RMLNLU student gets prestigious scholarship at Xiamen Academy of International Law in China

Surendra Kumar, a fourth year student of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow has bagged a scholarship for the Summer School program in International Law at the Xiamen Academy of International Law (XAIL) in Xiamen, China..XAIL is an international institution aiming to “provide the highest level education to individuals who are particularly sensitive to the development and use of International Law, such as young lecturers in International Law, diplomats, practitioners of law, government officials in charge of foreign affairs and officials in international organizations.” This year, His Excellency Judge Peter Tomka, President of the International Court of Justice at The Hague will be taking lectures at the Summer School. ..Students from 40 countries are participating in this course..The course involves lectures from legal luminaries of the world and students from all around the globe. Last year, his senior Arpita Goswami had bagged this scholarship. This year she guided Surendra through the same. Surendra has previously attended the Global Model United Nations, 2010 organised by United Nations in Malaysia and World MUN by Harvard University in Singapore..The 22-year-old Surendra, who has also been awarded the Reserve Bank of India Young Scholar Award, 2012 will leave for the 3-week programme, which starts on July 2. Although Surendra has received a scholarship for the tuition fees, he still requires financial assistance for travel and accommodation..Bar & Bench spoke to Surendra Kumar about his achievement and below are the excerpts of the conversation with him..How do you feel on winning this scholarship?.It feels great to have been selected for such an event. I sent my application very close to the deadline and I was quite surprised when I got the admission notification. This year Judge Peter Tomka, President, International Court of Justice, The Hague will be taking lectures in XAIL which is quite significant in light of the recent elevation of Justice Dalveer Bhandari to ICJ..How did you prepare and how was it competing with people from other top law schools?.I sent a statement of purpose (SOP), my CV and academic transcripts along with an application for scholarship. My senior Arpita Goswami got the same scholarship last year and she was the guiding force behind this application. She guided and mentored me throughout. My professor, Dr. A.P. Singh without whose recommendation, this would not have been possible. It was quite thrilling to have competed with other law school students for this coveted scholarship. I think my stint with United Nations and the SOP were the deciding factors..Any challenges that you facing in pursuing this course?.The biggest challenge now is to arrange for sponsorship for attending this summer course. I have been trying for the same. I have sent emails requesting the University for assistance but unfortunately have been unsuccessful so far. Barely a month is left for arranging everything from flight tickets to a visa. Unlike foreign universities, we don’t really have scholarship or travel grants for such purposes from either the government or the university. Due to my delicate economic position, without sponsorship, I might have to let it go..NB: If someone is willing to sponsor, he/she can contact Surendra Kumar directly by email at kumarsurendra07@gmail.com.