The University of Makeni Law Department is demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence and student success with its upcoming curriculum review and faculty policy update. Taking place from May 31st to June 1st, 2024, at the Yoni Campus, this retreat signals a proactive approach to ensuring the LLB (Hons) degree remains relevant and prepares students for the dynamic legal field.
Why is this important?
Curriculum reviews are essential for maintaining the quality and relevance of academic programs. They allow institutions to:
- Adapt to evolving legal practices and developments: The legal landscape is constantly changing. By updating the curriculum, the Law Department can ensure students are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.
- Enhance practical skills training: Beyond theoretical knowledge, the Law Department aims to equip students with practical skills essential for the legal profession. This includes areas like legal research, writing, advocacy, and negotiation.
- Maintain alignment with industry standards and accreditation: Regular curriculum review ensures the program meets the standards set by regulatory bodies and accreditation agencies. This bolsters the credibility of the LLB (Hons) degree.
- Foster diversity and inclusion: The review process provides an opportunity to evaluate the curriculum’s inclusivity and ensure it reflects the diverse legal profession.
- Incorporate interdisciplinary perspectives: By bringing in perspectives from other disciplines, the Law Department can provide students with a well-rounded legal education that equips them to navigate complex legal issues.
The review retreat will see the participation of a majority of the Law Department’s lecturers. They will delve into a range of objectives for the LLB program, including:
- Updating course content: This includes incorporating recent legislation, case law, and legal developments.
- Integrating practical skills training: This may involve introducing new courses or incorporating practical exercises into existing modules.
- Ensuring alignment with standards: The review will evaluate the program’s compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
- Enhancing diversity and inclusion: The curriculum will be assessed for its inclusivity, and potential areas for improvement will be explored.
- Incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives: The review will consider incorporating perspectives from other disciplines to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the law.
- Addressing feedback: Input from students, alumni, employers, and stakeholders will be considered to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of the legal community.
- Building stronger links with the legal community: The review may involve exploring new partnerships and collaborations with legal professionals and organizations.
This comprehensive approach to curriculum review and faculty policy update demonstrates the University of Makeni’s dedication to delivering a high-quality legal education. We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of this important initiative.