Vinayaka Mission’s Law School (VMLS)
Dr. A. Shanmugasundaram, a Philanthropist and Educationist, established the Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar Thavathiru Sundara Swamigal Medical Educational & Charitable Trust in 1981. It is a registered, self-supported Trust based in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Vinayaka Mission’s Law School (VMLS) formerly known as Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Law (AVIL) has been established by VMRF in 2021. VMLS is the latest initiative of VMRF-DU at its Chennai campus to impart legal education and legal skills relevant to the evolving needs of the local, national and global community. VMLS has been established with the combined efforts of eminent members of the bar, bench, and legal academia. VMLS diligently aims to adopt innovative and inclusive methods to improve the quality of legal education, making it a vibrant academic community. The Institution focuses on intellectual and the personal development of students by creating real-world learning experiences, encouraging new ideas, designing pedagogical strategies and integrating technology.
VMLS intends to achieve this vision through its Highly qualified and Experienced faculty. Our faculty aims to create a progressive learning environment where they teach Law courses prescribed by the Bar Council of India, as well as Elective Courses to address legal issues of a dynamic society and an ever-changing world. The Faculty regularly conducts Moot Court competitions to improve students’ Analytical, Research, Oratory Skills and Logical and Reasoning Skills to enable Professional success.
At VMLS , there are four Centres of Excellence.
The Centre for Global Tamil Law: This pioneering Centre aims to foster innovative programs and cultivate specialised advocacy and research skills in Tamil language, with the goal of providing practical experience and training for legal practice in all Courts including the District Courts and below in Tamil Nadu. The Centre also seeks to promote access to justice at the grassroots level. To achieve these objectives, the Centre will offer learning aids and materials in Tamil to supplement classroom instruction (which is in English). This initiative will benefit students who wish to enhance their legal education in English with additional learning resources in Tamil. The Centre will establish a Tamil Law library with a collection of books and judgements in Tamil. The Centre for Global Tamil Law will enter into a tie-up with Tamil Associations and diaspora across the world.
The Centre for Justice Through Technology strives to be an incubator and ideator of Social Justice Innovation. The Centre focuses on developing more effective tools, products, processes, services, technologies, and ideas for delivering justice, empowering common citizens to achieve their full potential.
The Centre for Promotion of International Law is dedicated to promoting excellence in research and teaching of International Law, a field that has gained unprecedented significance in today’s world. Additionally, the Centre operates an E-Journal, which features original work focusing on contemporary issues in International Law.
The Centre for Maritime Law is dedicated to promoting the study, debate, discussion, and research in admiralty and maritime law. The Centre recognizes that matters pertaining to the jurisdiction of courts and procedural and substantive law of admiralty and maritime matters in India are yet to develop in line with international trends. Therefore, the Centre’s research efforts focus on bridging this gap and contributing to the development of this field in India. The Centre assumes tremendous significance considering that in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai there are many major ports and the Madras High Court is vested with Admiralty Jurisdiction.
At VMLS we see each of our students as success stories. To ensure this achievement VMLS has entered into Mentorship Collaborations with National and International Universities so that its students are well-prepared to face the cut-throat competition at both local and global situtations..
O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat
VMLS is being mentored by O.P Jindal Global University (OPJGU), an Institution of Eminence and Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) Currently ranked as India’s No.1 Law School, under an Institutional Mentorship Agreement. A Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) is set up by VMRF and O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU an institute of eminence, which consists of legal experts, well-experienced practitioners and academicians with an interest, background, and commitment to the cause of quality legal education and legal skill development. The Members of the JIC bring practical insights and provide advice towards the development of VMLS Administration.
Seattle University in Washington, U.S.
On December 7, 2022, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation, deemed to be University and Seattle University in Washington, U.S., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim of promoting cultural, educational, and scientific collaborations between the two institutions. The MOU includes provisions for joint research activities, publications, and library exchanges, as well as programs for study or service. It also allows for the exchange of faculty members and students for study, teaching, and research, and invites scholars to participate in conferences, lectures, and seminars.
The MOU was signed by Professor Eduardo Peñalver, President of Seattle University, and Dr. P.K. Sudhir, Vice-Chancellor of Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation, in the presence of Dr. A.S. Ganesan, Chancellor, Dr. Anuradha Ganesan, Director, Mr. Suresh Samuel, Member, Board of Management, and Dr. J. Sabarinathan, Director of Academics. Other participants in the event included Prof. Dr. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (OPJGU), and Dr. A. Francis Julian, Chairperson of the Strategic Advisory Committee of Vinayaka Mission’s Law School (VMLS).
Representatives from Seattle University who also participated in the event included Professor Anthony E. Verona, Dean of the School of Law, Professor Dr. Amit Shukla, Dean of the Howard Wright Chair in the College of Science & Engineering, Professor Dr. Joseph M. Phillips, Dean of the Albers School of Business & Economics, and Professor Dr. Madhu T. Rao, Associate Dean of Albers School of Business & Economics.
Intending to impart quality education, VMLS has developed a state-of-the-art campus for the comfort of students. The School of Law is located in an ultra-modern building in a scenic campus just off the East Coast Road on the outskirts of Chennai. The School has air-conditioned smart classrooms and a modern and digitised library. The entire school is Wi-Fi enabled.