Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court Justice Virender Singh on Thursday expressed serious concerns over lack of research facilities in law universities and campuses across country. The Chief Justice also pointed out the shortage of faculties in law universities and said that it was something each and every law campus across the country must address as soon as possible.
“I strongly believe that each law university and campus in the country must have a separate full-fledged research cell of its own. This facility must be in judicial academies also. A good law researcher can become a better judge,” Singh said at a seminar organised by National University of Study and Research in law (NUSRl), Ranchi on Thursday. Justice Virender Singh is also an Ex-Officio Chancellor of NUSRl.
Speaking on the topic of ‘The Future of legal Education in India: Philanthropy, Excellence and Institution Building’, the Chief Justice went upon pointing of strengths and weaknesses of study of law in India and the way campuses were dealing with emerging problems. In the programme, which was also attended by Vice Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University (Haryana) Dr. C. Rajkumar as a keynote speaker, the Chief Justice expressed the pleasure of having young generation keen about study of law.
“But at the same time, we in India are lagging behind in terms of supportive infrastructure and other facilities,” he said. The Chief Justice also tossed a question calling it one of the most relevant ones in today’s times. He wanted all to think about law campuses’ ability to fulfill the requirement of social justice and equality. “Moreover, reforms in legal education in terms of world class infrastructure, academics and research facilities are the need of the hour, which everyone needs to think about,” Singh said.
As a Chancellor of NUSRl, Singh expressed his immense contentment on the way University was heading as far as quality education and infrastructure was concerned. “I must say that Vice Chancellor of the NUSRl, Prof BC Nirmal, has been trying his best to provide every possible facility to the campus, and I believe under his guidance, this campus has all the possibilities to become one of the finest law universities and research centres in India,” Singh said.
In his keynote address, Dr. C Rajkumar focused on the relevance and importance of the topic. He said that the legal education of India needed to be directed toward philanthropy, which could be attained only through excellence. He was also among those who expressed concerns over lack of faculties in law universities.
Judge of Jharkhand High Court Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh focused upon importance of respect that every student must have for teachers. “I come from a tradition of disciples and masters, where the day of students started with touching feet of teachers. I believe that this tradition, if carried forward, can help make the idea of philanthropy come true,” said Singh. At the same time, Nirmal focused on requirement of bridging gap between theory and practical in law studies.