Lex Witness in conversation with Dr. Rawandale, Director, Symbiosis Law School, Noida attempts to understand and bring forth various academic perspectives of the Indian Legal Fraternity. A noticeable message for the academic environment today.
We started our first batch in December 2010. At that time I frequently got asked if we would be able to maintain the same standards as Symbiosis International University has set especially in Law. This gave us food for thought and helped shape our fundamental policy – We look within. This implies that in setting standards we have the Symbiosis ecosystem for inspiration and we constantly endeavour to not only meet but also better the standards set. This is what has helped SLS-NOIDA become a premier law institute in just about four years’ time.
At SLS-NOIDA we call our students, “Learners” and understand that they are our most valuable stakeholders. The admission process has been so designed that it helps us induct the best talent available. The infrastructure we have been able to build helps us hone this talent the way it should be, and an experienced faculty helps make sure that the right environment for learning and growth is provided. I think I can say with a lot of satisfaction that the systems and processes we have set means that today we have our learners going to the best possible recruiters in the industry for their internships.
One says ‘Learning is the constant process’, however I learnt that ‘Learning is a process and you are the constant in this process’. In other words, learning should continue without any barrier. SLS-Noida ensures that learning transcends the boundaries of the classroom and can happen at any time using technology for the benefit of its learners. Called The Curiosity Project, it is the first of its kind where online systems have been used for meaningful administrative automation and improved learning methodologies which includes The Library, an application provided where learners can access class notes, presentations and interesting online videos or articles for further study under each of their subjects. This portal is collaborative, so learners (even parents) can share any content they find interesting with each other; The Library is completely open, so students can access content from other subjects or years to satiate their curiosities; Banyan Tree -The Flipped Classroom concept where doubts, questions for general debate, and polls are posed. Learners are encouraged to participate by asking posing such questions or providing opinions, and perspectives where they can. The results are then discussed in the classroom in the presence of the teacher who acts as a moderator. The Flipped Classroom initiative ensures that learning transcends the boundaries of the classroom and can happen at any time using the Internet; The Amphitheatre, under Curiosity, tracks official notices and events at the campus. Students can also reach out to each other for projects, games, trips, exchanges, and any such friendly collaboration using the application. Using Curiosity, Learners can also keep close track of their performance in attendance and tests to keep improving. Such information is also available to Angels – parents, guardians, siblings, and mentors who have an interest in a child’s progress.
As far as global collaborations are concerned, we already have built bridges. Our tie-ups are with Berlin School of Economics and Law (Germany), Northumbria University School of Law (UK) and The Michigan State University School of Law (USA) and soon with Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada. We also instituted an International Law Student Association (ILSA) and Enactus chapter.
I think some aspects of educational system need serious attention. When it comes to creating and developing skill sets among law students, we need to start with identifying those skills first. Any mistake here renders waste the entire process of skill development. This needs expertise, which in the educational system is a bit hard to come by for various reasons. I feel the educational system does not do enough to scrutinize, and more importantly, incentivize expertise. Moreover, experts are themselves hard pressed for time. We have a very good bench-strength of fresh Law graduates in India. All they require is nurturing. Once this happens, nothing can stop them from reaching the pinnacle of success.
SLS-NOIDA has, since its inception, worked on developing the ‘Adaptability Quotient’ of learners. This coupled with their intense dedication and hard-work has brought laurels for SLS-NOIDA and its subsequent batches of learners. Recruiters are immensely impressed by the professional behaviour of our learners.
The stress on balance of curricular, cocurricular and extra-curricular at SLS-NOIDA is suitably high and there is intense competition internally. When our learners go out into the world, they deliver more than what is expected of them. This holds not just for graduates seeking employment, but also for learners who go for their internships.
At SLS-NOIDA, we are very sensitive towards the dynamic requirements of the industry. When we speak to experts or even to parents of learners who have a background in law, they tell us that they are impressed with our efforts to evolve continuously. They are particularly happy with the fact that we keep revising our curriculum, our promptness in introducing new subjects and making them a part of the teaching calendar.
At SLS-NOIDA we have always sought expert opinion and advice, and based on such advice modified our curriculum. We often introduce new courses, but whenever we do we do not wait for the teaching calendar to be revised. We hold these classes on Sundays. An added advantage is that industry professionals can come over on Sundays and share with learners some lessons from the field.
Over the years, we have also included upcoming subjects in our curriculum. These subjects are taught by industry professionals or academicians of a very high repute. The curriculum is revised continuously to make sure that it stays relevant. This process has been running smoothly for quite some time now. The industry luminaries who have been to SLSNOIDA have been quite appreciative of the curriculum that we offer as a part of our 5- Year integrated BA LL.B. (Hons.) and BBA LL.B. (Hons.) courses.
I believe Continued Learning Education has three important traits – that it is ongoing in nature meaning that it does not stop or end anywhere; that the learner has to intentionally get involved in the learner needs to have an academic bent of mind.
In India, CLE initiatives are few and far between. These initiatives have primarily been an active source of revitalization for working professionals in western countries. We are yet to see much traction in this domain in India. To make it a viable option, we need many ‘social entrepreneurs’ in this country who are able to provide such opportunities to the professionals and become the external motivating force.
The ‘2010-15’ batch represents a judicious mix of talent, skills and ability. The learners in this batch have been actively involved in curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities. They have interned with multiple recruiters including the top Law Firms, Law Offices, Corporations, Government Offices, State and National Tribunals, NGOs and Judiciary. Having said this I must say I am proud of all my students and most of the things I have said about the ’10-15’ batch hold true for all of them.
Generally speaking, SLS-NOIDA has been very active in tracking the work, growth and general attitude of learners wherever they go for their internships. This has been pivotal in ensuring that they take these internships seriously.
Apart from all these activities, our students also have been involved in various national and international conferences, moot court competitions and in research work. Many of them have been published in renowned national and international journals.
Education, per se, in India has come of age. Legal education, in particular, can boast of some of the best names in the Industry. What can still be improved, however, is the industry-student interaction. As a matter of fact we need to facilitate not just interaction but interaction which leads to action. To begin with, in organizing conferences, seminars, discourse setc., we need to make sure that the students who attend, learn things they can implement for their personal growth. I feel the legal community in India is one of the best in the world. If we could somehow create mechanisms that would facilitate the entry of top brains from this community into teaching and academics, it would help create just the right environment for knowledge sharing.
Work hard, be passionate and cultivate excellence. The industry today is struggling to get ‘employable talent’, and if all these do not make you employable nothing ever will. It is important to understand that maturity doesn’t just come with age; it has also got a lot to do with how involved you are with your work. Work honestly and smartly. Success will follow you.
Favourite law subject – Public International Law, Jurisprudence and Law of Torts
Favourite reads – Fali Nariman, ‘Before Memory Fades…An Autobiography’, (Hay House India: 2010), S. Ramadorai, ‘The TCS Story’, (Penguin Books Ltd.: 2011), Walter Isaacson, ‘Steve Jobs’, (Little, Brown: 2011), Shashi Tharoor, ‘India – The Future is Now’, (Wisdom Tree: 2013)
Favourite social media platform – Facebook and LinkedIn
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