Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), Pune, has officially welcomed its 34th MBA Batch for the academic years 2026-2028. The occasion was marked by an inspiring Inaugural Ceremony that signaled the beginning of a transformative academic and professional journey for the incoming students.
Distinguished Guests Grace the Ceremony
The ceremony was graced by several notable personalities. The Chief Guest was Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman of Pinnacle Industries and EKA Mobility. Other dignitaries included Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director and Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International (Deemed University); Maj Gen (Dr.) Rohit Bakshi, Director of SIMS Pune; and Dr. Pravin Kumar Bhoyar, Deputy Director of SIMS Pune.
Address by Maj Gen (Dr.) Rohit Bakshi
Welcoming the new batch, Maj Gen (Dr.) Rohit Bakshi congratulated the students on becoming part of the SIMS family. He encouraged them to embrace both opportunities and challenges. He highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern life and learning, urging students to use AI as a tool to enhance human potential rather than replace it. He emphasized the importance of nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and originality, stating that true leadership is built on innovation, sound judgment, and independent thinking.
Insights from Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar encouraged students to lead with empathy, adaptability, and compassion—qualities synonymous with SIMS graduates in the corporate world. She shared reflections from her own student days, recounting experiences at medical college and how overcoming initial apprehensions shaped her determination and resilience. She urged students to view challenges as opportunities for growth and personal development. Dr. Yeravdekar also felicitated the Chief Guest, Dr. Sudhir Mehta.
Chief Guest Dr. Sudhir Mehta's Entrepreneurial Insights
In his address, Dr. Sudhir Mehta shared valuable insights from his entrepreneurial journey. He inspired students to adopt a lifelong learning mindset, emphasizing that one does not always need to be the smartest person in the room; success often comes from learning from the smartest people around them. He encouraged students to actively involve themselves in meaningful initiatives and strive to create value for others, highlighting that such contributions bring a deeper sense of satisfaction, purpose, and fulfillment.
Vote of Thanks and Closing Remarks
The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Pravin Kumar Bhoyar, Deputy Director of SIMS Pune. He expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests for their insightful addresses. He reminded students that success is not achieved overnight but is the result of consistency, perseverance, and sustained effort over time.
The inaugural ceremony set an inspiring tone for the academic year ahead, warmly welcoming the MBA Batch of 2026-2028 into the SIMS family. It reinforced the institute's commitment to nurturing future leaders who are innovative, empathetic, and prepared to make a meaningful impact in the world.
