(MENAFN- ForPressRelease) Mumbai | November 20, 2025: Medhavi Skills University (MSU) and Nexus Select Trust have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-create and deliver a first-of-its-kind suite of educational programmes in Mall Management. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in aligning India's retail real estate industry with skill-based higher education, aimed at building a new generation of professionals ready to manage and lead the country's rapidly evolving urban consumption centres.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Dalip Sehgal, Chief Executive Officer, Nexus Select Malls and Mr. Rohan Vaswani, Chief Human Resources Officer, Nexus Select Malls along with Mr. Pravesh Dudani, Founder & Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University and Mr. Devender K. Saini, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Medhavi Skills University, among other dignitaries.

Designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in India's booming retail and shopping mall sector, the collaboration aims to upskill and develop the skill-sets of the frontline teams deployed at the Nexus Select Malls across 15 cities. This partnership would offer a suite of specialised programmes which include- a Certificate in Mall Management (12 months), a Diploma in Vocational Education (DVoc) in Mall Management, a Bachelor of Vocational Education (BVoc) in Mall Management. A distinctive highlight of the collaboration is the introduction of India's first deep-specialisation Mall Management degree, featuring immersive learning in operations, leasing, brand partnerships, marketing, customer experience, facility management, and integrated mall technologies. Delivered under MSU's work-integrated learning framework, the programme creditizes on-the-job learning, enabling participants to earn while they learn and acquire real-time competencies. The programme meets MSU's academic and skill standards while complying with the UGC guidelines and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Dalip Sehgal, Chief Executive Officer, Nexus Select Trust, said, "Aarunya is a one-of-its-kind initiative that truly reflects Nexus' commitment to inclusive growth. Many of our frontline colleagues never had the opportunity to pursue formal education, this program gives them that chance, while equipping them with professional skills in mall management, a first in India. By empowering our people through education, we are not just uplifting individuals, but also contributing to a more skilled and confident India."

Echoing his views, Mr. Pravesh Dudani, Founder and Chancellor of Medhavi Skills University, said, "With this collaboration, MSU is proud to launch India's first specialised and industry-aligned degree programmes in Mall Management. These programmes blend rigorous academic learning with deep, hands-on industry exposure. Our mission is to prepare professionals capable not just of operating malls efficiently, but of leading India's evolving consumption economy."

Mr. Rohan Vaswani, added, "This collaboration will create a new pipeline of specialised talent for India's rapidly expanding mall management sector. The programmes will not only impart domain expertise but also prepare students for real-world challenges across retail operations, brand engagement, and sustainability."

Mr. Devender K. Saini, Group Chief Strategy Officer, MSU, stated, "This MoU represents a powerful convergence of academia and the retail real estate industry. Together with Nexus Select Trust, we are co-designing future-ready curricula that blend structured academic growth, professional mentorship, and workplace learning - ultimately developing talent capable of managing complex retail ecosystems and delivering exceptional customer experiences."

The partnership is particularly significant given India's robust retail growth trajectory. According to a 2025 Knight Frank report, India's retail real estate market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of over 25% over the next five years, driven by rising consumer demand, urbanisation, and digital transformation. Mall-based retail is emerging as a cornerstone of India's organised retail sector, generating vast employment opportunities in operations, marketing, leasing, logistics, and facility management.

This collaboration between MSU and Nexus Select Trust is not just an academic partnership, but a forward-looking workforce development initiative aligned with India's economic priorities. By integrating MSU's work-integrated learning model with Nexus's deep industry expertise, the partnership is creating a new benchmark for professional education and skills development in India's retail sector.

Nexus Select Group:

Nexus Select Trust, India's first publicly listed retail Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), manages one of the country's largest portfolios of retail destinations, comprising 20 Grade-A urban consumption centres across 15 cities. Beyond infrastructure, Nexus is driving innovation in retail operations, customer engagement, and sustainability - creating a strong platform for experiential learning and employment in the retail sector.


Medhavi Skills University:

Medhavi Skills University (MSU), Sikkim, chartered under the Sikkim Act 2021 and recognised by UGC in 2022, is Indias first skill-based university integrating NEP 2020 in an industry-led format. Founded by IIT-Kharagpur and Stanford alumnus Mr. Pravesh Dudani (Founder & Chancellor) and educationist Mr. Kuldip Sarma (Co-Founder & Pro-Chancellor), MSU bridges skilling with higher education through its pioneering WISE initiative and extensive industry collaborations. With 650+ industry and skilling partners, MoUs with Indian defense forces, and recognition from NSDC and NCVET, MSU offers work-integrated, industry-driven learning. Ranked 4th in the Outlook i-care rankings 2025 and recognised as the emerging university of India by the Financial Express, the university is helping India build the skilled workforce for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

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