Conrad opens NLU at temporary campus

Shillong: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday inaugurated the temporary campus of National Law University (NLU) in Mayurbhanj Complex here. At the event, he stressed the importance of documenting and codifying customary and tribal laws.Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court Sanjib Banerjee, education minister Rakkam A Sangma and vice-chancellor of the university, Indrajit Dube, were present at the event.He expressed his vision for NLU to become a center of excellence for research on customary laws and practices in the entire northeastern region. He expressed hope that the establishment of NLU would bring about a transformative change in legal studies and research in Meghalaya. At the same time, he also acknowledged the challenges faced by the state’s legal system over the past 50 years due to the lack of proper training institutions, exposure and knowledge.Sangma expressed hope that NLU would foster innovation, research, and critical thinking and highlighted the university’s unique courses in business administration, policy research and data sciences combined with law, which would equip students to tackle emerging challenges. He emphasized the significance of addressing climate change and the associated legal frameworks and pointed out that NLU’s data science course combined with the law is the first of its kind in the country. “Such innovative courses aim to prepare the youth with necessary skills and solutions required in the ever-evolving landscape,” he observed.Underlining the importance of innovation in education, he noted that the establishment of NLU in Shillong would contribute to the transformation of legal education and stressed the significance of integrating ‘smart technology’ for education, as it facilitates connectivity with the global society and enhances the learning experience for students.The Meghalaya government has allocated Rs 25 crore for infrastructure development at the temporary campus, of which Rs 19 crore has already been utilized, the chief minister said and expressed optimism that the campus previously utilized by other institutions, would continue to serve its purpose while the permanent campus for NLU is being set up.The Chief Justice of Meghalaya HC, Justice Sanjib Banerjee, in his address, highlighted the institution’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, its futuristic approach and emphasized that NLU’s distinguishing factor would be its focus on studying cultural and tribal laws.