5 reasons why Symbiosis Medical College for Women is the perfect example of women empowerment in India

It is one thing to pledge to work towards women empowerment and quite another to take steps towards it. SIU Pune - Symbiosis International (Deemed University) has always been a torchbearer for the growth of education and yet again, in a significant move, they have launched Symbiosis Medical College for Women which will train women and equip them with an MBBS degree.

India’s first lady doctor, Dr Anandibai Joshi’s biography planted the seed in Professor Dr SB Mujumdar’s mind, who is the Founder and Chancellor of the Symbiosis International (Deemed University). Seeing this film, Professor Majumdar decided to create a special medical college for women which will offer the best facilities and train some of the brightest minds of the country. That is how the idea behind Symbiosis Medical College for Women was born.

There are many reasons why this college sets itself apart from the crowd. As one of the very few medical colleges for women, SMCW ensures it maintains excellence in every single sphere. Here are the top five:

1. Infrastructure

The college is located in Lavale in the lap of nature in Pune. The campus has high-class facilities both for academics and extra-curricular activities. With a library that is stocked with national, international as well as journals from experts around the world, any student who is looking to grow and develop personally and professionally as a doctor will find herself surrounded by learning.

2. Practical Learning

Symbiosis Medical College for Women is also attached to Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC), located on the same campus. This was done specifically to aid practical learning for all the students. While the classroom provides a multitude of learning opportunities, it is necessary to practice it as a doctor in order to be prepared for the real world. Studying at SMCW is the perfect way to have a holistic approach to being a doctor because they understand the needs of hospitals and work towards fulfilling them.

From outpatient facilities, operation theatres, Intensive care units and a state-of-the-art radiology department, medical students can practise across departments and understand the overall working and functionality of a hospital.

3. Free Education for five students

One of the most stand-out qualities of SMCW is that they provide free education to the top 5 women who have the highest score in NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). This allows those women who are talented but lack the funds to study at a prestigious university, to work hard and secure their seat.

4. Level Playfield

Getting into a medical college can involve a lot of foul play. Children of influential families can use their clout to secure their seats irrespective of their academic capabilities. Symbiosis has worked towards eliminating this as well by making NEET as their sole selection criteria. All 150 students are selected through counseling conducted and overseen by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)/ Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at SMCW/ SIU. This makes for a level playfield and allows aspirants to put their best foot forward towards securing admission.

5. Faculty and Fee

One of the most important factors in any college is the faculty and teaching staff. With the right kind of professors, students can expect to learn, grow and equip themselves for the medical industry. At SMCW, they believe in associating only with the best. From highly experienced senior staff, the girls learn to be compassionate, professional, ethical and empathetic.

While they provide the best of education, Symbiosis understands that becoming a doctor can be a long-drawn and expensive affair. Keeping this in mind, the fee structure is significantly different from all other colleges in the country. Students pay approximately only INR 12,00,000 per annum.

As an aspiring doctor, it is always a challenge to choose the right college to pursue this noble profession. A lot of questions are to be answered by the students themselves such as will it have the right kind of faculty, will the fee be too high, how will we practise what we learn, what if the entrance test system is skewed?

These are common questions everyone faces and Symbiosis Medical College for Women addresses each of them and more. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to be for medical students and promises to grow exponentially in the coming years.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha