CLEAR VERDICT

With its innovative courses, emphasis on research and holistic student welfare model, the premier law school remains miles ahead of the competition

- ARAVIND GOWDA

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, which emerged as the country’s best law university in the latest India Today-MDRA Best Universities survey, has not only carved an identity of its own but maintained its eminence since it was established over 30 years ago. NLSIU has become the template for legal education across the country. The hallmarks of the institution are its emphasis on quality education, a vibrant environment, an opportunity for students to interact with legal luminaries, and a free-thinking culture. While NLSIU pioneered the five-year integrated BA LLB (Hons) course, it has given equal importance to postgraduate programs, such as the Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Laws (LLM).

Prof (Dr) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, who took over as vice-chancellor of NLSIU in 2019, has embarked on a mission to revamp the PG programs so that they reflect the latest trends in law education. The emphasis of the courses, he says, is on involving students in the university’s research projects, some of which have shaped government policies and frameworks in the past.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted big changes in the way education will be imparted, Dr. Krishnaswamy believes the system should move towards adopting online learning platforms that will help students complete their courses. At the same time, NLSIU gives adequate emphasis on the mental and social health of students by integrating various support systems that will help the young minds overcome stress and obstacles in the pursuit of their academic goals.