Guide To Career As A Law Faculty: Let's Hear The Story of Ms. Ihsaan Meera: Short Interview Segment

Ihsaan Meera E is an Assistant Professor of law at the Chennai Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Pattaraiperumbudur. After successfully clearing her PG studies, NET and TRB recruitment process, she is now teaching law at one of the most reputed Government Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu. Let's hear her journey from a law graduate to Law faculty in this short interview segment.

Madam, shall we begin the interview by briefly discussing your family, schooling and college life?

Hi, definitely! I completed my primary education at Holy Angels Convent in Trivandrum, Kerala. For my secondary education, I attended Kerala Vidyalayam Higher Secondary School and Kolaperumal Chetty Vaishnav Higher Secondary School, both located in Chennai. Following that, I pursued a B.A.B.L (Hons) Course at the School of Excellence in Law, Chennai. Later, I obtained a Master of Laws (M.L) degree in International Law and Organisation with a distinction in the same college. I am also pursuing my PhD Programme at The Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University. Despite being a first-generation lawyer, I have been able to strike a balance between my career and family life with the constant support of my parents, Mr. M. Essa and Dr. K. R. Varidha, as well as my husband, Mr. Miras Mahamood, especially while raising our two young kids aged 5 and 2.

You seem to have participated in various National and International seminars, what were your take aways from participating in those seminars?

Well, attending seminars are actually a rewarding experience that contributed positively to my personal and professional development. These seminars gave me opportunities to learn from experts in the field, gain new perspectives, and stay updated on the latest developments and research. Such seminars provided me the chance to interact with like-minded professionals, academics, and experts, which also gave me valuable connections and potential collaborations. I have taken few MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) courses on International Law, which have greatly aided my comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Your paper publication on “Islamic Marriage-beyond a mere contractual obligation” is extremely relevant in this time and age, can you elaborate a bit on your paper?

Yes, Both Western scholars and Indian scholars may not always fully comprehend Islamic Jurisprudence. There are deeply embedded misconceptions about marriage and divorce with legislations based on flawed understanding of Islamic law that has led to demonising Muslim Personal Law. For instance, Triple Talaq and Polygamy. In most prescribed textbooks on Family law, it is often mentioned that Islamic marriage is purely contractual and that triple talaq and polygamy are permitted, although in reality, both are prohibited but sometimes misinterpreted as permissible. However, this cannot be condemned. For those who lack familiarity with the Islamic belief system, comprehending Islamic law and the strong desire of Muslims to be governed by it can be exceedingly puzzling. I always have this deep-seated belief that in my dual role as a believer and legal expert, I should address the misunderstandings propagated by mainstream media, whether stemming from a lack of knowledge about Islamic law or driven by political motives, hence this article amongst few other articles. So, yes, as the article proves Islamic marriage is not only contractual but also sacramental.

What piqued your interest at academics and inspired you to become a Law faculty?

Well, I always wanted to be an academician. My mother, Dr.Varidha retired as a Head of the Department of Tamil at the D.G. Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam. Observing her inspire her students as I grew up motivated me to aspire to become an academician someday. I am immensely grateful to my mentor, Prof. (Dr.) Mujahidul Islam (Dr.C.Elaiyaraja), for his unwavering support, mentoring, and guidance. He helped me recognize the nobility of the teaching profession and the profound impact a teacher can have in inspiring students and transforming their lives, like he moulded me. So yes, the nobility and transformative potential of academia captured my interest, motivating me to pursue a career as a Law faculty.

With the sudden spurt in law colleges all over Tamilnadu, what do you think are important skills that a law faculty should possess to educate and instil interest in law for students?

The recent surge in law colleges in Tamil Nadu has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, this growth has improved access to legal education for aspiring law students and has led to a larger pool of legal professionals in the region, contributing to the dissemination of legal knowledge. However, the negative aspect involves disparities in the standards of education, faculty expertise, and infrastructure among various law colleges.

Having personally worked as a Guest Faculty at the School of Excellence in Law, an Assistant Professor at the SRM School of Law, and delivering special lectures at several other law colleges in Tamil Nadu, I have observed these disparities. For instance, the evaluation methods vary, with autonomous law colleges conducting internal evaluations, making it relatively easier for students to score high marks. On the other hand, government law colleges follow a centralized evaluation system, making it challenging for students to achieve high scores. As a law faculty member currently serving in a government law college since 2019, I acknowledge the significant responsibility I have. Some of the key responsibilities include possessing clear and articulate communication skills in both English and Tamil, being approachable and open to student questions and concerns to create a supportive learning environment, and providing mentoring and guidance to encourage research skills among students. Understanding these challenges, I am committed to fulfilling my role as an educator in a government law college and striving to create a positive and nurturing environment for my students to thrive academically and professionally.

What is your teaching philosophy?

As mentioned in a previous response, my passion for teaching was kindled by observing my mother and mentor Dr Mujahid Sir and other teachers, and that serves as the foundation of my teaching philosophy. They imparted the belief that a teaching philosophy should harmonize with our values, beliefs, and experiences while remaining receptive to growth through reflections and classroom experiences. By upholding this well-defined teaching philosophy, my aspiration is to cultivate a constructive and transformative learning journey for my students, empowering them to become self-assured, lifelong learners.

What is the process to become a law faculty in Tamil Nadu?

