ksl achievement 2009

• Interaction program with Attorney Mathew K. Handley on Iraq Murder Case
  An interaction program on Iraq murder case was held on 6th Jan, 2009 with the Attorney Mathew K. Handley and students and faculties of KSL. The program aimed in exploring the ideas from the students of law regarding the murder of Nepalese in Iraq in 2004. Attorney Mathew Handley on behalf of US Law firm Cohen Mistein filed the case as Human Trafficking against US military contractor Kellogg Brown and Root Inc. (KBR).
  
• Interaction program on Reform of Security Agencies of Nepal
  KSL organized an interaction program on report submitted by High-Level Taskforce on Modernizing Security Agencies of Nepal on 12th Feb, 2009. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, Coordinator of the Taskforce along with Keshav Baral, Ex-AIGP, Nepal Police; Rohit Thapa, Ex-AIGP, Armed Police Force; Ashok Dev Bhatta, AIG, Nation Investigation Department; Advocate Bhabishwor Gurung ; Advocate Harka Rawal; Advocate Krishna Pd. Aryal and other officials involved in preparing the report addressed the program.
  Presenting the findings of the research report, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula highlighted on the need of establishing independent and accountable security system, formation of separate Security Service Commission and determining the minimum qualification of security officials. Referring to the conventional use of tools and machineries, unscientific training approach and traditional mind-set and attitude among officials, he stated that security system of Nepal has not succeeded in providing adequate and reliable security to the people. He also pointed to the existence of rampant corruption and political interference to the security agencies.
  
• Interaction Programme on Women’s Human Rights
  KSL organized interaction programme among students and faculty on 11th Feb 2009 on the issue “Women’s Human Rights” facilitated by leading expert in Human Rights Law Ms. Gwen Brodsky. Ms. Brodsky made her presentation focusing on the need of protecting human rights of woman to ensure her dignity.
  
• National Workshop on Need of Constitutional Address for the Protection of Intellectual Property in Nepal
  KSL Business Law Centre organized a one-day National Workshop on 26th April 2009 entitled ‘Need of Constitutional Address for the Protection of Intellectual Property in Nepal’ to mark 9th World Intellectual Property Day. The worldwide theme for celebration was ‘Promoting Green Innovation’ this year.
  The objective of the program was to address the issues of creativity and creative heritage as the intellectual property and ensure guarantee of their protection. Indeed, there are mechanisms like patent, trademark, copyright etc. but these mechanisms have failed to incorporate the issues related to individual’s and communities’ peculiar creativity existing throughout Nepal. The program was organized to bring this issue into attention in this transition phase.
  Hon’ble Satya Lal Mool, Member of the Constituent Assembly, was the Chief Guest of the inaugural session, chaired by Asst. Prof. Kumar Ingnam. Coordinator of Business Law Centre Asst. Prof. Raj Kumar Suwal welcomed the guests and participants from different institutions and organizations. He highlighted the objective of the program with a glimpse of existing position of creativity and creative heritage in Nepal. As there is creativity in every individual and creative heritage in every community, the state should take responsibility to protect and recognize the genuine talent, he said.
  Keynote speakers of the programme included Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula; Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak Sangroula; Hon’ble Om Prasad Subedi, Justice, Appellate Court, Pokhara; Adocate Anju Upreti, President of Lawyers for Intellectual Property, and Govinda Subedi, Director, Department of Industry.
  The session was ended with discussion initiated by Asst. Prof. Raj Kumar Suwal about the rational of incorporation of the issue of creativity and creative heritage in the Constitution. The participants from Department of Industry, teaching faculty of different colleges, students from LL.M. and LL.B. and the faculty members of KSL took part in intensive debate over several issues. Participants of the program agreed to the need of constitutional address of the Intellectual Property rights for protection of creativity and creative heritage in Nepal.
  
• Orientation for National Women’s Commission on International and National Law Making, Enforcement and Monitoring Process
  KSL organized two-day orientation program for the National Women’s Commission on 8-9 May, 2009 on International and National Law Making, Enforcement and Monitoring Process (With special reference to the CEDAW). The objectives of the program were to familiarize the international legal terminologies mainly related to treaty and moral and legal obligation of state towards international human rights instruments and provide information on the treaty making process and status of the ratified treaties and general overview on the law making process in Nepal.
  
