The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (KCLAS), marking an important step toward strengthening industry–academia collaboration within India’s retail sector.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Shankar Vanavarayar, President of Kumaraguru Institutions, and Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of the Retailers Association of India. The partnership is part of a structured programme focused on the future of retail, innovation, and talent development.
Under the agreement, RAI and KCLAS will work together to create sustained engagement through knowledge exchange, student exposure, faculty interaction, research collaboration, and co-created initiatives aligned with the evolving needs of India’s retail ecosystem. A detailed collaboration calendar for 2026–2027 was unveiled, outlining industry sessions, experiential learning programmes, student-led initiatives, and thought-leadership forums.
Speaking on the occasion, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, highlighted the importance of preparing students for a rapidly changing retail environment while allowing the industry to benefit from fresh ideas and emerging perspectives contributed by the next generation.
The MoU supports RAI’s broader objective of enhancing long-term growth, professionalism, and future-ready talent within the retail industry by strengthening links with educational institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Shankar Vanavarayar, President of Kumaraguru Institutions, emphasised the need for education to remain closely connected with industry realities. He noted that the partnership would enable students and faculty to engage directly with the retail sector, fostering innovation, applied research, and the development of skills critical to India’s economic and social progress.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment by both institutions to nurture talent, encourage innovation, and contribute meaningfully to India’s retail growth through structured and long-term industry–academia engagement.
