“Theory And Practical Exposure Require Synchronisation”: Dr. Rashmi Salpekar, Dean, Vivekananda School of Law, VIPS

What motivated you to pursue academics in law? How has your journey been?

Human beings are not immortal. It is their work and contributions to the society that make us immortalise them. According to me, teaching profession is one of those rare professions in which one can be immortal through her work and contribution. May be that’s why we owe teachers or gurus the most. After our parents, we worship our teachers.

In academics, one needs make an everlasting impact. A teacher cannot win the attention of students and make them understand the content in class just because the topic has merit. Students appreciate the importance of a given topic when they have a curiosity for it. The contents that make up the topic and the body language of the presenter aid in developing curiosity amongst students.  I did litigation, worked at an MNC, then served a state human rights commission too. After getting fellowship from ICSSR for my PhD and completing it at a very young age, I chose academics so that I could keep progress of the students ahead of my own progress. Students are evaluated at the end of the semester based on the exams. However, a teacher is evaluated every day in the class. This evaluation makes teaching a challenging job.

I am fortunate that my institute, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies-TC (VIPS-TC), Delhi gave me a major break in academics and gave me the opportunity to teach a diverse group of students in a conducive academic atmosphere. S. C. Vats, an educationist and philanthropist, is the founder Chairman of the VIPS who always encourages us to excel in all aspects. Suneet Vats, Vice-Chairman supports and guides us consistently. Chairperson T. V. Subba Rao (former Professor NLSIU, Bengaluru) helps us in this academic journey and ensures that we, the VIPS-TC faculty and the staff, are putting in our best efforts for the all-round development of law students. As a teacher, I have taught nearly almost all students at VIPS, since joining. As a Dean, I am connected with almost all the law students of VIPS.

I feel proud and encouraged whenever alumni visit or contact me as a legal professional, and share their experiences, efforts and success. VIPS has produced many judicial officers, AoRs, JAGs, General Counsels, law firm partners/owners, etc. VIPS Law School has secured many gold medals in academics, as also in moots, debates etc. 

According to me a law teacher needs to be a researcher as well. Therefore, I conduct research too. For example, I have done empirical research projects. I met more than 1000 tribals residing in tribal villages, recently, along with my team in a project sponsored by NHRC as Principal Investigator. Before that, I and my team met farmers (Project Director, sponsored by ICSSR) and nearly 500 refugees (as a researcher) for empirical research.

What innovations and reforms are required in legal education to make students future-ready?

Lots of efforts are going on to make students future-ready.  The Bar Council of India (BCI), and other relevant stakeholders are working on the reforms in legal education. Recently, one of such notifications was issued on May 20, 2024 by the BCI and it called for implementation of various reforms. 

At Law School of VIPS, we are conducting innumerable activities for students to polish their soft skills in addition to regular theory classes. We are using more than a dozen types of teaching pedagogies suitable to the subjects at our institute. The library is updated with a variety of books and literature which includes not only the latest books, journals and provides online resources, but also has reading materials on ancient Indian literature like Vedas, Upanishads. VIPS also invites legal luminaries regularly to interact with students.

One should note that “Change is the only constant thing in the world”. Hence, there is a consistent and continuous need to improve legal education. The BNS, BNSS and BSA are good examples of how law has evolved. This implies that theory and practical exposure require more synchronisation. The course curriculum should give opportunity to students to have enough exposure. Few of our students have participated in national and international moot court competitions. They have visited foreign countries for conferences, international moot court competitions etc. Internship in a form of community service is also required in addition to internships at courts, chambers, firms, industries etc. Students should have the exposure of ground realities. For example, at VIPS, we encourage students to visit police stations and jails. We encourage students to work in empirical research projects, visit various libraries, etc. The interface between society and law students need to be enhanced as law students should be able to serve the society in future.

Our law programme is a five-year degree programme. Therefore, it follows naturally that the course curriculum should make all students responsible, knowledgeable, skilled and confident legal professionals.

Is GenAI a threat to academic writing and integrity? What are your observations? What are the ethical concerns that it raises?

According to me, GenAI is not a threat to academic writing and integrity. It is a new phase of development. Thus, no one should isolate themselves from this development. I see academic writing on any topic is one of the primary steps of various policies. Academic writings act as a mirror for diverse issues. Thus, GenAI can assist in academic endeavours, but it is not expected to compromise on integrity. GenAI is expected to make academic writing more analytical and data-driven in nature. Thus, policy makers can also take note of academic writings. And the value of academic writings will be more due to GenAI.

What is your one piece of advice for students stepping into the legal institutes this year and for lawyers who are entering the profession?

Students need to imbibe three characteristics – “Tejaswita, Tapaswita and Tatparta”. Students should be ready for the process of learning. Law is inherently interdisciplinary in nature. Thus, a student starting her/his legal studies should start taking interest in each and every thing, from past to present, from national to international, and from known to unknown. 
My advice to students who are joining the legal profession is - give respect to the legal profession. Enhance the value and dignity of the legal profession by your contribution. Be bold, determined, firm but always humble. 

In the ever-evolving legal landscape, it is quite a challenge to keep pace with the legal developments for students and educators alike. In these circumstances, what is your vision for training and nurturing the legal talent? And how can our law firms and practitioners contribute to this effort?

Today’s youth is very curious and inquisitive in nature. Knowing legal developments is convenient in today’s information technology era. Students keep themselves updated in most of the cases. Thereby all have information about “what”. But the question of “why it is happening” is equally important. It is the responsibility of the educators to make youngsters think critically about “why”.

It is a shared responsibility of all to prepare students. The law firms and all legal practitioners should come forward to train the legal minds by sharing their knowledge and experiences. Suggestions from all stakeholders are always welcome.