SRM School of Law Signs Six MoUs for experiential learning

The School of Law, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, has signed six strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading national organisations working at the intersection of legal education, justice delivery, public service, research, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

The agreements were signed by Prof (Dr) YRS Murthy, Pro Vice-Chancellor, during the International Conference on Global Criminology and Victimology.

As per a press release, the collaborations are designed to create meaningful opportunities for students and faculty members through experiential learning, interdisciplinary research, legal aid initiatives, internships, faculty development programmes, policy engagement, professional training, and industry collaboration.

Among the most significant partnerships is the MoU with Safai Karamchari Andolan (SKA), the national movement founded by Bezwada Wilson, Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient and one of India's foremost human rights advocates. The collaboration, the release says, will promote academic engagement on issues relating to constitutional rights, social justice, human dignity, and public policy, enabling students to engage directly with grassroots legal and human rights initiatives.

The School has also entered into strategic collaborations with three nationally recognised organisations led by Dr Kalpesh Kumar Gupta—Pro Bono India (PBI), Law Teachers India (LTI), and Legal Startup India (LSI)—each contributing distinct strength to the legal education ecosystem.

Through Pro Bono India, students will gain exposure to community legal services, legal literacy programmes, research initiatives, internships, certificate courses, socio-legal projects, and collaborative outreach activities that strengthen access to justice.

The partnership with Law Teachers India aims to enhance academic excellence by facilitating faculty development programmes, legal pedagogy initiatives, research collaborations, scholarly publications, capacity-building workshops, and nationwide academic networking among legal educators.

The collaboration with Legal Startup India will introduce students to the growing intersection of law, entrepreneurship, compliance, and business advisory services, offering valuable industry exposure in areas such as startup advisory, intellectual property, taxation, regulatory compliance, legal documentation, and corporate services.

Further engaging with emerging areas of justice education, the School has signed an MoU with ThinkJustice Foundation (TJF), a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research and evidence-based justice reforms. The partnership will foster collaboration across criminology, victimology, criminal justice, forensic sciences, psychology, social work, and allied disciplines through research projects, professional development programmes, policy dialogue, and academic exchange.

SRM School of Law also signed a MoU with Women Entrepreneurs India to expose female law students to entrepreneurship and related skills.

Collectively, these partnerships aim to enhance experiential learning opportunities, expand professional networks, encourage interdisciplinary scholarship, and equip students with the practical skills required to navigate an increasingly dynamic legal landscape.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof (Dr) YSR Murthy said,

"Legal education today must extend far beyond the classroom. These collaborations reflect our commitment to creating an ecosystem where academic excellence is complemented by professional exposure, social responsibility, research, innovation, and meaningful engagement with institutions shaping the future of law and justice. Through these partnerships, our students and faculty will gain opportunities to contribute to society while developing the competencies required of future legal professionals."

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