UPES facilitates learning beyond the classroom

Pre-Semester Learning program at UPES School of Law aims at nurturing students with the desired knowledge and powerful perspectives on the broad trends in the legal profession

COVID-19 and the ensuing havoc caused by this worldwide pandemic has disrupted the world of academics, forcing educational institutions to come up with new ways to ensure continued learning. UPES has managed to ride the tide due to its tech-led pedagogy, digitized curriculum, online examination system, and well-trained faculty adept at teaching in virtual classrooms.

UPES School of Law organised a successful five-day Pre-Semester Learning program from September 14 to September 18 for its first-year students. It was part of the Immersive Academic Learning Framework devised for the batch of freshers – the Resilient Class of 2020.

Throwing light on the relevance of PSL program for law students, Dr Vijay Kumar Singh, Dean, School of Law, says, “The idea of PSL was to welcome the first year students  to the ‘UPES way of life’ and acclimatise them to online teaching and learning until they join us formally at our beautiful campus in Dehradun.”

“PSL encompassed meticulously-planned activities and interactions with highly experienced legal experts and practitioners to provide students with insights on the nature and practical significance of the legal framework governing our country,” he adds.

Dr Shilpika Pandey, Coordinator, LLM PSL program, emphasizes that PSL program at UPES has provided students a great launch pad for their bright future in law. “The PSL module offers an inspiring start to the academic journey of students,” she says.

In Sandesh, a special interactive series, students had stimulating conversations with legal experts such as Hon’ble Justice Swatanter Kumar, Former Judge Supreme Court of India, Ms Flavia Agnes, a well-known women’s rights lawyer, Mr Dhanendra Kumar, the first chairperson of the National Competition Commission of India, and Mr Manas Kumar Chaudhuri, a pioneer in Antitrust and Competition Law.

“We included activities focusing on critical thinking and analytical skills of students  — Learn to Unlearn, Law on Reels, which looks at pop culture from the lens of constitutional morality. Students also had a great time in sessions such as Meet the Majors, Speed-Friending With Tea and a Digital Cultural Evening on the final day,” she says.

Kshitij Singh, a first year BBA LLB student at UPES, School of Law, shares his musings on PSL 2020, “Everything unfolded as a pleasant surprise; I didn’t expect my PSL to be so much fun and informative at the same time. As the sessions went by, my interactions with everyone about legal life and participation in various activities like ‘Digitalise your Purpose’ and ‘Meet the Majors’ helped me to gain a clear picture of law as profession and what it would  take to make a mark here.”

“Not being able to start ‘regular college’ is something that pains all of us,”, says Shreya Majumdar,  another first-year BBA LLB student. “However, the PSL sessions indubitably came as a breather. Sessions like ‘Meet the Mentors’ (virtually) and ‘Speed Friending with Tea’ helped us in connecting with each other. I am grateful for the enlightenment bestowed upon us by the esteemed panelists. I look forward to more of these insightful interactions.” she adds cheerfully.

Prof Ruby Yadav, Coordinator, PSL LLB programs, elaborates on the purpose and novelty of the PSL program. “Teaching-learning process should focus on developing an individual’s capabilities. We designed PSL 2020 aiming to unleash the potential of students and give them the best of the exposure from the very start,” she explains.

“The role of a law professional is to work for the larger good of the society. That’s why the PSL curriculum not only aimed to immerse students in academics, but also to inculcate purposeful perspectives on relevance of values and culture in the discipline of law.It has been a brilliant start, so far, and we look forward to an exciting journey ahead,” she signs off.