The UGC is the statutory body that prescribes the standards of legal education. The process to become a law faculty in Tamil Nadu generally involves the following steps: A postgraduate degree in law (LL.M) with a good academic record is required. In India, to become a law faculty, candidates need to clear the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) conducted by the respective state's Public Service Commission (PSC). The NET or SLET is essential to qualify for Assistant Professor positions in government colleges and universities. Pursuing a Ph.D. in law is not always mandatory, but having a doctoral degree can enhance a candidate's academic profile and increase their chances of securing higher positions in academia. Universities often prefer candidates with a Ph.D. for Associate Professor and Professor roles.

Also, engaging in research and publishing articles in reputable journals can boost a candidate's academic credentials and demonstrate their expertise in a particular area of law. As previously mentioned, there has been a surge in law colleges, which has resulted in a high demand for qualified and competent academics in the field.

In regard to Government law colleges in the State of Tamil Nadu (Affiliated Law Colleges), recruitment for assistant professors is undertaken by the TRB (Teachers Recruitment Board) and the TNPSC (The Tamilnadu Public Service Commission) based on available vacancies. The minimum qualification required is an M.L degree with NET/SLET qualification. The recruitment process includes a department-wise examination consisting of 175 marks for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 25 marks for an interview. Based on the marks obtained, successful candidates can be appointed as Assistant Professors in any of the 13 Affiliated Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu, which holds the status of Group A, Gazetted rank Officer post with 7th pay commission salary specifications.

How should a law graduate prepare for such process?

Students can commence their preparation for the NET/SLET exam while pursuing their first year of M.L. and have the option to attempt the NET exam during their third semester. Start by familiarizing yourself with the UGC NET law syllabus. The syllabus will give you a clear understanding of the topics you need to cover for the exam. Develop a well-structured study plan that includes a daily or weekly schedule for covering all the topics in the syllabus. Allocate sufficient time for each subject and make sure to revise regularly. Gather relevant study materials, textbooks, and reference books to aid your preparation. You can also use online resources, previous year question papers, and mock tests. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, including the number of questions, types of questions, and marking scheme. This will help you manage your time during the actual exam. Concentrate on understanding the fundamental concepts of law, as the exam may test your in-depth knowledge. Solve previous years' question papers to get an idea of the exam's difficulty level and to identify common patterns in question types. Take mock tests and solve sample papers regularly to assess your preparation level and improve time management skills. Keep yourself updated with recent developments in legal matters and any changes in the law, as the exam may cover current affairs related to law.

As far as my own experience goes, I successfully cleared the NET in my fourth semester of M.L. and became eligible to be appointed as an assistant professor immediately after graduating.

The TRB-TNPSC examination demands a thorough understanding of your postgraduate subjects.

It is universally accepted that teachers require patience and a composed temperament, these qualities are required in manifold while dealing with law students, how do you prepare for your class and/or deal with your students?

Is it so? Haha, yes actually! Patience and a composed temperament are indispensable qualities in academia. I embarked on my academic journey immediately after completing my master's at the age of 23, and at 27, I entered the Tamil Nadu Government service as a Group A Officer. Throughout my career, I strive to evolve into a more composed and effective academician, continuously seeking self-improvement.

In my teaching approach, I emphasize interactive and engaging methods. At the beginning of each class, I allocate the initial ten minutes for a zero-hour discussion. For instance, in my Environmental Law class, I encourage students to capture pictures of environmental violations they encounter in their daily lives and bring them to the class for discussion. This approach not only instils legal principles but also fosters a deeper understanding of real-world environmental issues.

To move away from conventional teaching practices, I incorporate diverse tools and techniques. My teaching repertoire includes the use of PPTs, documentaries, and other multimedia resources to enhance the learning experience. Additionally, we actively analyse legal principles through discussions on current news articles from newspapers.

By adopting these innovative teaching methods, I aim to create a dynamic and participative learning environment that sparks students' interest and encourages critical thinking. As I continue to evolve as an academician, my commitment to shaping engaged and informed legal professionals remains unwavering.

Teaching the students of Government law college is truly fulfilling for me, especially since many of them come from underprivileged backgrounds. The knowledge we impart, no matter how little, serves as a great source of inspiration for them. Additionally, I take pride in nurturing and motivating them to participate in Moot court and other competitions, fostering their growth and confidence.

I am deeply grateful to the Director of Legal Studies, Prof. Dr. J. Vijayalakshmi madam, and, the Principal of The Chennai Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Pattaraiperumbudur, Prof. Dr. N. Kayalvizhi madam for providing me with this platform and unwavering support in all my endeavours aimed at benefiting the students.

Do you have any advice to your fellow faculties and/or your students?

To my students, you have chosen a wonderful profession that offers not only fantastic career opportunities but also one that is deeply connected to society. As you embark on this journey, I encourage you to mould yourselves wisely. Embrace the foundational knowledge by reading from bare acts. Study the subjects with critical and deep understanding, as it will empower you to make a meaningful impact in the legal field and serve the community with competence and compassion. Remember that the journey of learning is continuous, and by staying curious, diligent, and dedicated, you will grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the responsibility of being legal professionals with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice. Your dedication to the law will undoubtedly make a positive difference in the lives of many.

To my fellow teachers, while I may not be eligible to offer advice at this point, I'd like to share a line from my mentor that has always resonated with me.

“Your dedication, passion, and commitment to your students' growth will leave a lasting legacy in shaping the future of society.”

Thank you for your time and your patient questioning. It was highly engaging and brought back memories. I extend my best wishes to the editors of this journal for continued success and their dedication to providing excellent service in the years ahead. May the Almighty (Glory Be Upon Him) bless us all.

We profulsely thank you for your time. We are sure that young law graduates and law students would benefit from this interview. We hope that your contribution to the legal education produces good human beings and lawyers! Our best wishes!