclusion, innovation and transformation. This strategic partnership will create new opportunities for both of our institutions.
“This also represents an important milestone in achieving our 2030 strategic objective to extend the reach, scale and reputation of Aston University, diversifying our academic portfolio and growing our student communities through international partnerships.”
Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), said:
“Symbiosis International is one of the highly ranked universities in India. Ranked as second in India by QS World Ranking and 641 in the QS World University Rankings, Symbiosis and Aston have been in collaboration for some years now with a shared vision.
“The collaboration extends beyond student and faculty exchange programmes to the creation of dual and joint degree programmes and joint research that will impact the community positively.
“We look forward this strong collaboration with Aston University and to extend this beyond the shores of India, with our SIU campus in Dubai as well.”
ENDS Notes to Editors Photo, L to R: Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Dr Vidya Yeravdekar and Professor Aleks Subic About Aston University For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: [email protected].
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