• Seminar on National Implementation of International Humanitarian Laws in Nepal
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) organized one-day seminar on National Implementation of International Humanitarian Laws (IHL) in Nepal on 19th June, 2009 to collect information and suggestions from government bodies to determine strategies for respect and implementation of the IHL. Participants of the seminar included representatives of the Nepal Army, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare and the Judiciary of Nepal. The programme has been successful to attract attention of the concerned Ministries, Nepal Army and authorities of the judiciary on the application and implementation of the IHL in Nepal.
  The program graced welcome remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula in the opening session chaired by Prof. Madhav Prasad Acharya, Professor In-charge, KSL. Others to speak on the occasion were Brigadier General Nirendra Aryal from Nepal Army and Mr. Andre Paquet, Deputy Head of the ICRC Delegation in Nepal. Mr. Christopher Harland, Regional Legal Adviser for South Asia, ICRC was also present in the opening session.
  The program ended with suggestion to establish effective and independent judicial mechanism and incorporate security bodies like Nepal Police and Armed Police Force also in National Committee on the IHL for the effective implementation of IHL norms and principles in Nepal.
  
• Interaction Programme on Declining Security Situation and Role of Law Students
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) organized one-day interaction program on Security Crisis and Role of Law Students in Nepal on 24th June, 2009 at Kathmandu School of Law. The programme condemned the abduction and subsequent murder of a nineteen-year-old twelfth grader student Ms. Khyati Shrestha.
  Khyati Shrestha was abducted on 5th June, 2009 and brutally murdered the following day. The police have arrested Mr. Biren Shrestha, the man alleged behind the heinous killing and Merina Shakya, an accomplice in Shrestha murder.
  Participants of the programme denounced the abduction and subsequent killing of the college girl, which is the latest in the rising incidences of kidnappings in the country. They pointed out various causes for recurring incidents of this kind due to government negligence, impunity prevailing in Nepal, inefficacy of the crime branch to control organized crimes, government’s failure to maintain law and order situation in the country, etc.
  
• Talk Program on Increasing Security Problems and Impunity and Vice Versa
  KSL organized a Talk Programme on Increasing Security Problems and Impunity and Vice-Versa on 16th July, 2009 at KSL. The programme discussed on the increasing security problems and impunity in Nepal and constructive engagement of civil society to address the problems.
  The program graced the keynote speech of Mr. Richard Bennett, OHCHR- Nepal Representative; Dr. Annemarie Devereux, Legal Adviser, OHCHR; and Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, Executive Director, KSL.
  Addressing the programme as a keynote speaker, Mr. Richard Bennett said that poverty and economic recessions are some of the reasons behind the present security problem in Nepal. He emphasized for the urgent need to address the issue of impunity and security problems as they are serious threat to peace accord. He informed that OHCHR is working without any political bias on these pertinent issues.
  
• Seminar on Reproductive Rights of Women and the Role of Academic Institution
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) organized Seminar on Reproductive Rights of Women and the Role of Academic Institution on July 29, 2009 at KSL. The programme aimed at discussing on the role of academic institution in promotion of reproductive rights of women. The programme was attended by Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak, Ms. Melissa Uprety and Payal Shah from Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), among other members of teaching faculty and students of KSL. Prof. Incharge Madhav Pd. Acharya had chaired the programme.
  Asst. Prof. Binjwala Shrestha; Mr. Babu Kaji Baniya, legal officer, Ministry of Health and Population; Ms. Melissa Upreti and Ms. Payal Shah made their presentation on various issues relating to reproductive rights. A documentary titled “Malai Jeevan Deu (Give Me Life)”, an UNFPA and Safe Motherhood Federation initiative, was shown in the program.
  
• Workshops for Foreign Service Officials on Human Trafficking
  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula and Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak facilitated one-day orientation program with Foreign Service Officials on the theme ‘Strengthening Victim and Witness Protection for Successful Prosecution of Traffickers’ at Kathmandu on 7th and 11th August, 2009 respectively. The orientations mainly focused on the basic concept of human trafficking with reference to “Human Trafficking and Transportation Control Act, 2064”. The discussion was also held on the issue of human trafficking in relation to international law and standards and its application in Nepalese context.
  
• Orientation on Code of Conduct for Legal Aid Lawyer
  Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak led an orientation program on “Code of Conduct for Legal Aid lawyer” organized from 30th July-1st August, 2009 at Chitwan. The program was targeted for lawyers who have been providing free legal aid services to deprived and disadvantaged population in Chitwan district.
  In her presentation, Assoc. Prof. Pathak reviewed the existing legal system, lawyer’s code of conduct, situation and requirement of code of conduct for legal aid lawyer, need of advertisement for creating awareness among the people about the organizations and lawyers providing free legal aid service and paralegal service, etc.
  
