George Washington University President Steven Knapp and Interim Law School Dean Gregory E. Maggs recently welcomed India’s Minister of Corporate Affairs, H.E. Sachin Pilot, to the university.
At a meeting with GW faculty members and officials from India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Embassy of India, they discussed issues relating to corporate law and governance and extended a memorandum of understanding between the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and the Law School to continue collaboration between the two institutions.
The IICA, established in 2008, focuses on research and capacity building within India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs and serves as a think tank on issues related to corporate governance and public policy, corporate law, competition law, corporate finance and corporate social responsibility. The Law School has been involved with the IICA since its inception and has worked with IICA founders to identify areas of research and to provide guidance regarding its structure.
The GW Law School’s engagement with the IICA has been extensive. In the past five years, GW Law Professors Paul Berman, William Kovacic, Jeffrey Manns, Edward Swaine and Chris Yukins, along with Associate Dean Susan Karamanian, have participated in IICA conferences in New Delhi. The topics have included competition law, banking regulation, investment law and anti-corruption.
Additionally, the Law School has hosted various meetings with IICA officials at the law school and co-hosted with IICA a student moot court competition in New Delhi regarding international insolvency.
According to Minister Pilot, the collaboration between GW Law and the IICA leverages the good work both institutions are performing.
“International experiences covering the global business environment, corporate law, corporate governance, and competition law can be good learning for IICA,” he said. While lauding the partnership between IICA and GW Law, the minister also stressed his desire to be more deeply involved in the collaborative programs.
Dr. Knapp called the memorandum of understanding an opportunity to engage with IICA in the area of corporate affairs for the next three years. Both organizations look forward to continuing and broadening the relationship.