Symbiosis center of distance learning, SCDL Review

Symbiosis center of distance learning (or SCDL) is an online e-learning/MBA program of the Symbiosis Institute, Pune. There are 11 Symbiosis Institutes which are clubbed together under the Symbiosis Society, although they almost run separate from each other. Their main campus in Pune and new satellite campuses in Nasik, Chennai, Bangalore and few other cities.

SCDL - The online MBA arm of Symbiosis Society:
The most popular courses of SCDL are in Marketing Human resource management, Finance, Customer Relationship Management , International Business and Operations. In most courses the students are evaluated on the basis of Online Assignments, Online Examinations and Project Report. Symbiosis is a Greek term meaning 'Living together for mutual benefit'. It was established in 1971 under by Dr. S. B. Mujumdar. His name among the Padma Shri honors. Prospectus and Application Form are available at the SCDL office and select AXIS Bank branchesand the fee is non-refundable.

MY EXPERIENCE:
Following are the experiences and thoughts of the author who did his PGDBA in Marketing from SCDL. The author is not associated with any Symbiosys employee or the management.

The good things about SCDL are you can complete your MBA as a online/part time course even when you are working. The institute provides books and/or e-books which are quite helpful for the exams. This program cannot be thought as an easy approach to add a "Post Graduate" title to your qualifications as there is some serious study involved.

HOW MUCH EFFORT AND TIME DOES IT REQUIRE:
Some students complain lack of personal attention and difficulty in getting through their busy phone lines. My experience with them was relatively better, although once I also had an issue with one of their newly hired representative. To resolve that issue I had to email the head of student care and only then it was taken care.

I completed my MBA/PGDBA diploma in Marketing in year 2006. It took me 2 years and on an average had to put about 6-8 hours per week for studies.

SCDL RECOGNITION:
Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning (SCDL) is part of the Symbiosis Group of educational institutions which is a Deemed University as declared by the Distance Education Council (DEC). , "possibly" by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and "possibly" by University Grants Commission (UGC) (www.ugc.ac.in). In year 2007 Government of India had banned several institutes (falling under Govt. umbrella) from issuing online MBA degrees/diploma but since SCDL is a deemed university, it was virtually not impacted by the rule.

Symbiosis Pune not only has recognition but also have the support of the corporate world. The year I graduated, several IT/Software companies had partnership with then and paid a part of the tuition fees. Symbiosis Institutions are known in India & abroad for excellence in education attracting thousands of students from India and abroad every year. Symbiosis also has corporate learning programs with various companies listed on their website.

COMPARISION BETWEEN ONLINE MBA AND TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM MBA:
Even though I think that doing a full time campus MBA will have better learning and recognition benefits, but people who have already started working and wish to study at the same time, online/e-learning is the fastest growing trend and being recognized more and more with time.

Advantages of online MBA are:
- It is a low cost program than most classroom style MBA programs.
- Your company will probably pay a part of the tuition fees.
- Time Flexibility: A chance to do MBA for people who would have not been able to do otherwise - like working professionals and stay at home moms.
- An MBA degree surely clears some hurdles needed to move up the corporate ladder.
- More and more corporations in India are now accepting / recognizing these courses. These courses are much widely recognized in the western countries like USA, Canada and UK.

DISADVANTAGE (that I feel):
Unlike most of the online MBA programs conducted abroad, there is no direct student-teacher interaction. It also does not require to undergo any formal practical trainning in your field of study.

Other popular options for online MBA in India include Amity, Ignou and IMT Ghaziabad.

Official site: http://www.scdl.net/

Ms. Swati Mujumdar Director, SCDL
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL)
Symbiosis Bhavan, 1065 B, Gokhale Cross Road,
Model Colony, Pune-411016,
Maharashtra,
Phone Nos. - (020) 66211000 (Hunting lines)
Fax No.:(020) 66211040, 66211041
SCDL is housed in 50,000 sq.ft campus well-equipped with modern technology services.

Banglore
Symbiosis Campus, Sr. No. 94,95,
Electronic City Ph - I, Hosur Road,
Banglore-560100
Phone: 080-66389908
Fax: 080-66389997

Nashik
SCDL
C/o SIOM, SERVE No A-23,
Shravan Sector,
Behind Taj Residency,
Nashik-8
LL + Fax No: 0253-2392689

Also read the Frequently asked questions located at: http://www.scdl.net/indianfaq.asp (Indian Students)
http://www.scdl.net/internationalfaq.asp (International Students)

I GOT THE FOLLOWING EMAIL FROM SCDL ON June 24, 2009 : Regarding :"Single Courses"




			SCDL introduces Single Courses this year

			Dear Student

			Greetings and Good Wishes!

			We are very pleased to inform you that Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning; Pune has introduced six months Courses .So far SCDL has been offering two-year, one-year and six-month programs of study, each program covering a number of courses. However, many students have approached SCDL with a request to allow them to register for only one or two courses, as they have neither time nor inclination to do the full programs. Moreover their immediate requirement is for a special subject-knowledge helpful in their present employment or future prospects. Taking these factors into consideration, SCDL has decided to offer course-wise registration to some of the specific courses (listed below)
			Students seeking enrollment to any of the ‘single courses’ may not be allowed to do so in the event that the desired ‘single course’ is already a part of the curriculum of another program for which the student has already enrolled.
			No student can enroll for more than two single courses from amongst the list of courses given below:

			Business Communication                        Human Resource Management
			Management Accounting                         Financial Management
			Marketing Management                          Total Quality Management
			Management Information Systems         Business Law


			Each student completing the single course will be awarded a Certificate of passing. However, it will not be considered for admission to any other Post Graduate program of SCDL. No credit points accumulated from single courses will be allowed to be transferred to any other program of SCDL.

			Registration fees must be paid along with the form, failing which the form will not be processed.
			Civilian /Regular- Rs.1000/-
			NRI/International Students -US $35

			Course Fees:
			Civilian/Regular-Rs.2000/- per course
			NRI/International Students-US $150 per course
			Defence-Rs. 2,000/- per course
			(Exam fees are not included in the Course fees)

			The Course starts from July 2009 and the process of admission has already started.  Last date for admissions is 18th July 2009.For further inquiries please mail us at newadmissions@scdl.net or call us on 020-66211000-20.Prospectus is available at select Axis Bank branches, nationwide. Visit our website www.scdl.net for more details.


			Warm Regards,

			Head Enrollment - SCDL


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