Kshitij Naikade selected for distinguished Ph.D. fellowship 

Symbiosis Law School, Pune, a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) is elated to share that Mr. Kshitij Naikade, Assistant Professor, SLS Pune, has been selected for the distinguished Ph.D. fellowship under the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) A New Passage to India to undertake research at Berlin School of Economics and Law for a period of six months.

Prof. Kshitij Naikade holds Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wilson College, University of Mumbai and a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from Saviribai Phule Pune University, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D at Symbiosis International Deemed University. Prof. Naikade, despite being in his early 30's epitomizes through his journey, a success story as he has excelled both in the professional and academic field. He has served as a Deputy Director (Administration) and currently oversees student care. Besides being an outstanding teacher and researcher, he is an avid reader, trekker and badminton player

 The DAAD Programme serves a crucial role in fostering greater Indo-German academic partnerships and promotes scholarly exchange programmes at all academic levels. The Indo-German Partnerships in Higher Education Cooperation Programme (IGP), that Prof. Naikade will be a part of, is an initiative to promote Indo-German academic collaboration at an institutional level. The programme is jointly sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Indian Ministry of Education which are administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Indian University Grants Commission (UGC), respectively.

During his stay in Berlin Prof. Kshitij  Naikade will continue research on his doctoral thesis. He will be hosted at the Department of Business and Economics and his tutor will be Prof. Dr. Clemens Arzt.

Prof. Kshitij’s Ph.D. Topic is “The Politics of Microfinance in India, with Special Reference to the State of Maharashtra’. The problem of wealth concentration directly threatens human existence and microfinance is key in solving the long- standing systemic problem of income inequality. The purpose of his study is to strengthen the shortcomings in the existing micro finance institutions in India, based on the successful Grameen Bank Model in Bangladesh.
 
As a part of this DAAD Passage to India Scholarship, he would strive to comply with their core objectives of strengthening mutual awareness about the research fields from India and expanding Indo German collaborations in diverse areas of research as well as engage in conducting seminars, lectures and workshops. This opportunity will help him build on his research skills with international standards and generate publication.  The ideas which he wishes to pursue and develop are universal and sustainable. They have implications for gender and economic justice in a globalizing world.  Hence, this opportunity will help him interact with diverse spectrum of academicians and practitioners to further develop his thesis and into an implementable model.

Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and SLS Pune congratulates Prof. Kshitij Naikade for his distinguished achievement and convey best wishes to him for his academic endeavours. This exemplary achievement acts as an inspiration to all students and faculty members of the institution and is also in tandem with the internationalisation efforts taken up by Symbiosis International (Deemed University).