Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Dean. Could you start by sharing the vision and mission of the University School of Legal Studies?
Dean:
Thank you for having me. We aim to create a center of excellence in legal education, research, and advocacy. We are committed to nurturing future legal professionals who are academically sound, ethically grounded, and socially responsible. Our mission is to offer a comprehensive legal education that balances theory with practice, encouraging students to contribute meaningfully to the justice system and society.
Interviewer: What distinguishes your law programs from those offered by other institutions?
Dean:
Our programs are deeply rooted in a multidisciplinary approach. While we offer robust foundational knowledge in constitutional, criminal, corporate, and international law, we also provide exposure to emerging fields like cyber law, intellectual property rights, environmental law, and human rights. What sets us apart is our integration of classroom learning with moot court practices, legal aid clinics, internships, and case-based teaching.
Interviewer: How does the school ensure students are practice-ready when they graduate?
Dean:
We believe in experiential learning. Students engage in moot court competitions, drafting exercises, client counseling sessions, and legal internships at courts, law firms, and NGOs. Our legal aid clinic offers real-time exposure to social justice issues, while our tie-ups with legal institutions help students gain hands-on experience. Our goal is to bridge the gap between academia and practice.
Interviewer: What role does research play in the academic environment of the school?
Dean:
Research is at the core of legal education. We encourage our faculty and students to undertake original and impactful research on contemporary legal issues. We regularly publish journals, host seminars, and collaborate with national and international legal bodies for research projects. We also guide students in writing quality research papers and policy briefs.
Interviewer: How is the school addressing the evolving landscape of law, especially in the digital and global context?
Dean:
We’ve incorporated subjects like data protection law, AI and law, international trade law, and transnational dispute resolution into our curriculum. Law is becoming increasingly global and tech-driven, so we focus on digital literacy, cross-border legal issues, and comparative legal systems. We also invite global legal scholars to share international perspectives with our students.
Interviewer: What initiatives are in place to promote ethics and social responsibility among law students?
Dean:
Legal education is incomplete without ethics. We emphasize professional responsibility and ethical reasoning in every course. Through our legal literacy campaigns, pro bono work, and collaborations with legal aid organizations, students are encouraged to understand and advocate for justice, especially for marginalized communities.