• Discussion Program on Judicial System of New Nepal
  KSL organized a discussion program on 25th of August, 2009 at KSL on the approval of some controversial provisions by the Committee on Judicial System of the Constituent Assembly (CA) pertaining to the judicial system of new Nepal. The discussion program was broadcasted by Ujyaalo 90 Network, a broadcasting system of Communication Corner with FM broadcast at 90 MHz at Kathmandu and VSAT audio broadcast on different 45 FM stations in Nepal and South Asia.
  The controversial provisions approved by the CA committee on judicial system include: (1) the appointment of chief justice from outside the career justices, (2) the appointment, transfer and dismissal of judges from the parliament and (3) the final authority of parliament to interpret the constitution and the law.
  The programme unanimously opined for re-appointment of the judges based on their capacity and standards and ended with a five point conclusion over the controversial provisions.
  
• Faculty facilitate training for Law Enforcement Officials
  Assoc. Prof. Prakash K.C. and Asst. Prof. Kapil Aryal facilitated “Three days Training for Law Enforcement Officials on the theme of ‘Trafficked Victim Assistance’ from 27-31st of August, 2009 at Nepalgunj and Dhangadi. The law enforcement officials, including police, court officials and civil society, namely LAAC, Maiti Nepal, Advocacy Forum, and Nepal Bar Association participated in the training session. The programme focused on the issues of protection of victim witness and psycho-social counseling to the trafficked victims. The program was organized by Centre for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRd), a sister organization of KSL.
  
• Interaction Programme on Situation of Legal Aid in Nepal
  KSL organized interaction programme on Situation of Legal Aid in Nepal on 8th November, 2009 at KSL. The programme overviewed on Nepalese labour law including briefing of situation of legal aid in Nepal. Chinese delegates Ms. Yu Hui, and Ms. Wang Fang of Beijing Legal Aid Office for Migrant Workers (BLA); Bjarne Andreasen, International Project Manager, The Danish Institute for Human Rights, and Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak were present in the program.
  The delegates also visited the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) at KSL that has been working since 2007 providing legal aid to vulnerable, disadvantage group of the society. At the occasion, brief interaction with paralegals and interns was made. Prior to this, delegates including Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak also visited Kolkata from 2nd-7th Nov 2009 for a study tour.

• KSL participation in International Youth Leadership Conference
  Saroj Raj Regmi, student of LL.M., participated in the 17th International Youth Leadership Conference organized by Civic Concepts International (CCI) in Prague, Czech Republic from 4th January to 9th January, 2009. The conference was truly an academic forum, providing every student with One Third Semester Diploma Credit recognized by Anglo American University in Czech Republic. The main theme of conference was cross cultural exchange of the world’s young students in a common platform.
  
• Participation on first Asian Legal Information Institute Conference
  Executive Director of KSL Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula attended the first Asian Legal Information Institute (AsianLII) Conference ‘Building capacity for free access to law in Asia’ held at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) from 23-25 February 2009, hosted by the Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII), a joint facility of the UTS and UNSW Faculties of Law.
  The Conference was organized with an objective to bring together free access to law providers with users of legal information, technical experts and representatives of funding organizations. The Conference focused on increasing the capacity of local organizations (particularly universities, NGOs and government agencies) in Asian countries to deliver free access to legal information in a sustainable way, and on the wealth of resources already available.
  During the program, Dr. Sangroula made presentation on “Access to Law in Nepal: Challenges and Prospects” to the scholarly mass including lawyers, business persons, academics, government officials, technical experts and representatives of funding organizations. Dr May Fong Cheong, Former Dean, University of Malaya and Assoc Prof Doreen Weisenhaus, University of Hong Kong had put comments in his paper. The session was chaired by Lenore Hamilton, Director, PacLII.
  
• ED’s Visit to Australian Universities
  Executive Director Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula paid visit to Sydney University Law Faculty and also attended meeting with Dean and professors of law faculty. During the occasion, he also addressed a scholarly mass and made presentation on “Security and Policing System in Nepal.”
  
