In a significant step towards fostering international academic collaboration, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) [SIU] and the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law [UNH Franklin Pierce] signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, August 9. This partnership aims to enhance academic and research collaboration between the two prestigious institutions.
The MOU signing ceremony was attended by distinguished representatives from both universities. From SIU, Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Fulbright Scholar Director and Dean Faculty of Law, and Jean Monnet Chair Professor, were present. UNH Franklin Pierce was represented by Dean Megan Carpenter, Dean and Professor of Law, and named by National Jurist as one of the Most Influential People in Legal Education, along with Ms. Sarah Dorner, Assistant Dean for Graduate Admissions and International Outreach. Attorney Richard Samdperil, who serves as an Adjunct Professor at UNH Franklin Pierce and Scholar in Residence at Symbiosis Law School, Pune, also attended. Dr. Anupama Kotur represented the Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE).
The MOU firms up the current collaboration of faculty mobility, student mobility and online lectures amongst others. It further outlines several key areas of cooperation, including academic and research collaboration in areas of mutual interest, exchange of academic information and scholarly materials. The institutions will also jointly sponsor seminars, workshops, and academic meetings, and explore collaborative programs such as pathways, dual, and joint degree programs.
A notable feature of this agreement is a progression arrangement that offers SIU law graduates the opportunity to enter master's programs at UNH Franklin Pierce with a 35% tuition scholarship for qualified students and credit transfer. This provision is expected to significantly enhance international academic opportunities for SIU students, especially those interested in studying in the specialized areas of Intellectual Property, Commerce and Technology, and International Criminal Law and Justice
This partnership brings together two institutions with complementary strengths. SIU with top ranked SLS Pune as IP Cell Advisor is known for its multi-disciplinary approach and innovative ethos, while UNH Franklin Pierce is renowned for its top-ranked US School of Global Innovation and Intellectual Property Law. It has linkages with NASA, Microsoft, John Hopkins amongst others. The collaboration promises to open new avenues for students and faculty alike, fostering cross-cultural learning and academic excellence in the field of law.
Set to run for five years with the possibility of renewal, this MOU marks a long-term commitment to international academic cooperation. It is expected to yield significant benefits for both institutions, enhancing their global presence and offering students and faculty expanded opportunities for growth and development.
Dean Megan Carpenter's Opening Remarks
"Good afternoon, distinguished colleagues, honored guests, faculty, students, and friends,
It is with immense pride and genuine excitement that I stand before you today to mark this significant milestone—the formalization of a collaborative partnership between the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law and Symbiosis Law School, Pune. Today, we embark on a journey that will undoubtedly enrich our institutions, our students, and the global legal community.
Our partnership was first conceived when I visited Symbiosis Pune in 2019. I met with Dean Shashikala Gurpur and after formalities we had a conversation that ranged far and wide, about our theories of education, about the history of India, about the connection to intellectual property and technology to many of the grand challenges we face as a society today. Prof Dr and Dean Shashi Gurpur, Director Sujata Arya, deputy director Mohanty and so many others have been collaborative over the last five years, and I want to express my gratitude to them.
At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared vision and a commitment to excellence that both our law schools hold dear. Though we are geographically separated by thousands of miles, our institutions are united by a common mission: to cultivate the next generation of legal professionals who are not only well-versed in the law but also deeply committed to upholding justice, equity, and the rule of law.
UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, known for its pioneering programs in intellectual property and innovation, and Symbiosis Law School, with its rich tradition of producing legal professionals who excel on the global stage, both recognize the importance of a legal education that transcends borders. We understand that the challenges our societies face—whether in the realm of technology, human rights, or environmental sustainability—are global in nature and require global solutions.
This partnership, therefore, is not just an agreement on paper; it is a testament to our belief in the power of collaboration. Through joint programs, student scholarships, and faculty exchanges, we will create opportunities for our students and faculty to learn from one another, to engage with diverse perspectives, and to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to address the grand challenges of our time.
In fact, we are already seeing the fruit of this partnership – our UNH Franklin Pierce professor, Richard Samdperil, is in Pune right now teaching Symbiosis students!"
