VADODARA: M S University's Faculty of Fine Arts will join hands with the US-based Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond. The two institutes will sign an exploratory MoU on Monday.

School of Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU Arts) is recognized as US' one of the greatest schools of arts and design. It was ranked number one public university schools of arts and design in the country by US News and World Report in 2009.

On Monday, the MoU will be signed between MSU's Faculty of Fine Arts and VCU Arts where VCU will be represented by NRG Kamlesh Dave, member of the board of visitor of VCU in presence of MSU chancellor Mrunalini Devi Puar, vice-chancellor professor Yogesh Singh, officer on special duty (registrar) Amit Dholakia and dean of Faculty of Fine Arts Dr Shailendra Kushwaha.

"We are happy that we will be forging this collaboration that will help us put MSU on world map. At the Faculty of Fine Arts, there is already a proposal to set up an Institute of Design. The School of Arts of VCU is the only public university's arts and design school in the US to be ranked high in the overall ranking. Having an international collaboration at a time when the Institute of Design is taking shape will help us provide an international stature to the project," director of international affairs professor Sharad Bansal told TOI on Friday.

VCU is the most comprehensive premier urban, public research university in the state of Virginia, US since 1779. Over 31,000 students pursue 222 degree and certificate programmes through VCU's 13 schools and one college. According to the 2012 US News and Reports, VCU is classified as a tier 1 university with a very high overall national university ranking.

Dave is governor's nominee on the board of trustees of VCU. As an active NRG, he is chairman of Republican Indian Committee of Commonwealth of Virginia State Chapter. He has been chairman and active member on several prestigious boards and committees in the United States.