• KSL’s Participation in 15th South Asian Teaching Sessions on International Humanitarian Law
  Assist. Prof. Kapil Aryal, KSL participated in the 15th South Asian Teaching Session on International Humanitarian Laws held from 10th to 17th November 2009 in Visakhapatnam, India. The program was jointly organized by ICRC and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar College of Law, Andra University, Visakhapatnam, India. The program discussed on diverse issues on international humanitarian laws. Asst. Prof. Kapil Aryal made country presentation on ‘Efforts Made by Nepal for the Protection, Promotion & Implementation of IHL’. Forty-five participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had participated in the program. Asst. Prof. Aryal was accompanied by representatives from Nepal Army, Nepal Armed Police Force and Supreme Court.
  
• Student’s Participation on Peace Building and Conflict Transformation Training
  KSL students Ms. Kamana Neupane and Mr. Ram Chandra Gautam of LL.B. 3rd year participated in “Three days Training on Peace Building and Conflict Transformation in South Asia” organized by Didibahini Nepal in collaboration with Regional Centre for Strategic Studies and Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict. The program was organized from August 24-26, 2009 in Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, Nepal. Total 27 participants from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Srilanka and Thailand participated in the program.

• Intra School Moot Court Competition
  Constitutional and Electoral Law Centre (CELC) of KSL organized Intra School Moot Court Competition on Constitutional Issues. The competition aimed at sensitizing the students towards the demand of different indigenous nationalities organizations for states based on caste/ethnicity.
  The Moot Court problem framed for the competition mainly focused on right to self-determination, issue of cessation of state, dignity of people and obligation of the state. Total 15 teams participated in the competition. The competitors were required to plead before the bench both as prosecutor and defense lawyer.
  
• Participation on International Moot Court Competition
  A team of students from KSL participated in 10th D.M. Harris Memorial Government Law College International Moot Court Competition organized by Moot Court Association, Government Law College in support of D.M. Harris Foundation, Mumbai from 13-15 Feb, 2009.
  The competition was based on the issues of public international law; trans-boundary environmental harm, international refugee law, state responsibility for wrongful acts etc. Participants from India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the UK, the USA and Nepal participated in the competition. Team of students comprising Puspa Pokharel (LL.B 5th Year), Alok Pokharel (LL.B 5th Year) and Prabin Subedi (LL.B 3rd Year) represented from Nepal.
  
• Environmental Moot Court Competition
  Mr. Apurba Khatiwada and Sudip Pokharel of LL.B. 5th Year, and Mr. Barun Ghimire of LL.B. 4th Year participated in Thirteenth Annual Environmental Moot Court Competition at Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport Florida, USA from 25-28 March, 2009. The team was qualified for this competition by competing against 19 other law Schools in the qualifying round organized jointly by Surana and Surana International and Madras University, Department of Legal Studies, in Chennai India from 17-19 October, 2009. Earlier, Mr. Khatiwada and Mr. Ghimire had participated in Investment Arbitration Moot- Court “International Investment Protection Law” at Frankfurt, Germany from 4-6 March, 2009. The program was organized by Wilhelm-Merton Centre of European Integration and International Economic Order of the Frankfurt University and the Frankfurt International Arbitration Centre (FIAC).
  
• Shearman & Sterling Jessup Cup Law Moot Court Competition
  The regular participation of KSL students in Shearman & Sterling Jessup Cup Law Moot Court Competition also continued this year. A team of Mr. Alok Pokharel and Mr. John Karki of LL.B. 5th Year participated in the competition from 22-28 March, 2009 in Washington DC, USA. The competition was participated by more than 120 teams from 80 countries across the globe including Nepal. The issues for this year competition were based on contemporary international disputes such as mandate of regional organizations and right of humanitarian intervention, abolition of death penalty, offence made by United Nation Peace Keeping official etc.
  
• Gujrat National Law University International Moot Court Competition
  Students of LL.B. 3rd Year Ms. Rojina Thapa and Mr. Nischal Pokhrel also participated in Gujrat National Law University International Moot Court Competition from 2-5 April, 2009 at Gujrat, India. The issue of the competition this year was related to international trade law, Adrena Free Trade agreement. Total 29 teams from four countries, namely; Nepal, India, Pakistan and Srilanka participated in the competition.
  
• Runner-Up Award in International Law Moot Court Competition-Asia Cup
  Mr. Apurba Khatiwada and Mr. Barun Ghimire of KSL won runner up award in “International Law Moot Court Competition-Asia Cup, 2009” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan from 24-26th August, 2009. Among 37 teams that submitted memorials for the qualification, 10 teams participated for the final rounds. The team representing KSL from Nepal and University of the Philippines from the Philippines reached to the final.
  
