NALSAR will enable industries get right professionals

Prof V Balakista Reddy, Professor of Law and Registrar, NALSAR University of Law also heads the Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL) established at NALSAR. The Centre leads national and international research in the field of Air Law, Space Laws, Maritime Law, Defence and Security Laws is a pioneer in launching and running market-driven and critically acclaimed courses in these fields.

In a freewheeling interview with The Hans India, he shared the "innovative and value-added" programmes including Masters in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management, Masters in Defence and Security Laws, PG Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management and PG Diploma in Advanced Maritime Laws and the career prospects for the students who intend to pursue the courses.

Could you please tell us about the NALSAR and the Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL)?

NALSAR University of Law which was established by Act 34 of 1998 consistently ranked as one of the best universities in India has always endeavoured to promote quality research in contemporary legal issues. The University established the advanced centre for Air and Space Law (CASL) in 2005 which is now known as Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL). Since then, NALSAR-CADL has evolved inarguably a leader in promoting the study of and training in the specialised fields of Aerospace and Defence Laws.

Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL)NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad has recently launched few innovative and value-added programmes including Masters in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management, Masters in Defence and Security Laws, PG Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management and PG Diploma in Advanced Maritime Laws.

The objective of introducing these unique courses is to cater to the needs of unprecedented aviation growth coupled with commercialisation of aerospace and defence technologies, which calls for thousands of skilled manpower to meet not just the managerial requirements of the rapidly growing aerospace and defence sectors but also the legal complications that arise from the high value transactions. There is an acute shortage of aerospace and defence legal and managerial professionals around the world.

The aforesaid courses are a unique value-added qualification which would help the aspirants acquire global placements in the aerospace and Defence industry. With support from organisations such as the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence, ISRO and representatives from the private sector, these courses are being introduced.

NALSAR's initiative crystallises an academic-industry partnership in the domain of Aerospace and Defence Laws which makes the programme first of its kind not only in India but also in this part of the world.

What opportunities and challenges do you see in the Aerospace and Defence industry five years from now?

A: The recent trends of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation will take even bigger strides across the globe and under its influence; India will become the world's third-largest aviation market by 2020. India's infrastructure capabilities will be enhanced with higher passenger handling capacity. Business in this sector will see complicated and volume-enhancing mergers and acquisitions across the world.

I am excited about the fact that along with business leaders, other professionals will play an important role in leading this revolution. Lack of a coherent proper law and policy in the aviation sector is urgently needed. Government regulatory structure is a burden as it does not help solve the industry –market requirements of having new players and competitive growth through liberalization.

The changes in policy, for example, the recent FDI policy are too few and piecemeal. There is no comprehensive Aviation Policy which could help guide and predict changes and help focus on core areas such as aviation infrastructure.

Given the global economic slowdown which has affected industries in these sectors, how do you think the launch of such programmes are relevant?

A: In spite of the temporary economic meltdown and closing down of Jet Airways & Kingfisher Airlines, the Indian aviation sector has been on a fast track growth and it is bouncing back. Many airports are getting privatised and new airports are also coming up. There is no doubt that the aviation sector in India has an ever-increasing demand for hundreds of aviation lawyers, management professionals and Aeronautical Engineers among other professionals.

With airlines such as Air Asia entering into tie-ups and several support enterprises functioning in India, new opportunities require specialised and well-trained serving and fresh professionals to man the modern aviation industry and who are trained specifically under the present regulatory structure. Our programme will thus help the aerospace industry to get the right professionals at the right time.

Could you please tell about the scope and opportunities in the Indian defence industry?

The defence sector was opened up to 100 per cent for Indian private sector participation, with FDI permissible up to 26%, both subject to licensing and Government approval. Recognising this, the new Government decided to raise the cap to 49 per cent through the FIPB approval route and has further decided that FDI beyond this will be allowed by the Cabinet Committee on Security only where cutting-edge technology is being transferred.

The Indian aerospace industry is moving into an era of multinational cooperation, or 'horizontal specialisation', where original equipment manufacturers, as well as service suppliers, seamlessly integrate functions such as engineering, manufacturing, and customer support across multiple global locations.

Could you please tell me about the contents of the two years Master's Degrees and one-year PG Diplomas. How are these courses conducted?

This programme, being an integrated course, ensures the students become aviation law experts, certified by a leading law University and also gives a rare opportunity for lawyers to get a specialisation in air laws while becoming an air transport management expert, unlike traditional aviation law programmes.

The courses are blended versions of onsite and online sessions lasting two years for Master's Degree and one year for P.G. Diploma covering various subjects like an introduction to aviation law, principles of management and aerospace technology.

The courses have been designed in such a way that instruction starts from the fundamentals and comprises industry exposure which has already been crystallised. The evaluation will end with a dissertation. The pedagogy comprises case studies and project assignments and e-learning through web platform during the online sessions.

Could you please describe CADL's contribution to the domain of Aerospace and Defence Laws?

As of now NALSAR has taken a big leap forward by focusing on contemporary legal issues pertaining to Aerospace and Defence Laws. It is the only University in India which can proudly claim the fact that it has offered specialized courses in Aerospace and Defence Laws at both UG and PG level and has been able to produce more than 100 students as experts in the same.

I am glad to tell you that these students have been catering to the needs of national as well as international aviation sectors by rendering their services in various capacities such as legal advisors, legal consultants, practicing lawyers, in-house counsels in various international and national law firms. The Centre serves as a research and training house for professionals with the several national and international prestigious conferences, workshops and moot court competitions that it conducts.

How will the syllabus be continually updated to fit changing needs and requirements?

As these courses are dynamic in nature it requires constant updating and evaluation. To evaluate these courses, NALSAR University has constituted a high-powered Committee consisting of judges, academicians, advocates, experts from aerospace and defence sectors. These experts are involved in the updating of syllabi in tune with the changing industry needs.

Finally, can you please inform us about what job opportunities will the students have after completing these courses?

India has a vast pool of untapped talent which after requisite training and development can become invaluable to any industry in the world and as universities of excellence. Students can become leaders in their respective areas of specialisation with adequate skill development. Aerospace and defence sectors are truly international in nature hence, students trained through our courses can serve in the global and not just the Indian market.

The online component of this course and personal contact classes have brought education to their doorsteps, allowing participants to acquire the additional qualification while continuing with their current pursuits. The winds of privatisation, commercialisation and globalisation have brought with themselves legal and managerial challenges and only those who take steps to appropriately train themselves professionally can think about evolving in their employment.

Does NALSAR has any help desk for prospective students to seek more information on the programmes being offered by your university?

Yes. I suggest those interested to first go through the detailed information of various courses placed on our university website at www.dde.nalsar.ac.in and www.nalsarpro.org. If they want any further information they can call us on all working days and our staff would help them to clarify their queries.