Achieving academic excellence is a person’s long-term goal as it takes more than just sweat and toil. It takes determination, integrity, and commitment supported by an intellectually stimulating environment. In this pursuit of excellence, a person, as a student, looks up to academic institutes for facilitating the journey. An excellent academic institute not only gives a conducive environment to the students but plays an active role in assisting the students to set a new benchmark of achievement. In the legal fraternity in India, Parul Institute of Law has been playing the aforementioned role.
Parul Institute of Law(PIL) is a constituent college of Parul University, a private university created by the Gujarat Private Universities (Second Amendment) Act, 2015 and duly recognized by the UGC under Section 2(f). PIL is duly approved by the Bar Council of India and is a member of International Association of Law Schools, New York. Established in 2016, The Institute currently caters to students from 8 different nations around the world.
Unique Pedagogy
Parul Institute of Law is known for its wide range of academic courses offered, something which is not available at other National Law universities or reputed colleges. The Institute currently offers Five Year Integrated courses of BALLB, BComLLB, BBA LLB, Three Year LLB (Unitary) course and One Year LL.M Program in six specializations of Intellectual Property Law, International Law, Public Policy and Governance, Criminal and Security Laws, Environmental Law and International Human Rights Law. The Institute also offers M.Phil. and the PhD program in Law.
Additionally, a PG Diploma course in IP Law is also offered to cater to academicians, professionals and students from other disciplines. It also offers unconventional courses like Public policy and Governance, International Law and International Human Rights Law, which are rare in the country. These courses ensure a continuous dialogue with socio-economic and political developments in the contemporary era and critically review issues of the global society.
The Institute strives to set standards in legal education through its innovative pedagogy that combines traditional academics with industry-academics. It arranges for regular guest lectures of legal practitioners who ensure inculcating skill-sets as per industry requirements. This helps students to be moulded and equipped to address the obstacles in their professional career. Additionally, with international students from various countries, comparative studies have been promoted, setting new milestones in the legal field. Inter-disciplinary research has widened the scope and diversified the curriculum with the introduction of Agriculture laws, Health laws, Law and Economics, and Forensic science and Law. These courses are till date not available at the premier and conventional universities.
Meet the Brilliant Mind
Dr. Akil Saiyed, Director, Parul Institute of Law and Dean, Faculty of Law, Parul University is associated with the Institute since June 2017. Since the beginning, he has spearheaded the Institute towards excellence and growth. The same can be seen through the number of courses offered in the Institute with his strong commitment and able leadership to provide quality legal education.
Having 25+ years blend experience of teaching, research, administration and ten years of professional practice, he understood the need to have strong linkages with the Industry and give practical exposure to the students from the field. Accordingly, he invested time in building strong networking of the Institute with the District Legal Services Authority, Vadodara. As a result of regular legal awareness campaigns in schools, colleges and the vicinity, active participation in Lok Adalats have only better moulded the students to the practical aspects of the law. Under his leadership, the Institute continues its pursuit in setting a balance between professional excellence and social responsibility.
Creating Leaders of Tomorrow
Since inception, the management and faculties of Parul Institute of Law have strived in ensuring quality legal education, with a blend of practical exposure. This approached rewarded the Institute later on and at present, it offers several other courses and having a wider audience to cater to. The Institute has channelized its activities through a specific focus on co-curricular activities and extra-curricular activities. Co-curricular activities like Moot Court competitions, Judgment writing, Client counselling, Youth Parliament and other such activities further help the students to develop critical thinking and their own opinions and perspectives of an issue. Extra-curricular activities like debate competitions, sports activities help the holistic development of the students during their time at the Institute.
Additionally, Comparative research studies help the student understand the various dimensions of law in a global society. They also develop their interests in the subject and look out for the answers to their queries. This is done through incentivising the research activities through publications and presentations which give a broader view of the issues and challenges. Student Exchange programs are also organised, thereby giving an International exposure to the students.
Lectures by Adjunct Professors, Retired Judges, Senior Lawyers and Legal Professionals again help the students to identify their core interests. This is further done through workshops, seminars and conferences that provide a space to give their views and opinions, forming their own identities in the legal profession. Students looking at joining the judiciary or the public services are also guided by well-qualified and experienced faculties at the Institute. This has facilitated the students in exploring opportunities in the government sector.
Opportunities Ahead
Law is considered a dynamic discipline which creates both awareness for an individual, and career opportunities as well. After completion of the degree in Law, a student can start his legal practice. He may additionally associate with a firm and work within the organisation. While academics remains an evergreen option for all disciplines, the law helps in approaching competitive examinations strategically. Exams like the UPSC, State PSC and other exams require some knowledge on the basics of law. A student of law has additional mileage of Judiciary, which is open only for law graduates.
MNCs and many Government PSUs have specific openings requiring a degree in law. This again allows a student of law at a different pedestal. Students with an interest in working with the society can work closely with NGOs and Civil society groups who often are under a dire need of legal experts in redressing issues.
A Round of Applause
Several academic activities like Expert lectures, Seminars, Conferences and Workshops have been organised by the Institute. One of the achievements of the Institute was the financial assistance of Rs. 1,50,000/ -received by the National Commission for Women, Delhi for organising Seminar. The Institute organised a National Seminar on “Gender Stereotyping in Occupational Choices: Women in India” on 09.03.2019 marking International Women Day.
Another initiative by the Institute was the State-level Moot Court competition in vernacular language, first of its kind in the entire country. Students with language difficulties often do not find opportunities and space to develop and excel. Such students often remain excluded from most events. The Initiative not only was aimed at the inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds but also widened the scope of legal education.
Additionally, students of the Institute have brought laurels in several competitions. Students have won several prizes including Client counselling competitions, Moot Court Competitions, Debate and Extempore competitions at different colleges in India.
Students have also displayed their commitment to society with their collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority, Vadodara. Their roles of Para Legal Volunteers in assisting the marginalised and the underprivileged have contributed to the Institute’s development.
Future Outlook
Parul Institute of Law is already on the path to roll out some more interdisciplinary courses that have not been explored by others. The same would in true sense be beneficial for academicians from different disciplines and professionals from the industry to be better equipped to face the challenges in their careers. The Institute looks at further building a strong network in the academic world. Collaborations with Universities abroad will further pave way for more student and faculty exchange program, exploring new avenues for undertaking research and also new opportunities for the Institute.
The Institute continues its strategic approach in making a brand in India. The infrastructure which is at par with global standards gives extra mileage to the Institute. However, it is the combined efforts of the management, faculty and students that in the end, that will aid the Institute to reach new heights.
