An Interview with Dr. Ankit Awasthi [Asst. Prof. of Law at HNLU, Raipur]

Dr. Ankit Awasthi is currently Assistant Professor of Law at Hidayatullah National Law University, Atal Nagar, Raipur. He is also Faculty Coordinator of Recruitment and Internship Coordination Committee. He is also member of Digital@Hnlu team. He teaches International Trade Law, Legal Method, Media & Law and Professional Ethics at undergraduate level and General Principles of Corporate Law at postgraduate level. His area of research includes Institutional Reforms in the field of Corporate Governance. Mr. Awasthi is having more than 7 years of teaching and research experience.

Before joining Hidayatullah National Law University, Mr. Awasthi has also worked in Amity University, Lucknow campus as a Lecturer. He was Law Intern under Hon’ble Mr. Justice J. M. Panchal, Judge, Supreme Court of India. He also interned in Indian Oil Corporation Limited and submitted project report on “Nature and Scope of Public Corporation and Control over Its Power”. He has publications in leading law journals and also contributed chapters for books to his credit specifically in the areas of Corporate Laws, socio-legal and contemporary issues. He also published articles in national newspapers like the Hitavada and the Central Chronicle to name a few. He is currently Faculty Co-ordinator of HNLU Student Bar Journal and editor in other journals. He has also presented papers and participated in several International and National Conferences/Seminars and workshops.

1. Hello Sir, Please Tell Us Something About Yourself to Our Readers.

Before I introduce myself, I would like to thank you and team Law Corner for this wonderful opportunity. I am Dr. Ankit Awasthi and I am an Assistant Professor of Law at Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur. I’m also in-charge of Recruitment and Internship Coordination Committee. Before joining HNLU, Raipur I worked in Amity University, Lucknow Campus as a Lecturer. I have been a Law Intern under Hon’ble Mr. Justice J. M. Panchal, Judge, Supreme Court of India and also interned in Indian Oil Corporation Limited.

2. What Inspired You to Choose Law as Your Career?

Law and its scope inspired me to choose Law as my Career. I mean to say law as a subject and infinite opportunities in the field of law inspired me to study and make career in this field.

3. Tell Us a bit About Your Law School Journey and Experience.

I did my Bachelors from Lucknow University and completed my Masters and Doctorate from Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur. In the year 2010, I secured AIR 130 in PG CLAT and joined HNLU. I did my Masters in Corporate Laws and completed Ph.D. in the field of Corporate Governance. It has been nice learning experience in both universities which provided me diversified exposure and experience.

4. Did You Pursue Any Extracurricular Activities Such as Mooting, Debate, Seminar, Online courses, Publication and Sports? How Did This Contribute to Your Holistic Development? Do You Think Such Activities Are Important in Law Student’s Life?

Yes, I did pursue extracurricular activities specially seminars and conferences. Actually for overall development of human personality these activities are indispensible. Extracurricular Activities help to improve various skills like presentation, team work and leadership quality etc. These activities are equally important in a Law student’s life. However, I would like to say that there must be a balance between curricular and co-curricular Activities.

5. Describe your teaching style. How do you define good teaching?

I usually prefer lecture mode of teaching style and Socratic mode of teaching pedagogy. However, ultimately it depends on subject and topic needed to be uncovered in a given span of time and target audience as well. Good teaching should include dissemination of conceptual and fundamental information on the subject along with important points and parallel to the same there must be scope for discussion and participation from both ends.

6. Sir, you completed various Certificate courses like Certificate course on Engaging in Persuasive and Credible Communication from National University of Singapore and Certificate course on global diplomacy from University of London etc. Please tell us about these courses and what are the advantages?

I have completed these courses through Coursera which is a massive open online course provider. These courses are well structured and provided me an opportunity to learn and improve more as a legal professional.

7. Do You Feel That There Are Differences Between Students Of ‘Elite’ Law Schools and Students from Other Law Colleges and Traditional Universities?

No, I don’t feel that there are Differences between Students of ‘Elite’ Law Schools and Students from Other Law Colleges and Traditional Universities. In fact, I don’t agree with this terminology of elite and non-elite in any field especially in education sector. I believe if equal opportunities and resources provided then anyone can perform well and do good in their career and life.

8. Do you think students should behave professors like friends, or is it necessary to maintain a disciplined environment to create a good classroom environment?

I would rather say that relation must be friendly than being a friend.

9. The Best Experience and Success Habit You Would Like to Share with Law Students to Encourage Them.

Commitment, Consistency and Self-competitive approach have been my Success Habit as well as my best experience everywhere. And these qualities have yielded multiple learning and success opportunities.

10. Lastly, What Would Be Your Message to People Who Want to Take Up A Career in Teaching?

I am thankful to Sonam Hassim for connecting me with such a wide base of readers. So, through this platform I would like place on record my best wishes to all Who Want to Take Up a Career in Teaching. I would like to say that, it is needed to identify an area of interest and try to develop the same. Along with it, there should be a balance between teaching and research as it will help to be a successful teacher in the field of law.

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