• KSL participation in Moot Court Competition
  LL.B. students of KSL, Mr. Amit Upreti, Mr. Prabin Subedi and Mr. Rahul Chapagain along with team coach Mr. Apurba Khatiwada participated in 5th Henry Dunant Regional Memorial Moot Court Competition from 15-17th of October, 2009. This year the program was organized at BRAC University, Dhaka Bangladesh in support of the ICRC. The team represented Nepal in the regional competition. All together five nations from the South Asian region had participated in the competition.

• Speech Competition on Tantrism: Traditional Knowledge
  KSL organized a speech competition on the issue of Tantrism. “ Tantra” is a Sanskrit word referring to the basic warp of threads in weaving while Tantrism refers to a religion of moral percepts, meditation, yoga, mantras and a philosophy that believes in interwovenness of all things.
  Nepal has been strongly influenced by the beliefs and practices of Tantrism for centuries and the competition aimed at sensitizing the students towards the pros and cons of tantrism and its impact upon the society. Students of LL.B. 1st Year participated in the program.
  
• Debate and Speech Competition
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL), in managerial involvement of student interns of LL.B. 5th year, organized Debate and Speech Competition on 7-8th and 13-14th of September, 2009 respectively. KSL organizes these programmes every year as its annual programme which mainly targets the students of LL.B. 1st Year and 2nd Year respectively.
  In the speech competition, Ms. Astha Timilsina and Ms. Swechhya Sangroula of LL.B, 1st Year were awarded with Best Performance of the Day award. Similarly, the panel of judges also selected the final list of participants for the second round of debate competition.
  
• Speech Competition
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL), in managerial involvement of student interns of LL.B. 5th year, organized Speech Competition for the second group of LL.B 1st year on 1st November, 2009. KSL organizes these programmes every year as its annual programme which mainly targets the students of LL.B. 1st Year
  The speech competition was aimed at enhancing the eloquence capacity of the students. Altogether, fourty students participated in the competition. The participants put forward their views on contemporary issues of Nepal which included Democracy, Politics and Human Rights.
  In the speech competition, Ms. Prabika Sintakala and Ms Karuna Parajuli of LL.B. 1st Year were awarded with Best Performance of the Day Award. Similarly, the panel of judges also selected the final list of participants for the second round of speech competition.

• Release of book “Patent Specification”
  A book entitled “Patent Specification” relating to Intellectual Property Law written by Asst. Prof. Raj Kumar Suwal was formally released on 4th March, 2009 at Kathmandu School of Law. The book was released by Professor-Incharge Prof. Madhav Prasad Acharya in presence of Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, faculty, staff and students of KSL. The book provides overall scenario of patent specification including Nepalese and Indian perspective. The book mainly deals with basic concepts of the patent specification by giving brief indication on the subject, its role and identification and its types. It also gives the relation of specification with the basic concepts of patent system in intellectual property jurisprudence. The Author has tried to analyze national legal form of structure and practice with other extra territorial legal provisions. The book also discusses on several relative aspect of formation of specification giving specific emphasis in several major aspects of specification and the patent practice, general interpretation of specification etc. The book attempts to provide reasonable informative conception on subject and tries to fill the limited vacuum in the field of patent practice in intellectual property jurisprudence.

• Presentation to CA members on Federalism and Autonomy
  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula made a presentation to the members of Constituent Assembly (CA) on Federalism and Autonomy, in a one-day seminar organized by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly Affairs on ‘Federalism and Autonomy’. The program was organized by the Ministry on 2nd January, 2009 for CA members with a view to helping them for writing the new constitution.
  During the program, Prof. Sangroula made presentation on the rationality of adopting the federal structure; political, economic, sociological, psychological, legal and managerial dimensions of federalism; conceptual values of federalism, different types of federal structure including evolutionary and devolutionary structure, symmetrical and asymmetrical structure, centrifugal and centripetal federal structure, cooperative federalism, autonomy, etc. He emphasized the need of paying attention to the multi-dimensions of federalism before the structure is determined.
  The seminar was inaugurated by Hon’ble Subash Chandra Nemwang, Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly.
  
