TEACHING- LLB., LL.M., AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW COURSES
The Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL), NALSAR University of Law has always pioneered in teaching and research in advanced areas. CADL offers various elective/seminar courses for LL.B., LL.M. students including Contemporary Issues in Air and Space Law, Defence Procurement Policy, Public Private Partnership in Aviation Industry, Aero Space and Defence Start-ups etc. These Courses are being offered by the Centre for the past 20 years and produced number of scholars. Many students with degrees in air and space law have now been absorbed in the national mainstream and are working with the airlines, airports, law firms, multinational corporations etc. Several of them have also taken up important assignments abroad, enriching global prospects.
For Regular Students: Every Year we have been offering regular courses on Air and Space Laws to LL.B and LL.M students at NALSAR University of Law. To date, more than 50 Students had opted for this Courses and attained immense knowledge in the Air and Space Laws. There are also few Ph.D Scholars who pursued in Air and Space Laws and Defence Laws.
Distance and on-line Mode: NALSAR University of Law on 1st December, 2008 signed an MOU with Institute of Applied Aviation Management (IAAM), Calicut, to offer one year Post Graduate Diploma course in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (PGDALATM) with the motive to meet the aspirations of students / individuals pursuing ENGG / MBA / LAW / Aviation-Related courses and serving aviation executives by giving them simultaneously a value added qualification without jeopardizing their current pursuits and the course were commenced in March 2009.
NALSAR University of Law in collaboration with Institute of Applied Aviation Management (IAAM), Calicut introduced a one year ‘Post Graduate Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management’ which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr.Justice L.Narasimha Reddy, Judge, High Court of A.P. on 21 May 2009 at NALSAR Campus. While launching the programme, he emphasized the importance of aviation education and congratulated NALSAR-IAAM for their unique initiative. It is the first ever academic industry partnership which is a remarkable initiative particularly for the aviation industry.
In terms of the MoU signed between NALSAR University of Law and Institute of Applied Aviation Management (IAAM), Calicut, the first Post-graduate Diploma Course in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (PGDALATM) was launched at Cochin on 23rd April, 2009, at Hyderabad on 21st May, 2009 and at Bangalore on 23rd July, 2009. Total 115 students admitted to the programme out of which 25 students were admitted at Cochin, 60 students at Hyderabad and 30 students at Bangalore.
Out of a total of 115 candidates admitted during 2009 – 2010, 102 candidates were found eligible for award of the P.G. Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management. The Diploma Award Ceremony was held on September 2, 2010 at NALSAR Campus. Shri. G.M. Rao, Group Chairman, GMR Group was the Chief Guest and awarded Diploma Certificates. Capt. S.N. Reddy and Dr. Padmini Reddy Gold Medal and Asian Institute of Transport Development Gold Medal were awarded to the Topper and Second Topper respectively at the function.
During 2010-2011, admissions for the second batch of PGDALATM were made and a total of 191 candidates were admitted. The onsite classes were conducted at Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
NALSAR- IAAM signed an MOU with Government of Sharjah, Department of Civil Aviation and launched the first ever unique Aviation Law and Air Transport Management program in the UAE in May 2010. With a view to enhance the quality and reach of air and space law studies across the world, the Centre had launched the first ever Post Graduate Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (PGDALATM) in Sharjah (UAE) 2010-2011 and successfully conducted the One year PG diploma in Air Law and Air transport Management at Bangalore, Cochin, Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad and Sharjah, Dubai.
During 2011, the admissions to the 3rd Batch Post-Graduate Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (PGDALATM) were made and a total of 132 students were admitted. The contact classes were conducted at Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi Centres.
LAUNCH OF INNOVATIVE COURSES
With the concept of “Education at door steps of Needy Students”, NALSAR through CADL has also launched few innovative on-site and online courses. In the year 2013, CADL, NALSAR has also started innovative ‘online-onsite’ courses such as Master’s Degree in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (MALATM); Master’s Degree in Space and Telecommunication Laws (MSTL); One-year PG Diplomas in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (PGDALATM); One-year PG Diploma in GIS and Remote Sensing Laws (PGDGRSL) under the aegis of Centre for Air & Space Law. The objectives of these courses are to cater to the needs of the unprecedented growth in aviation sector coupled with the commercialization of space technologies has created the need for thousands of skilled manpower to meet the requirements of rapidly growing aerospace and telecommunications sectors. In view of 2G controversy, there is an urgent need to have specialisation in the upcoming discipline of telecommunication laws. The Centre also undertook collaborative research activities in areas of common concern with State Governments; Multi-National Corporations such as the GMR group, Non-Government Organizations and other International Organizations. The enrolled students in the year 2013 for the One Year Post- Graduate Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management, 25 students have successfully completed their course and the Diplomas were awarded in the Twelfth Annual Convocation held on August 2, 2014.
