HNLU Signs Multilateral MoU On Global University Innovation And Cooperation At AUAP–WURI Impact Summit 2026 In Bangkok
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, signed a Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Global University Innovation and Cooperation at the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) – World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) Impact Summit 2026, held at the ICONSIAM Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, on July 9 and 10, 2026.
The MoU was signed by 20 universities from South Asia, Southeast Asia and the United Arab Emirates with the objective of promoting international collaboration in higher education, innovation, research and sustainable development. The agreement establishes a framework for long-term institutional partnerships among the participating universities.
Representing HNLU, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan presented a case study on the University's Research Hub & Spoke (R-HaS) model during the Innovation Case Study session. The presentation highlighted HNLU's interdisciplinary research ecosystem, externally funded research initiatives, and its efforts to generate research with measurable societal impact.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Vivekanandan said:
"HNLU is making impactful strides in showcasing and disseminating its research initiatives through meaningful engagement with regional and global university associations. Signing this multilateral MoU is a strategic milestone in expanding our international academic partnerships. We also had productive discussions with AUAP Secretary General Prof. Dr. Anoop Swarup and Executive Secretary Dr. Supaporn Chuangchid on exploring collaborative conferences, research projects, faculty exchanges and other academic programmes in the near future."
The two-day summit was held under the theme "University Innovation in Partnership with Government: Policy, Mechanism, and Impact" and brought together university leaders, policymakers, innovators and academicians from across the world to discuss innovative institutional practices and strengthen international partnerships in higher education.
Under Article 3 of the Multilateral MoU, the participating institutions agreed to collaborate in areas including joint research and innovation projects, academic programme development, innovation case studies, conferences and workshops, faculty, researcher and student mobility, institutional policy innovation, entrepreneurship, startup collaboration, and innovation ecosystem development.
According to the University, the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) is a regional university association that promotes academic cooperation, leadership development, quality assurance and internationalisation among higher education institutions across Asia and the Pacific.
The World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) evaluates universities based on their contributions to innovation, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, industrial engagement and ethical leadership. HNLU stated that it has consistently received international recognition in the WURI Rankings for its institutional practices, particularly in the areas of visionary leadership and impactful research.
Established in 2003, Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, is one of India's National Law Universities focusing on legal education, research, innovation and public service. The University has developed its interdisciplinary research initiatives through the Research Hub & Spoke (R-HaS) model and continues to expand its international collaborations and research partnerships.