Interview by Pratyasha

ILNU

Prof. Purvi Anant Anand Pokhariyal is currently designated as the Director of the Institute of Law, Nirma University. Her educational qualifications include B.Sc, LL.B (Hons), LL.M and Ph.D. She has 19 years of experience in the education industry and has delivered various expert talks and lectures. She is currently guiding 3 Ph.D. students as well. Prof. Purvi has also published a number of articles and authored a chapter namely Reforms in Legal Education and Roadmap for Institutional Approach to World Class Legal Education in India.

In an exclusive interview with Collegedunia.com, she shares her valuable view on education industry and its changing scenario. 

Experience in Education Industry

I have been associated with the Institute of Law, Nirma University for the last 12 years since its inception and before that, I was at the Faculty of Law, M.S. University, Baroda. I started my academic journey in a small college at Bharuch and Surat. I am grateful to my professors for infusing the academic spirit during my college days.

I feel education industry is the best industry as being a part of this community we always feel a sense of satisfaction. It is so, because, we are contributing to shaping the future of a group of individuals who ultimately contribute to building a better society. 

Team-centric leadership style

Well, you may say, as a leader, I am someone who is passionate to explore innovative ways of students’ engagement. I am constantly thinking about how to make my experience enriching as well as enjoyable. As a leader, I believe in my team more than anything else. Having completed almost two decades in the academic field, I am still feeling that every day is a new day and each day brings new hopes, new energy, and new ideas.

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Challenges faced as a Director

The biggest challenge is to take all of your faculty and students to work with an equal amount of passion and zeal. Making students believe in ethics and values and developing the right kind of attitude amongst the students for the profession at times become challenging tasks.

Justice Education- Plans for the Institute

Well, the vision of Nirma Law School is to be the best law school in terms of teaching, learning, and scholarship through constant innovation, creativity, and research. We believe that law schools have a larger role to play in realizing the constitutional goal of Access of Justice and promotion of Rule. 

We are also continuously working on internationalization, new pedagogical tools, and innovative courses to make education experience globally competitive and locally relevant. The University is also trying hard through various measures to provide the students with diverse career options.

Building a positive culture

The batch is divided into numerous sections which help the students to be interactive. Every student gets a chance to outshine and polish his/her abilities. Our Institute offers numerous activities related to legal, academic, non-academics fields. 

We have a Nirma Institute of Law Student Activity Association which comprises of 23 clubs and committees for co-curricular, extra-curricular and cultural activities, e.g. Student Welfare board, Moot Court Committee, Debate Committee, Media Committee, Legal Aid Committee, Sports Committee and so on. 

Placement Opportunities at the Institute of Law

Students, sometimes, are unable to take a call during campus placement offers due to lack of knowledge and experience. Many of them aspire to join the litigation and pursue judiciary and very few pursue higher studies abroad. 

The focus, here at Law Institute, is different than that of the management world. We have a Campus Recruitment Cell which takes care of the placement of the students. However, the scenario in this regard is improving every year. Our students have been successfully placed in top law firms, companies, and NGOs in the last few years.

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Relationship with the students

As a dean, I am always available for the students. They can meet me in my cabin any time to discuss any of their grievances. I usually organize meetings with the Class Representatives and Batch Representatives on a regular basis to avoid any communication gap. 

Role as a Director of an educational institute

The best part of my position is that you can lead, mold and shape the organization, and set up a work culture as per your vision. You are free to bring innovation in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and the student’s engagement. This requires a huge amount of devotion and hard work so at times your family becomes your second priority. 

Suggestions to Millennials

My message to young law students and teachers is to be critical and creative in whatever they choose to do. Students must be humble and grateful towards their future choices. In today’s competitive world, it is necessary to use their creative power to bring change in the world.