Director's Message

Dr. Anita Patankar is a distinguished academic and administrator with a proven track record of leadership in higher education. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Symbiosis International University, Dubai and also holds the positions of the Director of the Symbiosis Centre for International Education.

A pioneer in the field of liberal arts education in India, Prof. Patankar is Founding Director of the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, India's first 4-year liberal arts college. She continues to serve as an Advisor to the school, guiding its growth and development. With over 39 years of experience in Indian higher education, Prof. Patankar has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of liberal arts education in the country.

Dr. Anita Patankar is passionate about internationalisation of higher education. She has been actively involved in developing innovative learning processes, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and promoting internationalization@home. Prof. Patankar is committed to creating 'fair, just and inclusive' learning ecosystems that empower students to become engaged citizens and global leaders.

Beyond her academic and administrative roles, Prof. Patankar is actively involved in various initiatives. She serves on the board of trustees of ECONET, an NGO dedicated to the welfare of tribal and disadvantaged populations. She is also a member of the Indian Members Council of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, the CII Africa Committee, and the Alliance of Asian Liberal Arts Universities. Additionally, she is a founding member of Samvedana, Symbiosis International University's gender advisory committee.