Mumbai, December 10th 2024: NMIMS University has made history by becoming the first university in India to integrate the globally renowned Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program into its curriculum. The program was launched during a visit by Dr. Edward Coyle, Director of the VIP Consortium, to the Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering (MPSTME)
The NMIMS Mumbai campus hosted a special launch event attended by distinguished academics and administrators. Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar delivered the opening address, setting the tone for the program. Dr. Edward Coyle, a pioneer of the VIP Consortium, spoke on VIP’s potential to transform higher education. The event included the signing of an MoU, formally inducting NMIMS into the VIP Consortium. Hon. Secretary of SVKM, Dr. Jayant Gandhi, presented a token of appreciation to Dr. Coyle, emphasizing the partnership’s importance for NMIMS’s academic and research goals. Dean Dr. Koteshwararao Anne outlined the university’s VIP implementation plan.
VIP connects students from various academic levels with faculty-led research teams, moving away from traditional educational models. The VIP Consortium is known for promoting interdisciplinary education and research, preparing students for tomorrow’s cross-functional workforce and leadership roles. The program has been integrated into the engineering curriculum at all NMIMS campuses, with the goal of fostering collaborative learning and enhancing long-term teamwork and practical problem-solving across disciplines.
Addressing the dignitaries present at the launch, Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar, Pro Vice Chancellor of NMIMS University added “This launch is a landmark event for both MPSTME and NMIMS University. NMIMS focuses on four building blocks: knowledge creation, teaching excellence, stakeholder satisfaction, and enhancing the university’s perception. The Vertically Integrated Program addresses three of these, offering students across years the opportunity to engage in faculty-led research projects. This approach will keep students invested and engaged, and I’m confident MPSTME will benefit greatly from this initiative.”
“VIP transforms education into a collaborative and community-oriented experience,” said Dr. Edward Coyle. “By working with faculty and peers over several semesters, students develop meaningful relationships and gain profound learning. The program fosters a sense of belonging, addresses issues like student isolation, and equips participants with the essential skills needed for successful careers or advanced studies.”
NMIMS plans to expand the VIP program beyond engineering to include arts, sciences, and other disciplines, fostering a collaborative learning community that prepares students for the complexities of modern workplaces. Industry collaboration will play a central role, integrating real-world challenges into projects and offering students opportunities to work on practical problems through industry-sponsored scholarships.