During 2014, CADL, NALSAR, started a Centre at New Delhi for conducting the onsite sessions for the 2-Year Master’s Degree in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management and One Year Post-Graduate Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management in order to accommodate the growing demand and having regards to the needs of the working professionals from New Delhi. During the year, 74 candidates were admitted to Master’s Degree in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management; 08 candidates were admitted to Master’s Degree in Space and Telecommunication Laws; 13 candidates were admitted to PG Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management.
During the year 2015, 88 candidates were admitted to Master’s Degree in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (Delhi & Hyderabad Centres); 10 candidates were admitted to Master’s Degree in Space and Telecommuni-cation Laws (Hyderabad Centre). Onsite sessions were conducted at Delhi and Hyderabad Centres and examinations were conducted both at Hyderabad and Delhi Centres. 19 students have become eligible for award of Master’s Degree in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management; 04 students of Master’s Degree in Space and Telecommunication Laws; 07 students of Post-Graduate Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management.
Ms. Sadaf Amrin Fathima, student of Master’s Degree in Space and Telecommunication Laws (2015) has been awarded the prestigious ‘DAAD Scholarship’ for pursuing Master’s Programme in the University of Munich, Germany.
In 2017, the Centre for Air and Space Law (CASL) was changed as Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL) to expand its research in the area of Defence Laws also.
During 2018, CADL offered M.A. (Aviation Law and Air Transport Management) and P.G. Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management courses through Directorate of Distance Education. The Centre also offered a Certificate Programme on Advanced Air Laws during February 8 – 12, 2018. The programme was offered at NALSAR as a residential programme and a total of 24 candidates registered for the programme and the certificates were awarded to the successful candidates..
Brief background about Masters and Diploma Courses
The objective of introducing these unique courses is to cater to the needs of unprecedented aviation growth coupled with commercialization of telecom & space technologies, which requires a large and highly skilled workforce to meet not just the managerial requirements of the rapidly growing aerospace industry but also the legal complications that arise from the high value transactions involving the market participants. These courses seek to meet the burgeoning demand of the industry from the supply-side by producing legal and managerial aerospace experts which India is facing an acute shortage. NALSAR’s initiative crystallize an academic – industry partnership in the domain of Air Transport Management, Aviation, Space, Remote Sensing, GIS and Telecom Laws which makes the programme first of its kind not only in India but also in this part of the world. The aforesaid courses are unique value-added qualifications which would help the aspirants to acquire global placements in aero-space and telecom industries.
The uniqueness of the programme: The curriculum of the programme is a tailor-made to meet the professional needs of the aviation industry-airport, airline, aerospace and related sectors so that the products are in a position to directly take on the core managerial positions in any of these sectors. A lawyer who has been traditionally endowed with rational mind can now be seen as a ‘Professional Aviation Manager’ because of the specialization, sector specific knowledge and competence in the aviation industry that he/she receives during the program. Similarly, a manager who is endowed with analytical ability is now in a position to function at a higher lever with a greater competence by acquiring the specific knowledge of the rules of the game i.e. Aviation Law. This unique advantage of a comprehensive understanding of the industry its operational aspects, managerial functions and of the general management module interlined with the aviation specific module such as advanced airport management and airline management. Thus it provides a comprehensive understanding of the industry with the practical exposure.
Conduct of the Programme: Master’s Degree and PG Diplomas are of ‘Blended version’ (a mix of Onsite and Online) sessions spread across four and two semesters respectively. Each semester will have Onsite intense session by the subject experts, followed by Online session where participants will work on the case studies/project assignments and upload them on the dedicated web portal. Under the mode of intense e-learning process, the students can have access to subject experts specializing in various areas of the subject. The relevant updated materials will be uploaded from time to time. At the end of the final semester, students are required to submit a Dissertation.
United Nations Recognition for Air and Space Law courses offered by CADL, NALSAR
CADL’s (earlier known as Centre for Air and Space Law (CASL) innovative courses on Space and Telecommunication Laws have been recognised by the United Nations Organization Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Vienna in its updated Directory on Education Opportunities in Space Law (A/AC/105 /C.2/2015/CRP.9). This Education Directory by UNOOSA recognizes and showcases the innovative education opportunities in Aerospace Industry available across the world. These courses offered by Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL), NALSAR are a unique combination of Law, Management and Technology in the field of aerospace.