Symbiosis Hosts IALS Global Law Deans Forum 2017

November 9, 2017

IALSCOVER — IALS Inaugural Ceremony Photo: Amulya Chintaluri

The Symbiosis Law School, Pune, (SLS-P) plays host to the IALS Global Law Deans’ Forum and Annual Meeting-2017 at the SLS Pune Campus. This is a platform where law school leaders from across the world will gather to discuss and formulate new strategies to improve legal education global.

The SIU Chancellor’s Grand Reception followed by the Inaugural Ceremony was held at the Symbiosis Viman Nagar campus, with Chief Guest Adv. Ram Jethmalani, Member of Parliament, Senior Advocate (Supreme Court of India) and Professor Emeritus. Mr. M. Veerappa Moily, former Chief Minister of Karnataka. The former Law Minister was also present as the Guest of Honour alongside Francis L. Wang, President of the IALS and Barbara Smith-Holden were present at the inauguration.

The dignitaries were welcomed by the Chancellor, S. B. Majumdar, who addressed the importance of higher education in India. He emphasised on the low Gross Enrollment Rate of India despite the country supporting one of the largest education systems in the world. He went on to explain the inception of the Symbiosis Law School, and how, after much opposition, it became the first college in the country to offer a 5 year course in law.

Ram Jethmalani addressing the gathering. Photo: Amulya Chintaluri

Following his address, international students at Symbiosis University, lined up to present dignitaries, Francis Wang and Moily with flags of their respective nations.

The students represented countries from all over the world like Germany, Gabon, Bahrain and Namibia, adding up to almost 85 countries.

Moily then took to the stage to share his thoughts on the importance of law and law education, saying, “The most enabling aspect of a lawyer is his ability to provide justice to his client.”

Ram Jethmalani was invited on the stage next. He expressed his concern at the state of religion and politics across the world by saying,

“The most important thing to deal with at the moment is the misuse of religion and misuse of the character of politicians.”

He highlighted the importance of retrieving black money from overseas. As an example, he narrated his experience with attempting to retrieve a list of 1400 people from Germany, which listed names of people with accounts at the Liechtenstein Bank. Only legal knowledge and acumen could bring the power to question authorities and their decisions.

After Jethmalani’s passionate address, nine professors of law were honoured for their contribution to law education, through their classroom teachings and books. Sasikala Gurupur, Director of the Symbiois Law School, delivered a vote of thanks.

“This is the first time that private and national law schools in the country have collaborated to create such a fora,” she said, extending her thanks to both national and private schools that extended their help to make the event a success.

The event concluded with a cultural extravaganza. Tejas Joshi, grandson of the great Bhimsen Joshi, performed the tabla along with flautist, Guru Dutt followed by performances by the students of Symbiosis.