The Higher Education Review

In 2006, when the National Education Foundation (NEF) Trust, a pioneer Non-Government Organization laid the foundation for the NEF Law College in Guwahati, Assam, the objective was to develop students with a sense of responsibility to serve society in the field of law.

“Law is no longer confined to a traditional paradigm; instead it is slowly revealing itself as an essential medium of change. Now, it is used as a constructive and useful mechanism for the implementation of economic policy. From this point of view, we are striving to aspire and strengthen the foundation of democratic and social values in our young generation,” states Dr. Zakir Hussain, Chairman, NEF Law College.

A premier private law college in the Northeastern part of the country, the NEF Law College is a centre of excellence in legal studies. It is among the first few law colleges to introduce five year integrated B.A., LL.B. course and also the first to introduce BBA., LL.B. and B.COM., LL.B. (5 Year Integrated Course) in the North-Eastern region, apart from LL.B. (Three Years) and LL.M. programs with a host of specializations. “Since its inception, the college has undertaken the task of promoting legal education in this region with an aim of developing efficient legal professionals,” Dr. Ruma Bordoloi, Principal, NEF Law College.

The new notion of law and jurisprudence demands a different attitude to legal studies and research. Just a theoretical knowledge, which is confined to legal texts without interdisciplinary studies and practical exposure, is unwarranted in the present day context. Apart from emphasizing on the academic goals of the students, NEF Law College orients its students through the compulsory Moot Court, individual student mentoring system and by ensuring the participation of students in National and International seminars, conferences and workshops both in and out station. Guest lectures by renowned personalities from the Bar and Bench and capsule courses on the subjects of law with the resource persons of both National and International level are the major highlights of learning at the NEF Law College.

“We have a Legal aid clinic to disseminate practical knowledge to the students. The seminars and workshops are conducted for the students on a weekly basis, which also helps in raising their confidence,” claims Dr. Bordoloi. In order to impart professional skills, the faculty members impart instructions in simulated settings such as Moot Courts, Mock Trials and Drama. Individualized and one to one interaction is encouraged. The faculty members emphasize on ‘interactive learning’ through audio-visual instructions. Students are motivated to take part in curricular and extracurricular activities to bring in an overall development in them. The college has a database of a number of Law Firms, NGOs and Renowned Senior Advocates Chambers with whom the management maintains a good rapport. This leads to their frequent visits to the college, which ends up in inviting the NEF Law College students for internship and placement.

“Some of our students have been undergoing internship in Insurance companies, Indian Oil, Assam Administrative Tribunal, Central Administrative Tribunal, Assam Women’s’ Commission, Human Rights Law Network and in Banking sector,” shared Dr. Bordoloi. Now, the college has successfully completed 10 years with excellent result in university examinations. “Our alumni have excelled in all spheres be it judiciary, academics, litigation or corporate sector,” says Dr. Zakir Hussain. They have always been lending a helping hand in mentoring and nurturing the students of this institution by providing career counselling.

“As and when required, our alumni turn up to boast the confidence of the students, be it in Moot Court or Mock Trials,” opines Dr. Bordoloi. “It is due to the untiring efforts of the faculty members that the college has achieved much recognition in a short span of time,” opines Dr. Zakir Hussain. Now, NEF Law College focuses to fulfil the long-standing need of a ‘Law College of Excellence’ in the Northeast region in uniformity with other reputed national and international law colleges.