• 9th Annual Day Celebration
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) celebrated its 9th Annual Day on 5th Jan, 2009 with the release of its annual report amidst several events. The programme observed debate and speech competition of LL.B. students; felicitation to two prominent personalities; award distribution to high scoring students in board examination; and keynote remarks by the distinguish guests.
  Students of LL.B. 1st Year made a final round of speech competition in guise of President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Constituent Assembly, Foreign Minister, and Oppositional Leader of the country. Ms. Yugichhya Sangroula, Ms. Jyoti Bhandari, Ms. Binita Pandey, Mr. Subina Lal Mulmi and Mr. Bikalpa Raj Bhandari appeared as President, Prime Minister, Spokesperson, Foreign Minister and Opposition Leader respectively.
  Similarly, students of LL.B 2nd Year presented final round of debate competition on the issue National Integration and Co-existence is the precondition for Economic and Social Development. Two groups of participants expressed their views in favor and against the issue.
  The program observed the felicitation of Reader Sitaram Adhikari and late Reader Rudra Kharel for their significant contribution in the field of law and justice through promotion of legal education. Reader Kharel and Reader Adhikari were awarded for their consistent perseverance in promoting legal education through various articles, opinion and literary creation through Nepali and English language respectively.
  During the program, award was distributed to the winner of the Speech and Debate Competition. In the Speech Competition students Ms. Yugicchya Sangroula, President bagged first prize; Ms. Jyoti Singh Bhandari, Prime Minister bagged second prize; and Mr. Bikalpa Rajbhandari, Opposition Leader won the third prize. Likewise, in the debate competition the team comprising Ms. Ankita K.C., Ms. Ritu Bhandari, Ms. Swechha Ghimire and Mr. Sunila Hakaju Shrestha bagged the winning title.
  Similarly, prize and awards were distributed to the students who scored highest in the university board examination in LL.B. and LL.M. programs. Letter of appreciation was also distributed to students who showed outstanding performance in international competitions and have participated in regional and international programmes in the year 2008.
  The formal session was followed by cultural program. Annual Report of the School was also distributed to all the participants.
  
• KSL congratulates its members for the new assignment
  Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Giri has recently appointed Senior Advocate Prakash Chandra Sharma Osti for the post of ad-hoc judge of the Supreme Court of Nepal. Mr. Osti was a member of the management committee of KSL. Similarly, Nepal government has appointed Mr. Deependra Bahadur Chhetri as the new governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). Mr. Chhetri has been a visiting vaculty of KSL and resource person for its International Residential Program on Economic, Social and Development Rights, and Good Governance. KSL congratulates both of them for the new appointment and wishes for their successful tenure.
  
• High-Level Taskforce submits report to Nepal Government
  High-Level Taskforce on Modernization of Security Agencies submitted its report to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Bam Dev Gautam on 13th February, 2009. The Taskforce, formed by Nepal Government on 28th November 2008 headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, was entrusted with the task of reviewing overall security arrangements and recommending measures for modernizing the security forces. The task force carried in-depth study of three security agencies of Nepal and identified problems and measures to address those problems. The report was handed over by Dr. Sangroula, the Taskforce Coordinator.
  Receiving the report at the Ministry, Home Minister Gautam said that the government will soon form a separate Security Service Commission through a government decision after amending necessary laws. “Before forming a commission, necessary amendments will be made on the Security Act,” he said.
  Expressing commitment to implement the suggestions and recommendations in the report, he said a special arrangement would be made to treat those injured during the insurgency. He said a taskforce would be formed to manage Police Welfare Fund and police-run fuel stations would be probed.
  Inspector general of police (IGP) Ramesh Chand Thakuri, IGP of Armed Police Force Bashu Dev Oli and Dhana Singh Karki of National Investigation Department were present at the function.
  
• Residential School on Law of Intellectual Property
  Business Law Centre of KSL organized three days Residential School on Law of Intellectual Property (IP) from 5-7 February, 2009. The main objective of the School was to enhance understanding of participants about the importance of intellectual property, enrich them to look into the issue jurisprudentially and analytically and equip them with tools and techniques to use the property for the development of the country.
  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula and Mr Jeevan Sitaula, Director of IP Section of the Department of Industry, jointly inaugurated the School on 5th February 2009. Addressing the inauguration session, they expressed their belief that the School will enhance the capacity of the participants and boost the development of IP sector in Nepal if the participants could apply the gained knowledge in their respective working field. The programme was facilitated by presentations from Advocate Sajjan B.S. Thapa, Lecturer Dr. Bal Bahadur Mukhiya, and residential resource person Asst. Prof. Raj Kumar Suwal.
  The School was formally concluded by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubraj Sangroula with the distribution of awards and certificates of participation based on the presentation and overall performance as marked by commentators and residential resource persons. Altogether 26 participants participated in the School.
  
