Vijaybhoomi University: Empowering Legal Minds With Interdisciplinary Learning

By Nitesh Kumar, Professor

Think about a future where lawyers don’t just argue about the cases but shape industries such as technology, finance and sustainability, bridge cultures and the future challenges. India’s legal education sector is at a turning point, dealing with the need to forge useful professionals for a fast-changing world.

The students crave more than just law books; they demand skills to navigate tech-driven disputes, global trade and ethical dilemmas. With India’s legal market growing, driven by startups, corporate needs, and international deals, law must nurture bold, adaptable thinkers.

The universities are now focusing on creating new leaders who succeed in courtrooms, boardrooms and uncharted frontiers of innovation.

In the Sahyadri Mountains of Jambrung, Karjat, Maharashtra, Vijaybhoomi University emerges as a beacon of innovative legal education, addressing these challenges head-on. Founded under the legacy of IFIM Institutions, known for its excellence in management education the university was established in 2019 with a vision to redefine higher education.

“Education is enablement”, inspired by the late Vijay Padode’s philosophy, the university integrates liberal education with professional disciplines, offering a unique platform for students to develop interdisciplinary skills, ethical grounding and real-world readiness.

Innovative Curriculum with Global Relevance

Building on IFIM’s reputation for management excellence, the university was established to create India’s first liberal professional university, aligning with NEP’s vision even before its formal introduction. The school of law emphasizes a holistic approach, preparing students not just for legal roles but for emerging fields such as EduTech, LegalTech, Aviation Law and Media Law.

The university’s location in the pollution-free, scenic Sahyadri range enhances the learning experience, offering an environment conducive to intellectual and personal growth, with high air quality and minimal distractions.

The School of Law’s CYOC model is a revolutionary approach, granting students autonomy to tailor their academic journey. Students pursuing a BBA LLB can select minors from diverse disciplines, ensuring they remain unconfined by traditional academic boundaries. This experience in interdisciplinary learning encourages critical thinking and deep problem-solving, which are within the boundaries of NEP and its interests in flexibility.

An example is that a student of law with an interest in technology would be able to minor in data science and particularly be capable of approaching a legal challenge that relates to cybersecurity or IT law.

The curriculum includes modules on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, SEBI guidelines, and insolvency, preparing graduates for both courtrooms and boardrooms. Their BBA LLB program offers a unique multi exit systems, allowing students to exit after three years with a BBA degree or complete the five year program for a dual BBA LLB degree.

This flexibility supports diverse career aspirations, enabling students to pursue an MBA or other paths without losing academic progress. The program maintains academic rigor through experiential learning including courtrooms, legal aid clinics and debate societies like DEBSOC. These initiatives, aligned with Bar Council of India guidelines, provide hands-on experience, fostering practical skills and social responsibility.

“Students are prepared not just for litigation, but for diverse roles across legal, regulatory, and innovation-focused sectors”, says Prof. Nitesh Kumar, Faculty Leader, Vijaybhoomi University.

Global Exposure & Thought Leadership for Future-Ready Professionals

“We have partnerships with international institutions such as Kedge Business School and School of Law (France), SUNY (New York), and the University of Wollongong for enhancing global outlook, our students can pursue dual degrees or term exchange programs, learning topics such as comparative constitutional law, international arbitration, and cross-border regulatory frameworks”, says Nitesh Kumar.

The university offers an academic calendar, with four terms annually including Independence Day, Festivals, Republic Day and Holi, facilitating dynamic learning and international exposure.

Vijaybhoomi University ensures faculty quality by recruiting from premier institutions such as ILS Pune, National Law Schools, IIMs and IITs, prioritizing research contributions and alignment with the university’s innovative pedagogy. Faculty members are encouraged to engage in continuous professional development, presenting papers at international conferences and publishing in academic journals.

“Our faculty regularly present at international conferences publish in reputed journals, and lead impactful initiatives like the Social Immersion Program aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” says Prof. Nitesh Kumar. Events like Kanyathon highlight the university’s dedication to causes such as girl child education and social transformation.

The Road Ahead: Legal Education for Tomorrow’s Challenges

Looking ahead, Vijaybhoomi University aims to become a global leader in legal education by offering specialized LLM’s and Diplomas in tech law, entertainment law and dispute resolution. The university is also planning to integrate AI and virtual reality into legal simulations, equipping students to face the tech-driven challenges.

The school is also planning to integrate AI and Virtual Reality into legal simulations, equipping students to tackle tech-driven legal challenges. By integrating liberal education and professional rigor the university takes on global partnerships and introduces students to both the skills and ethical knowledge to adapt and achieve in the global, complex world.