Taste the flavour of integrated courses
GIRISH PATTANASHETTI
Vice Chancellor of the Karnataka State Law University Dr. J.S. Patil speaking at a function
To transform Karnataka into a legally conscious society, by providing quality legal education that is professionally competent and socially relevant so as to realise the constitutional primordial goal of social, economic and political justice and secure human rights to every common man. Strive to promote the culture of law and justice in the institutions of state, non-governmental organisations and every individual by providing informal legal education, training and legal service. Above all, inculcate in everyone a spirit of high moral and human values…”
This is the vision statement of Karnataka State Law University established by the Government of Karnataka at Navanagar in Hubli. The single largest federal law university in the country, affiliating more than 85 law colleges spread across the State, has started functioning with the theme “Indian roots, Global heights.” The law university is scheduled to have a formal inauguration by the Chief Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa, on October 9.
The State Government has released Rs. 10 crore as first instalment towards administrative and other expenses and the university has already launched four courses.
Jaiprakashreddy Sannabasanagouda Patil (J.S. Patil) has been vested with the responsibility of building the university as Vice- Chancellor.
Speaking to The Hindu, Prof. Patil elaborated on the nature of the law university, the challenges before it and other issues.
What is your plan of action?
Although from the administration point of view, the format is that of traditional universities, we want the university to be different in its approach. We want to give the students world-class facilities and teaching. Modern methods of teaching such as use of computers, LCD and digital board are being adopted in KSLU Law School without ignoring the traditional system of classroom teaching.
Although we utilise various gadgets to complement the teaching, ultimately it is the ‘law guru’ who will be the focal point. That’s why we have kept the theme “Indian roots, Global heights.” Moreover, the classroom teaching will be more interactive and we have already introduced partnership teaching.
There are always teething problems. Does KSLU have any?
No. Through the KSLU Law School we have launched four courses: five-year integrated double degree courses B.A.-LL.B., BBA-LL.B., LL.M. in Constitutional Law and LL.M. in Intellectual Property Rights. Before launching the programmes we did a lot of groundwork. Getting digital classrooms and electronic gadgets was one aspect but providing the students with enough study material was an important one.
We have at present 2.5 lakh e-books, 40 of them being audio books. We have purchased 30,000 law books worth Rs. 1 crore, which are being made available to the students. By the end of academic year we would be spending another Rs. 50 lakh on books. All the e-books, voice readers and other software would be downloaded to the students’ laptops, which were provided at subsidised cost.
People in the legal profession and law education have been assisting KSLU in its endeavours. With the help of Prof. C.S. Patil and Prof. Vaugh and system engineers working with the university, we have been able to indigenously develop a search engine and a package titled “Indian Case Law” under which students will have access to all the judgements delivered in various courts in the country since 1950.
What is ILTCS?
KSLU will be establishing the Institute for Legal Training, Consultancy and Services with the objective of providing training to students, consultancy to the customers and service to the society at large in legal matters. The Institute will be used to prepare the students for Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO). With 85 affiliated colleges, there will be a huge availability of students and they will be trained in various aspects of LPO during their courses.
There are complaints about the quality of law education in the affiliated colleges. What does KSLU plan to do?
To begin with, we have had a conclave of principals of these affiliated colleges, during which various issues including the common syllabi and the quality of education were discussed. Already the colleges have been asked to upgrade not only the infrastructure but also the standard of legal education. The college managements have agreed to take steps. Strict guidelines have already been formed and those colleges that fail to follow the norms will be given some time to improve. The next step in the coming years would be withdrawing the affiliation. KSLU will also revise the examination pattern.
Will KSLU have tie-ups?
Already the KSLU has tied up with Karnataka State Legal Services Authority. Through ILCTS, we plan to take up the initiative of a legal database and legal census. Another MoU with the Karnataka Institute for Law and Parliamentary Reform is on the anvil. Ghant University, Belgium, has evinced interest in having an MoU with KSLU on the legal data base project and Prof. Balagangadhar from Ghant will be visiting the university shortly.
You have been talking of inter-disciplinary courses…
We have already begun that with the BBA-LL.B. course. In the coming years we plan to start courses in every field where law has a role. Over a period of time we plan to start offering integrated and hybrid courses related to B.Com. B.Tech., MBBS, MBA and so on.
When will the campus start taking its shape?
Taking suggestions from various quarters, a proposal worth Rs. 100 crore has been prepared for the construction of the University building having various blocks on a campus of 53 acres.
The proposal includes buildings to house administrative block, examination block, a digital library, digital classrooms and other facilities. Expression of Interest has been sought on the proposal and the concept of the campus. Based on the response, further steps will be taken.
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