• Residential School on Legal Research and Professional Ethics
  KSL organized three days residential school on “Legal Research and Professional Ethics” from 25-27 March at KSL for LL.B. 3rd year students. The program intended to develop critical knowledge on fundamental concepts, elements and process of legal research; enrich students’ research based professionalism; and strengthen their capability to involve in multi–faceted research of laws.
  Intensive course was conducted incorporating presentations like Case Law Research; Secondary Source Research/Hierarchy; Secondary Authority and Computer Assisted Legal Research; Tools and Methodologies of Research; Types of Research; Science, Common Sense and Values; Formulation of Research problem/Hypothesis; Professional Responsibility and Ethical Practice; Data Analysis etc.
  
• Residential School on Proposal Writing
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) organized three days residential program on “Proposal Writing” for the students of LL.B. 5th Year and LL.M. 2nd Year on 21-23 June, 2009. The school intended to provide extensive knowledge on research based writing mainly dissertation and also strengthen their capability to involve in multi–faceted research of laws.
  Intensive course was conducted incorporating subjects like identification of topic; formulation of research problem; literature review; rules of citation; language sensitivity in research; research methodology; analysis, coding and decoding of data, etc. Each presentation was followed by discussion.
  A total of 50 students participated in the program including students of LL.B. 5th Year and three streams of LL.M 2nd Year; Criminal Law and Justice, Human Rights and Gender Justice, and Business and International Trade Laws.
  
• Joint Press Meet on WYGI Scholarship Fund
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) and WYG International organized a joint press meet programme on 13th July, 2009 to make a formal announcement of the establishment of WYGI Scholarship Fund for students from poor, marginalized and remote community to study a 5 years LL.B. programme at KSL.
  Sundar Bahdur Sheni of Bajhang district, Sunita Dhimal of Morang, Urmila Rokka of Kathmandu and Kiran Kumari Chaudhari of Banke received the scholarship. The recipients, a boy and three girls, were selected from among candidates recommended by National Dalit Commission, National Federation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, National Women’s Commission and Tharu Kalyankari Sangh.
  As per the agreement between the KSL and the WYG International, the selected students will receive payment for tuition and teaching materials, subsistence and travel expenses through a revolving fund of 20,000 Euros raised by the Company.
  WYG International, a UK based company, is one of the largest and well known European companies addressing the issues of societal transformation, contributing to a wide range of development interventions throughout Central Asia, Eastern and Southern Europe and South East Asia. It is also an implementing partner for the Conflict Mitigation Programme (CMP) Package-2, a joint programme of the government of Nepal and EU.
  The press meet programme was observed by Dr. Stig Marker Hensen, Team Leader, CMP; Mr. Henryk Montygierd, Coordinator, CMP and also Chairperson, International Advisory Committee, KSL; Mr. Mukunda Bista, Assistant Director, CMP; recipients of scholarships, among others.
  
• KSL Consultation on Federalism
  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula and Assoc. Prof. H.K. Rana provided their expert consultation to CPN (UML) leaders on federalism on 28 July, 2009 upon the invitation of the CPN (UML) chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal. The programme was attended by UML central members, CA members and experts. The programme was focused on formation of states, naming and mapping of the states based on geographical, regional, linguistic and economic similarities, legal recognition and model of federal states, etc.
  
• KSL marks 60th Anniversary of Geneva Conventions amidst various programs
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) observed Geneva Conventions Week from 11-14th August, 2009 by organizing various programs to mark the 60th anniversary of commencement of the Geneva Conventions, 1949. The programs were aimed at pressurizing the stakeholders to materialize their commitment for national implementation of international humanitarian laws.
  The program was formally inaugurated on 11th August, 2009 at KSL highlighting the objective and overview of the program by Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak. The program subsequently observed various activities including documentary show on 12th August, massive signature campaign on 13th August at three important hubs of the Kathmandu valley; Kathmandu Durbar Square, Lalitpur Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Over 1500 of signatories expressed their commitments to pressurize the government to materialize its commitment for national implementation of international humanitarian laws for ending impunity in Nepal.
  
• Residential School on Legal Research
  Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) organized a five-day residential school on Research Methodology from 30th July, 2009. The program was targeted for the students of LL.M. and M.A. (Human Rights) to strengthen their knowledge and skills on epistemology, enrich their research based professionalism, strengthen their capability to involve in multi–faceted research of laws and research methodology.
  The program discussed on various issues like science, commonsense, language sensitivity in research; importance of scientific research and design in legal study and profession; research methodology; values and perception building; proposal design and write up; preparation of field projects, etc. Students were also encouraged to work in team to conduct field research and make a group presentation of their findings in the workshop.
  
