Ahmedabad : Anant National University, India’s innovative DesignX University based in Ahmedabad, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). This strategic partnership aims to drive innovation and community engagement across media and entertainment, arts and product design, health research and entrepreneurship projects. With this, Anant also becomes India’s first university to collaborate with da Vinci Center Shift Retail Lab – an initiative undertaken by Virginia Commonwealth University which reimagines entrepreneurship training among students, alumni and community founders.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by distinguished representatives from both universities. Dr. Michael Rao, President of VCU; Dr. Jill Blondin, Associate Vice Provost for Global Initiatives; and Dr. Garret Westlake, Associate Vice Provost for Innovation and Executive Director of the da Vinci Center for Innovation, were present from VCU. The event also saw the presence of Shri Amrutbhai Patel, former Gujarat State Chief Information Commissioner, alongside members of the Anant community, including faculty, administrators, and students.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anunaya Chaubey, Provost, Anant National University said, “We are very excited about this collaboration, as it is founded on the shared values, vision and purpose of the two institutions. VCU and Anant are committed to serving the community, changing lives for the better and making a global impact.”
Highlighting the significance of the collaboration Dr. Michael Rao, President of Virginia Commonwealth University, said, “Anant and VCU share similar synergy and the desire to make an impact. I am confident that this collaboration will devise solutions to problems that truly matter and do great things.”
The collaboration between Anant and VCU underscores a mutual commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and real-world learning. Both universities emphasize multidisciplinary collaboration, research, and community engagement, aiming to bridge academic and cultural gaps while generating new knowledge and global perspectives.
Aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which highlights the importance of internationalization, this collaboration aims to enhance global competitiveness and attract international students. By integrating global knowledge systems, the partnership will elevate the quality of higher education in India. Through faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and entrepreneurial initiatives, Anant and VCU will enrich teaching and learning experiences, positively impacting local communities and fostering significant academic and professional growth.
