SCHERPA serves as a multidisciplinary research hub and a Policy Observatory dedicated to higher education in India through diverse lenses. Scholars from various fields collaborate on a wide range of topics, including the internationalization of higher education, economics and financing of higher education, sociology, philosophy, politics and the management of higher education in India. The Centre maintains a strong emphasis on policy studies, aiming to influence and inform policymaking in the sector.

Symbiosis International (Deemed University) has been actively engaged in research and policy advocacy within the Indian higher education space for decades. Since its inception, the University has particularly emphasized on Internationalisation of Higher Education (IHE), establishing itself as a pioneer in this domain.

Reaffirming its commitment to advancing internationalisation, SIU launched the Symbiosis Centre for Research in International Higher Education (SCRIHE) in 2022. The Centre was envisioned as a platform to enhance research capabilities related to IHE. In October 2024, its mandate was broadened to encompass all aspects of higher education research, leading to its renaming as the Symbiosis Centre for Higher Education Research and Policy Advocacy (SCHERPA).

SCHERPA aspires to evolve into a leading policy observatory in education by undertaking primary research as well as synthesizing research that is carried out in different parts of the country. It fosters policy dialogues that facilitate evidence-based policymaking with regular stakeholder consultations.

SCHERPA benefits from the strategic guidance of its esteemed Board of Advisors, comprising eminent scholars in the field of education. The Board provides insights to align the Centre’s research priorities with both national and global developments, ensuring its work remains relevant and impactful.