In the Image (L to R): Ms. Priya Pansare, Senior Director, Trade, Investment & International Relations, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai; Shri Amit Sharma, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai; Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries; Dr. Daphne Pillai, Executive President, Pillai University; during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and Pillai University at the “Gateway to Global Trade 2026” event.
MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and Pillai University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during “Gateway to Global Trade 2026: Opening Doors to India’s Global Trade Ecosystem and International Careers,” organised at World Trade Center Mumbai to mark the launch of Pillai University’s BBA in International Business programme.
Under the collaboration, World Trade Center Mumbai will serve as an Experiential Learning Partner, with the objective of strengthening industry-academia engagement and bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry practice. Students will receive practical exposure through expert interactions, internships, industry visits, workshops, research initiatives, trade forums, networking opportunities and international trade promotion activities.
Shri Amit Sharma, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai, said, “For ambitious young professionals and entrepreneurs, international trade opens significant opportunities and global exposure. Students entering this field should understand how India’s trade ecosystem functions, including the respective roles of DGFT, Customs and RBI. Today, the government increasingly acts as an enabler by facilitating trade, digitising processes, building capacity and helping businesses become globally competitive and encouraged students to explore platforms such as Trade Connect and the DGFT portal, engage with the trade ecosystem and consider exports as an avenue for entrepreneurship and professional growth.”
Dr. Daphne Pillai, Executive President, Pillai University, said, “The BBA in International Business is designed to prepare our students not merely for their first job, but for a world of opportunities. International business is not only about doing business across countries; it is about understanding people, cultures, markets and opportunities across borders. Our partnership with World Trade Center Mumbai will enable students to step beyond the classroom and experience the real trade ecosystem through internships, workshops, industry interactions, trade forums and networking opportunities. You are entering a field where the world is your marketplace, and your education should prepare you to participate in it with confidence and make a difference.”
Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said, “India today stands at an important stage of its economic journey, with the economy exceeding US$ 4 trillion in nominal GDP and continuing to remain among the world’s fastest-growing major economies. India’s medium-term growth potential is estimated at around 7%, reflecting the strength and resilience of the economy. As we move towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, our young generation will have an increasingly important role in driving entrepreneurship, exports, innovation and global business. We have a large country, a strong domestic market and tremendous opportunities ahead, but our students must also understand how India can compete and succeed internationally.”
“Industry-academia collaboration is essential to help students understand how business and industry function beyond the classroom. Practical exposure to exports, logistics, regulations and entrepreneurship can prepare them for real-world opportunities,” while urging young people to remain focused, sincere and committed to integrity, and to work not only for their own success but also for the progress of the country and society.
Ms. Priya Pansare, Senior Director, Trade, Investment & International Relations, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai, said, “Today’s programme is more than the launch of a new academic course. It represents a partnership between academia and industry with a shared objective of preparing young professionals with practical knowledge, global exposure and industry-relevant skills. With India recording its highest-ever exports of US$ 863.1 billion in FY 2025–26, opportunities in international business, trade, logistics and global supply chains are expanding rapidly. Through our collaboration with Pillai University, we aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice and nurture future exporters, entrepreneurs, global business professionals and trade leaders.”
The programme brought together students, academicians, government representatives and trade experts, providing participants with insights into India’s foreign trade ecosystem, export-import opportunities, international business practices and emerging career pathways. The signing of the MoU marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and Pillai University, combining academic learning with practical industry exposure and aiming to develop globally oriented professionals equipped to contribute effectively to India’s expanding international trade ecosystem.
