Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce Focuses on Art and Environment

There are many striking things about Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, affiliated to the University of Pune. Evident in the curriculum is the focus on art and the environment. A module on environmental awareness is offered across disciplines, including commerce.

Parallel to their study programmes, students can pursue a three-year diploma in liberal arts in an attempt to add something beyond the usual academic essentials in their knowledge.

"All our teachers are excellent and experts in their fields," says Hrishikesh Soman, principal. Most have PhD or MPhil degrees.

The college counts among its alumni some big names in the corporate world in India and abroad, in Marathi movies and TV serials as well as among classical singers. "Many have become vice presidents in a short span of time," he says.

The college also encourage sports. Students get an opportunity to evolve and develop their personalities in the true sense," says Soman.

Most students aspire to go for postgraduate or professional courses like chartered accountancy, cost and works accountancy and company secretary. "Therefore, placement is offered only to those who are interested in work experience and then pursuing their masters'," says Soman.

USP: It's cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet with room to continue traditions.

Soman says, "Our college offers a unique learning experience and following are some unique features:

• Multilingual and multicultural campus as there are students coming from almost all states of India and nearly 37 Afro-Asian countries
• Co-curricular and extracurricular activities are organised very regularly, three to four activities per week
• The Centre for Liberal Arts offers a first-of-its-kind diploma in liberal arts with a choice of 42 innovative courses and can be pursued along with BCom or BA
• On offer are student exchange programmes for summer school and cultural exchanges
• Good amount of exposure through industrial visits, guest lectures, projects and practical classes.

Programmes: BA with six papers every year at the general level. Special papers are economics / English / psychology from the second year onwards.

In BCom, there are four specialisations - banking, business administration, costing and marketing. The MCom programme has two - business administration and advanced accounting.

The college also runs a three-year BSc programme in computer science.

In addition to these, the college has value-added courses: a foundation course in accountancy for non-commerce students who join the BCom programme; a certificate in quantitative technique, and a certificate in mathematical and quantitative techniques for students specialising in banking and finance. It has a junior college, too, equivalent to Class 11 and Class 12.

IT quotient: The two-acre college campus is Wi-Fi-enabled and has a digital library.

Infrastructure: The college boasts a computer lab equipped with LAN settings.

Clubs and societies: Arts Circle hosts Indian cultural events and competitions. The Centre for Human Excellence organises discussions on social issues, movie screenings, seminars and outbound activities. Elecom is for e-minded folk who wish to take part in software projects etc.

Wish List

"(It is high time that) the college should shift to bigger premises and become a deemed-to-be-university. Also, there's no interface between the college and alumni, whether it's for knowledge-sharing or other activities," says Mumbai-based alumnus Avinash Bachate

Factfile

Started in 1983, the college is under the management of Symbiosis Society and is affiliated to the University of Pune, a state university. The college now wants to become autonomous. "Three years ago, we applied to the University of Pune for autonomy," says Hrishikesh Soman, principal

Notice Board

Admission Notice

Eligibility: The admission process is online and begins only after the declaration of the Class 12 result of the Maharashtra board.

For the exact date, refer to http://symbiosiscollege.edu.in

Taaza Khabar

The college, which has an IGNOU study centre, was chosen by Indira Gandhi National Open University for its convergence scheme. "We wish to start dual degrees in association with IGNOU, for which we have applied to the University of Pune. I hope this starts in the coming academic year," says Hrishikesh Soman, principal. The college also proposes to start PG courses in English and economics, a full-fledged liberal arts course at the bachelor's level, and a research centre as well as strengthen international initiatives - students and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, and integrated PG programmes

Time Pass

Other than the college's food court, the popular hangouts for students are Vaishali Restaurant, Udupi Restaurant, Mocha restaurant, Barista, and Café Coffee Day. On the campus, there's also ‘Awning on the terrace', called so because it is, well, under an awning. Part lounge and part reading room, Awning is also used for meetings in the evening

College Ke Baad

I was in one of the initial batches in the pre-liberalised era. In our class, we had students from Africa and the Middle East. About 20 years ago, our college focused on the global language, global exposure and global initiatives, which have become common now.

 

Source: HT Horizons

Date: 3rd March, 2011

---

For further details about related courses and colleges please click below:

Related courses and colleges