NLUO: An Introduction
The National Law University Odisha (NLUO) was established in the year 2009 under The National Law University Orissa Act, 2008 (Act 4 of 2008) passed by the Odisha State Legislature and commenced its academic activities in the academic year 2009-10.
The University has received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956, and has been receiving grants under the XIIth Plan. The degrees offered are recognised by the Bar Council of India. It is also an associate member of the UGC-INFLIBNET, and a participant in the National Knowledge Network under the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication, Government of India.
History and background
In the early 1970s, Legal Education Committee of Bar Council of India proposed establishment of a national institute of excellence to promote legal research and scholarship. After 13 formative years, the first National Law School was set up in Bangalore which inspired a paradigm shift in the way legal education was imparted in the country. With unprecedented curriculum and methodology, it paved way for newer national law schools to flourish.
Despite the apparent spectacular success of the national law school model, in terms of producing good transactional lawyers, it was felt that they failed at some fundamental objectives of legal education. Such failure at the key objective of the institutions to enrich the Bench and the Bar, followed by factors like non-revision of curriculum, myopic focus on humanities, managerial science and naturals sciences and failure to motivate students to join litigation as a profession, prompted the establishment of a new national law school in Odisha. NLUO was established with an objective of providing socially relevant education. It is in view of these specific objectives, that the academic programme and curriculum at NLUO is designed.
About NLUO
Within a short span of time, NLUO has made its mark as a University engaged in imparting socially relevant education. NLUO is ideally placed to learn from other law schools both in terms of their strengths and drawbacks. Drawing from these experiences, it has embarked upon a well-structured course of action to achieve levels of excellence.
Students at NLUO are trained by a group of experienced, dynamic, young and most significantly committed teachers. The curriculum development and framing process offers academic flexibility and promotes an environment which allows exchange of intellectual thought process.
The amicable environment hones not just the students’ intelligence, but also their emotional quotient. The level of academic rigour has ensured that our most of our alumni excel in their profession. Beyond academics, NLUO promotes leadership skills and the wholesome life experience of our students by encouraging them to take part in various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities like literary, debating, cultural, entrepreneurial and recreational activities.
In its attempt to make the learning process contemporary and relevant, every stakeholder is encouraged to make optimum use of technology. Students are prompted to think out of the box and there exists a dedicated team of students and faculties to discuss and nurture start-up and other entrepreneurial ideas.
About our Logo
NLUO’s logo is in the form of an escutcheon (heraldic shield) divided into four quarters, coloured blue and white alternately. The top left quarter has a balance representing the scales of justice, while the top right quarter has a gavel representing the might of the judiciary. Below these, runs a scroll bearing the inscription ‘National Law University Odisha’ and a representation of the Indian Constitution below that. Superimposed on the centre of the shield, centring on the Fess Point, is a Chakra or wheel from the Sun Temple at Konark, which represents the State of Odisha.
The motto inscribed below the logo is ‘satye sthito dharmah’ or ‘Law locates in the truth’. This has been sourced from Kautilya’s Arthashastra, one of ancient India’s great legal texts. This precept has been chosen owing to its relevance today as much as in Kautilya’s times.
Vision and Mission
National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack was established by Act 4 of 2008 by the Odisha State Legislature and started imparting education in Law from the Academic Year 2009-10. NLUO was established keeping in mind a clearly enunciated vision. The Preamble to the Act itself outlines the University’s long-term goals, which include:
- Advancement of learning, teaching, research, diffusion of knowledge in the field of law;
- Catering to the needs of society by developing the professional skills of those intending to take up the professions of advocacy, judicial services, legal services, and so on.
- Taking inspiration from this, the University identifies and pledges adherence to the following objectives:
- To design and conduct regular courses of learning for dissemination of knowledge, advanced learning in legal subjects and other related disciplines with a view to meaningfully integrate, support and enhance professional knowledge of law and so also to appreciate the role of rule of law in national growth and development;
- To develop in the students and scholars social and scientific research skills for enhancing a sense of responsibility to serve society as committed advocates and also develop skills relating to the profession of law;
- To advance the professional education in convergence with knowledge of other related disciplines so as to provide adequate orientation and training including facilities of continuing education to law teachers, judicial officers, advocates and other persons in the civil society engaged or interested in legal field involved in the administration of justice;
- To organize lecturers, seminars, symposia and conferences, to promote legal knowledge, and to transform law and legal processes into efficient instruments of social development;
- To hold examinations and confer degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions; and
- To undertake all such things as are incidental, necessary or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the objects of the University, as an institution of higher learning and research and an institution of excellence.
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