• Japanese Professor and Students visit KSL
  Students of Ehime University, Japan along with Prof. Takeshi Narabayashi paid a visit to the KSL on 7th August, 2009 in order to exchange ideas and experiences of two universities and countries. A discussion session was held in the issue of role of law students in constitution making process; teaching methodology, extra-curricular activities of the KSL. The discussion identified law students as pressure group who can effectively work to ensure the incorporation of popular voice in the constitution. Prof. Narabayashi also expressed his willingness to support Nepal in tackling contemporary problems in collaboration with the KSL.
  
• 2nd Regional Partner Meeting of the Asia Pacific Master of Human Rights and Democratisation
  A team of Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, Assoc. Prof. Geeta Pathak, Assoc. Prof. Prakash K.C. and Asst. Prof. Bhoj Raj Bhatt participated in a week long 2nd Regional Partner meeting of the Asia Pacific Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (MHRD) and Training of Trainers (ToT), 2009. The programme was held from 26-31 October, 2009 at Bangkok, Thailand. The programme was organized by Centre of Human Rights Studies and Social Development, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus. Also present in the meeting were faculties from University of Mahidol, Thailand; University of Gadjah Mada, Indonesia; University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and University of Sydney, Australia.
  The programme was divided into two parts; on first two days 26th and 27th Steering Committee Meeting was organized and on later day from 28th -31st Oct ToT was held. On Steering Committee Meeting, different procedural matters of proposed MHRD program, Application and Degree Approval Process, Scholarship Assessment, Promotion and Student Recruitment Process, Grading, Internship and Dissertation have been discussed. In the second part of the programme, a ToT was organized on different areas of Active Learning Techniques and Cross Cultural Learning and a conclusion was made to adopt unanimous Teaching Technique in MHRD programme.
  
• Field study to Melamchi
  Students of LL.B. 1st year conducted four days field study on political, social, economical and cultural condition of Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk from 19th-22nd November, 2009. Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, Executive Director, KSL accompanied the students. The aim of the study was to compare the situation of rural and urban people analyzing the political and socio-economic aspects. The LL.B 1st year students donated books for Indreshwori Uchha Madhyamik Vidhyalaya.
  
• Blood Donation Campaign at KSL
  KSL organized a blood donation campaign on 27th of November, 2009 at its premises. Altogether 70 people including staff, teachers and students participated in the campaign. KSL organizes this campaign every year to mark the Global Activism on Violence Against Women.
  
• Follow up Meeting with Partners
  KSL participated in a follow up meeting with MS Nepal and Action Aid Nepal (AAN) and its partners on 10th of December, 2009. The meeting aimed to review the activities performed by the partner organizations including FOHRID, Alliance for Peace and Forum for Justice. The programme was attended by project team for “Advocacy Campaign for Structure, Powers and Functions of Local Governance System in the New Constitution” including Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula.
  The programme began with welcome remarks from Cataline Mihotek, Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor, SPCBN Team, UNDP. On behalf of KSL, Prof. Dr. Sangroula presented the problems confronted by constitution making process in Nepal, objectives and activities of the project and future initiatives to be made to promote the concept of autonomous local self government in the new constitution. At the same programme, other partner organizations also presented the activities performed by their respective institutions and future interventions. KSL and all these partner organizations have been working with AAN and MS Nepal to support constitution building processes from people’s perspective.
  
• Fourth Convocation of Purbanchal University
  Pubarchal University organized Fourth Convocation on 14th Sept 2009. Students of KSL LL.B and LL.M appeared in the convocation program. Hon’ble Madhav Kumar Nepal, Prime Minister handed over the certificate to the students. Total 10 students from LL.B and 7 from LL.M received the certificates.
  Name of Students from LL.B
  - Mukesh Dhungana
  - Rajeshwor Shresthas
  - Ramesh Parajuli
  - Lekat Bahadur Khadka
  - Alpana Bhandari
  - Binay Sigdel
  - Dikshya Pradhananga
  - Ganesh Nayak
  - Ritambera Basnet
  - Sharda Phuyal
  
  Name of Students from LL.M.
  - Deependra Ranjit
  - Kapil Aryal
  - Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai
  - Satya Narayan Kalika
  - Mukesh Dhungana
  - Rajan Adhikari
  - Ramesh Parajuli