Reliance University to Transform Mumbai into Knowledge City, Says Nita Ambani
MUMBAI (India CSR): Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani has announced that the Government of Maharashtra has approved the establishment of Reliance University as a State Private University, marking a major milestone in India’s higher education landscape.
Addressing the 49th Reliance Annual General Meeting, Ambani, the Founding President and Chancellor of the proposed university, said the institution would help strengthen India’s global standing in higher education.
Ambani said the university would support the vision of Viksit Bharat by helping Mumbai emerge as a knowledge city and Bharat as a Gyan Bhumi.
“I am proud to share that we have received approval from the Government of Maharashtra to establish a State Private University. Our interim campus at Ulwe is already a vibrant center for learning with modern academic, residential, and sports facilities on par with global standards. But what lies ahead is even more transformative,” Nita Ambani said.
She said the upcoming permanent campus at Dronagiri, spread across 410 acres, would be world-class in size, design and academic excellence.
“Our upcoming permanent campus at Dronagiri, spread across 410 acres, will be truly world-class in size, design, and most importantly, excellence in academics and research,” she said.
The campus will bring together an Academic District, Research Park, Sports District, Medi-City, Residential District, Arts District and an Innovation and Incubation Park. The Arts District will include amphitheatres, performance halls and art houses, while the Innovation and Incubation Park will support cutting-edge research and the creation of future unicorns.
The university will host seven world-class schools with a focus on AI and emerging technologies. These include the School of Engineering and Computing, School of Management and Entrepreneurship, School of Law, Governance and Policy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Medical Science and Public Health, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and School of Education.
Ambani said the institution would offer undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. It will bring together teachers, scientists, researchers, innovators and thought leaders from around the world.

“In line with the vision for Viksit Bharat, our university will help Mumbai transform into a knowledge city and Bharat into a Gyan Bhumi, a knowledge power,” she said.
She added that the university would welcome international faculty, students and scholars, creating a global academic community.
Ambani said educational institutions must evolve with changing times and prepare future leaders who are agile, adaptable and resilient.
“Our ethos is to nurture a culture of excellence, integrity, and lifelong learning, an institution that will inspire thinkers who question, builders who create, scientists who innovate, and leaders who serve,” she said.
She said the university would aim to produce students who carry the confidence of India’s heritage and the ambition of its future, rooted in Indian values while also becoming citizens of the world.
The proposed Reliance University is being positioned as more than an educational institution. It is envisioned as an integrated destination for learning, discovery, innovation, research, healthcare, sports, arts and global academic collaboration.
Seven Schools to Drive Future-Ready Education
The proposed university will comprise seven multidisciplinary schools:
- School of Engineering and Computing
- School of Management and Entrepreneurship
- School of Law, Governance and Policy
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Medical Science and Public Health
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning
- School of Education
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| University Approval | Government of Maharashtra approved Reliance University as a State Private University. |
| Announced By | Smt. Nita Ambani, Chairperson, Reliance Foundation. |
| Event | 49th Reliance Annual General Meeting. |
| Interim Campus | Located at Ulwe, with modern academic, residential and sports facilities. |
| Permanent Campus | Coming up at Dronagiri, spread across 410 acres. |
| Campus Vision | World-class campus focused on academics, research, innovation, healthcare, sports and arts. |
| Key Districts | Academic District, Research Park, Sports District, Medi-City, Residential District, Arts District, Innovation and Incubation Park. |
| Seven Schools | Engineering and Computing; Management and Entrepreneurship; Law, Governance and Policy; Humanities and Social Sciences; Medical Science and Public Health; Architecture and Urban Planning; Education. |
| Academic Focus | AI, emerging technologies, research and global-standard higher education. |
| Programmes | Undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. |
| Global Vision | International faculty, students and scholars to create a global academic community. |
| Larger Goal | Transform Mumbai into a Knowledge City and Bharat into a Gyan Bhumi. |
