Posted by By Suyogya Awasthy, Chief Executive Officer, LawOF
In India, Do the practical training and clinical legal education being integral parts of the curriculum in law courses create relevance with the new trends emerging in curriculum development worldwide — to meet the ever-growing challenges? In this exclusive interview, Dr. Dharmender Patial elucidate many barriers that prevent us from the fear of change in our path and many ways to enhance the chances of success. His insightful suggestions are a must-read.
Dr. Dharmender Patial, you have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. Would you please tell us the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?
I had always been passionate about building my career in the education sector and this desire had inclined me towards the education sector and helped me sustain my passion for teaching and research. I joined Geeta Institute of Law(GIL) as a Professor & Dean after successfully working with Lloyd Law College and other Renowned Law Schools. I was the Founder of a National Level Entrance Test for Law. The best thing about this profession is that it provides you a platform to remain a learner for life. I always focus on constant learning and upgrading my skills with the current approaches and ongoing trends in education; resultantly, I founded a renowned legal news website “LawOF”. I just don’t limit the education with teaching-learning but I believe in inculcating in students the intent for up-skilling and learning the concurrent trends along with gaining the conceptual clarity.
When you first entered the education sector, what was your vision for the development of a law college?
I had joined the education sector with a vision of developing an environment in college for working and learning in which the differences and distinctions are valued and every student, faculty member, and other staff member in the Institute is supported and offered an equitable opportunity to perform their best and to achieve their academic or professional goals.
With a great sense of conviction, I personally believe that an institution cannot succeed in any of its ventures if it is not committed to strengthening the idea of teamwork. Teamwork, in my consideration, is the bedrock on which the overall development of an institution depends. Therefore, there is no doubt when I say that a leader is nothing without his team. It is hence very essential to work not in groups but within the spirit of a team.
What inspired you to choose law as a career?
I always wanted to serve the people of our country. Demography is a boon only if government provides good quality education and robust health facilities. My motivation comes from the state of education in our country especially higher education. I personally believe that law should be taught as a separate stream in our school and students must be made aware about their rights and duties.
What are the major areas a student should focus on during his law school journey?
Research and publication, internship, mooting, seminar and debate, legal aid and literacy club etc. In my present college, I have started different Centers (i.e. Centre for Forensic Science, Centre for Criminal justice Reform, etc.) to help students to achieve maximum potential in his law school journey.
In your opinion, what is one very important skill a student should develop in order to excel in legal field?
Reading and listening in my opinion forms the most important part of the personality. I would recommend students to read more and more and also one can be a successful lawyer only if one has developed the art of listening.
What do you think should be the Law College’s top priority for upcoming years for the betterment of law students?
In my opinion, it is important for law colleges to work as leaders in imparting quality legal education in India. The law colleges should set their institutional strategic priorities and the goals which should be achieved within the next ten years.
These include:
1. Academics: Colleges should prioritize focusing on supporting a rich and diverse classroom and university culture to fuel a passion for lifetime learning. They should set a goal to improve educational attainment levels in the region by enhancing the ease of higher education access, assisting students in identifying practicality and academic targets to attain success and satisfaction in life, embracing technologies and modes of delivery of knowledge, and building on regional, national and international partnerships to improve the quality of education.
2. Diversity and Inclusion: Colleges should create a culture of inclusion that will further enrich the campus experience for all. It is important to be dedicated to communicating the value of diversity by creating and implementing programs to increase the inclusion of students and faculty from different ethnic and economic groups in society.
3. Partnerships: Fostering relationships is vital to ensure the success of any organization. I always believe in building healthy relationships to ensure the progressive success of the college and the students. To continue developing and fostering partnerships, Colleges should focus on being conscientious of the value of every person and organization that can support them in various ventures and programs.
Do the practical training and clinical legal education be an integral part of the curriculum in law courses in India creates relevance with the new trends emerging in curriculum development worldwide—to meet the ever-growing challenges?
We can clearly observe that the impact of globalization and the fast-changing technology has greatly influenced the pace at which Law evolves. So, for that, it becomes a requirement for every educational institute to be equipped with a technologically advanced curriculum and teaching pedagogy. Indian Law colleges are shifting their pedagogical to an advanced level where they are focusing on their students gaining more experience and self- satisfaction so that students can be motivated by their own innate need to learn and the pursuit for recognition instead of only relying on the instructions of the teachers.
Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?
I feel in this world with rapid changes taking place, young people need the right mix of skills to thrive which actually works as the biggest motivation to keep challenging yourself. Otherwise, it can cost future opportunities to them. Students need to get experience in the practicality of law by gaining experience through internships because qualifications will get them to the interview but experience and passion will get them further in their life and for that, it is vital to set high personal and academic standards for themselves and live up to them.
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