In a significant move to bolster New Jersey’s health care workforce, Montclair State University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU), a leading academic institution in Mumbai. The agreement, witnessed by Gov. Phil Murphy, aims to foster academic and cultural collaboration to train the next generation of health care professionals.
The partnership, announced by Choose New Jersey as part of a state-led economic mission to India, is a strategic effort to address the growing demand for licensed nurses in New Jersey’s thriving health care industry. The MOU will focus on two key initiatives: developing a certificate program and creating a preparatory program for a critical licensing exam.
Under the agreement, the two universities will work together to create a certificate program for adult and geriatric care. This is a direct response to the needs of New Jersey’s aging population and a way to ensure that healthcare workers are equipped with specialized skills.
Furthermore, the collaboration will establish a program to prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Passing this standardized exam is a mandatory step for registered nurses (RNs) to practice in the United States. By providing this preparatory curriculum, the partnership will create a direct pathway for Indian students to become licensed nurses in New Jersey, strengthening the state’s talent pipeline.
Murphy highlighted the importance of this international collaboration. “This partnership bridges the research capabilities of Montclair State University with the global perspectives of one of Mumbai’s most prominent universities to equip the next generation of health care workers to care for New Jersey residents,” he said.
Jonathan Koppell, president of Montclair State University, emphasized the institution’s readiness for the collaboration. “As an R2 research institution, we are ready to collaborate with Somaiya Vidyavihar University to help meet the need for licensed nurses in health care settings and improve patient care outcomes across the state,” he said.
Professor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, vice chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, noted the partnership’s role in preparing students for global careers.
“Through this partnership with Montclair State University, we are able to combine our academic strengths with New Jersey’s innovative health care ecosystem to equip the next generation of nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to make a real impact on patient care worldwide,” he said.
The partnership also aligns with the mission of Choose New Jersey, which promotes the state’s business and academic sectors on a global scale.
“The partnership…represents New Jersey’s ability to collaborate with global partners to create a lasting impact at home,” Wes Mathews, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey said.
This collaboration is a strategic step toward addressing the U.S. nursing shortage by tapping into the highly skilled talent pool from India, while also creating new opportunities for academic exchange and professional development for students from both institutions.
