NLSIU Signs MoU with Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) 

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) to promote international best practices in the field of arbitration through curriculum development, lectures, workshops and internships.

The MoU was signed by Ms Gloria Lim, Chief Executive Officer of SIAC, and Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor, NLSIU in a virtual ceremony. The signing was attended by Ms. Shwetha Bidhuri, Director & Head, South Asia, SIAC, Ms. Steffi Mary Punnose, Strategy & Development Manager (South Asia), SIAC, Prof. (Dr.) Nigam Nuggehalli, Registrar, NLSIU and Dr. Harisankar K. Sathyapalan, Associate Professor of Law & Chair Professor-in-Charge of the DC Singhania Chair on ADR at NLSIU.

NLSIU has pioneered teaching and research in the field of international arbitration for over three decades. We’ve also redoubled our efforts in recent years by recruiting new faculty in this domain. Besides the core and elective courses regularly offered in our academic programmes, we organised workshops on ‘Conflict Competence and Collaborative Problem Solving’, and ‘Advocacy in Mediation’ during 2023. These workshops were organised in collaboration with CAMP Arbitration & Mediation Practice Private Limited, and the Foundation for Sustainable Rule of Law Initiatives. Further, NLSIU will offer a new elective course on Mediation in collaboration with UC Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) in the March 2024 term. 

Since 2012, NLSIU and SIAC have partnered to organize an Annual International Arbitration Moot and Conference. The MoU between NLSIU and the SIAC will elevate this partnership by:  

• developing a new module on “SIAC and Institutional Arbitration” to be integrated into the existing curriculum;
• developing joint academic initiatives including annual lectures, seminars and joint training programmes that promote the development and practice of international arbitration; and
• facilitate internships for NLS students at the SIAC.

NLSIU Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Dr) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, said: “The SIAC has anchored the development of Singapore as a key centre for the law and practice of international arbitration. As India aims to establish itself as a hub of international arbitration, NLSIU will take the lead in developing the academic and training programmes necessary for India’s success in this endeavour. This collaboration with the SIAC will help us bring international best standards and best practices to the Indian legal environment, jointly promote the development of international commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, and foster an international perspective in the next generation of arbitration practitioners.”

Ms. Gloria Lim, CEO of SIAC, said, “SIAC is pleased to be collaborating with NLSIU to provide internship opportunities to law students and to jointly develop programmes that will provide useful exposure to the practice of international arbitration. We believe that such efforts serve to support the development and nurture of the next generation of arbitration practitioners, and look forward to partnering with NLSIU on this initiative.” 

For more information on this partnership, please write to