An Interview with Dr. Manvendra Singh (Assistant Professor, Sharda University, Greater Noida)

Dr. Manvendra Singh is an academician and legal scholar. He has completed his graduation, Post Graduation and Doctorate in Law from A.M.U. Aligarh. He is presently working as Assistant Professor (Law) at Sharda University, Greater Noida and having experience of more than seven years. Besides teaching and research works in the field of law, he has also authored several papers and chapters in national and international books and journals.

Dr. Manvendra Singh also the recipient of the prestigious Legal Aid Award, Consumer Awareness Award and Governor Award in Scout and Guide.

1. Hello Sir, please tell us something about yourself to our readers.

I am Dr. Manvendra Singh an academician by profession. I have teaching and research experience of seven years. I have completed my graduation, post-graduation and Ph.D from Aligarh Muslim University. I have completed my PhD as well as LL.M under the supervision of Prof. Zaheeruddin, Chairman Faculty of Law & Pro Vice-Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University.

Presently I am working at Sharda University, Greater Noida before that I was part of Jagannath Institute of Management Studies Technical Campus, School of Law Greater Noida as Asst. Professor (Law).

I also worked as an Asst. Professor (Law) in GALGOTIAS UNIVERSITY. I have also taught in a leading CLAT Coaching Paathshala Classes to all young aspiring law students. My areas of specializations are Constitutional Law, Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Criminal Law.

2. What inspired you to choose law as your career?

I was sure that I always wanted to do law. The power what the knowledge of law gives to an ordinary citizen always fascinated me and the interest grew along with time. I have been associated with the Legal Aid Society from my university days as it helped to spread awareness about the basic fundamental rights to the poor, neglected section of the society and even today as a teacher, I continue to associate myself with such society because awareness is must to prevent harassment and wake up others and this is what really inspired me.

3. You completed your B.A L.L.B, L.LM and PhD from Aligarh Muslim University. Tell us something about your law school journey.

Well! Aligarh Muslim University is my home. Whatever I achieved, whatever I am is because of this remarkable University. I, over the period of time the relationship with the people here in the university has only become stronger and stronger. The wonderful professors, the students, seniors and juniors all make you feel like a part of the family. I can say that I had most wonderful time all these years here in AMU.

During my undergraduate, I was indulging in all sorts of activates from organizing to participating. However, after the post-graduation most of the focus was shifted towards researching which gradually increased during the time of my research.

4. Did you pursue any extracurricular activities such as mooring debate, seminar, online courses, publication and sports? How did this contributed to your holistic development? Do you think such activities are important in law student’s life?

Yes. Extracurricular activities are very important and as a student help to shape the ability to understand and reason. I myself as a law student used to indulge in writing various research papers. I also participated in various debates, attended various seminars. I was always in some way or the other involved in organizing various events for our college. This is what makes college days fun as well. Interacting with students from each corner of the country, having these vast experiences.

5. What kind of internship you did while you were a student? Any remarkable experience during your internship that shaped your career choices later?

Oh! I loved the opportunity of interning. Infect, I never wasted any break to intern. I interned with Non-Profit Organization like PUCL, in the district courts, along with AORs and other well-reputed lawyers. I also interned with Law Firms. However, I always wanted to do something in academics. Therefore, after BALLB, I moved along with LLM and later completed my PhD.

6. If you could list out 5 activities that are on a scale of priority should be at a top in any law student school life. What would be those?

First of all, I would advise all the young law students to embrace the journey of this wonderful law school and find the right node which resonates with their dreams.

The next thing I would like to advise is always to read the story behind any law. How it came into force. What kind of arguments was in favor and also against when the Act was tabled in Parliament.

Read the fascinating parliamentary debates. And in no time you’ll have a complete grasp of the law along with all the fascinating facts.

Naturally, the next thing with this newly found facts would be to put it in use. And how can one do that. By indulging in some sort of activity surrounded what you have learnt. Be it researches paper or a debate or a moot, but put it to use and it will be permanent.

The best thing about the five-year law course is that it gives you immense opportunity to explore options by participating in the various competitions organized nationally and internationally which really helps to sort out your options for future. So make use of these opportunities.

And lastly, also maintain a subtle academic record because marks also play in important role. Books are your best friends. Reading will teach you the most. So never give up on that.

7. When would you that an academician is successful?

Inquisitive is one thing that leads every research scholar to its path and when this nature is imbibed in you, nobody can stop you from getting a recognition of good academician. An academician is only successful when he has inquisitive nature and he loves researching to its core. In today’s era when everyone is running after easy available options, it obviously feels great when you contribute your own research to an outside world to read it and to add on to the exiting frame of works.

8. Do you feel that there are differences between students of ‘elite’ law school and other law colleges and traditional universities?

No. I don’t think there is any difference essentially. If a student is determined enough, I guess, and then he can achieve whatever he is determined about. Today, every law school provides enough opportunity and means to push students and explore and shape their abilities. Today Law school across the country have various societies like ADR/Mediations cells, Training and Placement Cells, Student Research cells, etc. to ensure maximum exposure and enhancement of skills of the student. So if a student is determined enough, I think he can achieve anything which he/she aspires for.

9. Tell us about your teaching methodology. Do you encourage students to take notes or do you engage your students in active class participation?

For a teacher both are equally important to encourage students to take up notes as well as engage the students in active class participation so as to have deeper understanding of the topic which is being covered in the class. A teacher should always try to provide opportunities for students to produce relatively permanent change through engagement in experiences through the application of knowledge and experiences to facilitate greater learning.

A teacher should always inculcate different teaching aids and methods to make learning more focused and student centric. Teaching according to me is a much wider concept and only a dedicated person can follow this profession of teaching as said by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Sir,

“Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.”

10. The best experience and success habit that you would like to share with law students to encourage

The most important thing for a law student is to read. Reading is the best and most constructive tool as it enhances your perspective, widens your vision and helps you understand. A law student should always be aware with the current general scenarios. Being a law student brings a responsibility along with it which is to help the society and uplift it. So also embrace the responsibility along with various perks of being a law student.

11. Lastly, what would be your message to people who wants to take up a career in teaching?

As mentioned by me earlier teaching profession is something based upon a systematic body of knowledge that has been derived from different spheres of life and it is influenced by society. It is an art as well as science. So to all those who are thinking to take this up as a profession should gear up for an adventurous journey because you get to meet students of all type with their individualistic learning under one roof and you get the chance to shape their learning. It is a huge responsibility but it is fun too because for a teacher also, it is hood learning experience with everyday challenges being thrown by the students. One should be strong headed with lots of compassion and perseverance to choose teaching as a career. Well it will never disappoint you, once you have made up your mind with its capacity to amaze you.

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