Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma on July 8 inaugurated the National Law University (NLU) at its temporary campus located in Mayurbhanj complex in Shillong.
Meghalaya high court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, education minister Rakkam A Sangma and vice chancellor of the university Indrajit Dube were present at the inauguration.
Sangma said the university would stand out as it’s offering courses in legal studies together with data science and business management.
“NLU would foster innovation, research, and critical thinking through its unique courses like business administration, policy research, data sciences combined with law,” the chief minister said.
Stressing the importance of documenting and codifying customary and tribal laws, Sangma said, his vision for NLU is to become a centre of excellence for research on customary laws and practices in the entire region.
He also emphasised the importance of incorporating smart technology into school because it allows connectivity with the global society and improves students’ learning experiences.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the state’s legal system over the past 50 years due to the lack of proper institutions for training, exposure, and knowledge, he expressed confidence that NLU would be able to address these challenges.
Meghalaya high court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said the institution’s distinguishing factor would be its focus on studying cultural and tribal laws, with the ultimate goal of codifying and comprehending their beauty and societal significance.
To develop the university the state government has allocated Rs 25 crore for infrastructure development, out of which Rs 19 crore has already been utilized. The admission process for this academic session has been completed.
Surrounded by pine trees and lush green lawns with mountains in the backdrop, the institute functions from the Mayurbhanj Complex – the erstwhile summer palace of the kings of Mayurbhanj, Orissa.
