Dhirubhai Ambani Law School Partners with International Law Institute, Washington, DC

In a significant move to enhance global legal education, the School of Law at Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA-IICT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Law Institute (ILI), Washington DC, one of the world’s leading legal training and rule of law institutions.

The MoU, signed this week, marks the beginning of a strategic academic partnership aimed at fostering international cooperation, legal research, and cross-border education.

Scope of the Partnership

The collaboration between the DA-IICT School of Law and ILI Washington, DC, will span multiple areas of academic and professional development. Key highlights of the agreement include:

• Student exchange programs

• Faculty mobility and joint teaching

• Collaborative legal research projects

• Capacity-building workshops and executive training

• Internships and legal immersion programs in India and the United States

According to the institutions, the objective is to create a transnational platform for the exchange of ideas in public international law, comparative law, legal technology, and rule of law development.

Statements from the Signatories

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Dr. Anurag Agarwal, Dean of the School of Law at DA-IICT, expressed enthusiasm about the academic and global possibilities this partnership opens up.

“This MoU reflects our commitment to providing our students with world-class legal exposure and building bridges between Indian legal education and global institutions. We are proud to partner with the International Law Institute, which has trained lawyers, judges, and regulators across 180 countries.”

Representatives from the International Law Institute welcomed the partnership as a step forward in their mission to support legal systems worldwide through education and technical assistance.

“India is a growing legal power, and we look forward to deepening our engagement with law schools like DA-IICT that are investing in global legal leadership,” said Kim Phan, Executive Director of ILI.

About the Institutions

The International Law Institute, based in Washington DC, was established in 1955 and serves as an independent, non-profit institute focused on promoting good governance and the rule of law in developing economies. Its training programs attract professionals from over 180 countries and cover subjects including legislative drafting, anti-corruption law, investment arbitration, and international commercial transactions.

The School of Law at DA-IICT, launched in 2021, is a part of the renowned Dhirubhai Ambani Institute in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and is among the few technology-integrated law schools in India. With a vision to bridge the gap between law, policy, and technology, the school offers an integrated B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programs and emphasises digital governance, cyber law, and AI in law.

Implications for Indian Legal Education

The MoU reflects a broader trend of Indian law schools seeking strategic tie-ups with global institutions to internationalise their curricula and offer students a multicultural legal perspective. Legal education in India is evolving rapidly, with the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) encouraging cross-border cooperation and academic exchange.

According to the India Skills Report 2024, employers in the legal sector are increasingly prioritising international exposure, cross-border transaction familiarity, and tech-savvy legal professionals.

This partnership also positions DA-IICT as a pioneer in integrating STEM and law education, a model seen in premier institutions like Stanford Law School and the University of Oxford’s Law and Technology Initiative.

Expert Insight

Sunil Ambalavelil, Chairman of Kaden Boriss and a globally reputed Indian legal advisor based in the UAE, welcomed the development:

• “Such partnerships are the future of legal education. They enable students to understand the international dimensions of law and help develop a global legal mindset.”

• “With legal practice becoming increasingly cross-jurisdictional, exposure to institutions like ILI will give Indian law graduates a competitive edge on the world stage.”

Looking Ahead

The MoU is expected to result in the first student and faculty exchange programs beginning in early 2026, with workshops and webinars commencing as early as the upcoming semester. Both institutions have committed to publishing joint research papers and hosting annual conferences on global legal challenges.

The agreement is not just a symbol of international cooperation; it sets a benchmark for academic diplomacy and the globalisation of Indian legal education.