In a University, it is imperative to exchange ideas, teaching pedagogy, and give students an overall exposure to make them professionally ready for the international market. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies [School of Law] in collaboration with the University of Law, UK, with the aim to enrich students with a global approach to law, organized a two-week-long workshop on the development of ‘Academic and Professional Skills’ of the students.
Two experts from ULaw, UK, Ms. Rachael Wright, and Ms. Emma Taylor, organized the sessions. The workshop was organized with the support and guidance of Prof. [Dr.] Vijay Kumar Singh, [Dean, School of Law]Prof. [Dr.] Geetha Heggde [Dean, School of Business] and was coordinated by Ms. Charu Srivastava [Faculty Coordinator of the APS workshop and School Coordinator for International Affairs Department]. In total, 80 School of Law students attended and actively participated in the workshop.
Experts from the University of Law
Ms. Racheal Wright is a senior lecturer at the University of Law, UK. With 12 years practicing as a solicitor, she specializes in commercial litigation, representing banks, companies, and individuals in English courts.
Ms. Emma Taylor is a senior tutor and Program Lead at the University of Law, UK with 10 years’ experience as a practicing solicitor and holds a specialization in commercial litigation. Working in Bristol as a Senior Assistant solicitor, she manages to take out time for art and exhibits them at local art trails.
Academic and Professional Skills Workshop
The first week of the workshop was conducted by Ms. Rachel and the second week by Ms. Emma Taylor. The workshop was beneficial, enriching in spirit not only for the students but also for the faculty members who were involved in the process.
The two-week-long event aimed to hone the academic and professional skills of the law students to equip them with the skill sets needed to pursue and make a mark in the law career. The exercises included ‘Large Group Activities’ as well as ‘workshops’ offering an overall exposure in the skills needed for a legal practitioner, a corporate attorney, an in-house counsel among others. Client counseling, client interactions, note-making, legal writing, effective communication, effective presentation, conducting effective conferences with the clients, and the use of technology within the law are a few skills that were developed and polished through these exercises. These skills are important for ‘Academic and Professional Skills’. The importance of the IRAC (Issues, Rule, Application, and Conclusion) model during a client meeting was also explained to students.