The next chapter begins for NUS Law’s Master of Laws and Juris Doctor graduates

For the graduating cohort of NUS Law’s Master of Laws (LLM) and Juris Doctor (JD) programmes, the buzz in the air was unmistakable. This was the night of 12 April 2024, when faculty members gathered with the postgraduate students for a celebratory farewell dinner. The close bonds forged during their year/s of study were evident, as professors and students left the seminar rooms behind and let their hair down amid an environment of cheer and conviviality.

Around 80 students from the LLM and JD programmes attended the dinner held at NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, together with faculty members including Associate Professor Arif Jamal, Vice Dean of Graduate Studies; Professor Tjio Hans, Director, LLM (General); Associate Professor Gary Bell and Associate Professor Vincent-Joël Proulx, Co-Directors, LLM (International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution); Associate Professor Jean Ho, Director, JD Programme; and Senior Lecturer Justin Tan, Associate Dean of Student Affairs. A total of 168 students are expected to graduate from both the LLM and JD programmes this year.

For Anastasiia Aleksandrova, a Russia-qualified lawyer who will graduate with an LLM in International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (IADR), the occasion was a rare opportunity to reunite with peers who are usually tied up due to busy schedules, and served as a reminder of the importance of personal connections.

Indeed, it was the people that made all the difference during her time here. Anastasiia said: “Almost every class I attended was taught by professors who are regarded as legends in their field. My classmates, most of whom have had years of experience, made my journey enriching as well. Whether it was engaging in discussions, sharing experiences or brainstorming potential research projects, the professors and classmates were ready to engage. Being surrounded by people who share your passion brings a sense of inspiration for the future in our spheres of interest.”

JD graduate Chloe Ang, who has a joint bachelor’s in Music and English, could not agree more. “What made my time here special was the friends I made! On Christmas Eve in 2022, my classmate got married, so a few of us flew to Kuala Lumpur to attend her wedding, and I got to play the piano for the march-in procession.”

Looking back, Anastasiia shared that she came to Singapore a year ago, on the back of NUS Law’s reputation as being among the top choices for an LLM programme in international arbitration. She said: “The programme has a wide range of electives, including options outside the arbitration field, making it exceptionally versatile and covering all my fields of interest. Additionally, I have been eager to gain insight into Asia, and NUS Law is the best in this region.”

As she looks forward to receiving her LLM qualification at the formal Commencement ceremony in July, she feels the same sense of accomplishment as the rest of the soon-to-be newly minted law graduates. She said: “I am excited about exploring opportunities that lie ahead after graduation. I am now aware of the wide range of paths available in my passion area: international arbitration, investments, and trade deals. The LLM grants an advantage with job opportunities. However, personally the degree was about receiving skills and knowledge. I have set a goal to integrate practical experience with academia. I am actively working towards this goal through research projects and practical applications of my knowledge.”

As for Chloe, who chose NUS Law for the academic rigour of its courses, her sights are set on preparing for Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations and embarking on a training contract with a law firm, but not before a short travel break to rest and recharge for the next chapter of her life.

Common among the students present was a sense of gratitude to the faculty for their support and encouragement. As for the faculty, there was a sense of pride at nurturing a new crop of post-graduate students.

When asked for his thoughts, Associate Professor Arif Jamal said: “It is always a moving experience to be around about-to-be new graduates. One hopes that their experience at NUS Law was intellectually rigorous and satisfying, socially expanding, and culturally enriching. Moreover, there is also a palpable feeling of optimism that the new graduates will be able to go forward and, in their own ways, address salient challenges of our times, whether these be about climate and the environment, global cooperation and security, encountering emerging technologies, or health and well-being.”

He added: “Law will necessarily be engaged with all of these issues, as well as different ones, and we hope our new graduates will be able to make meaningful contributions in these and other fields.”