Twelve candidates from the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the National University of Laos (NUOL) attended a new type of research seminar from 22-24 of October, 2019, with the first “Law Summer School” dedicated to legal research in Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province.
Under the framework of the Inter-University Cooperation Project between Luxembourg and Laos, a delegation from the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance from the University of Luxembourg was welcome by Laos by NUOL’s Faculty of Law and Political Science from October 21-25, 2019.
The University of Luxembourg and Faculty of Political Science (FLP) organised the seminar with the Vice-Dean of the FLP, Associate Professor Bounthieng Phommachanh and University of Luxembourg Professor Stefan Braum chairing the event.
Participants publicly presented their research projects in English and were given feedback and guidance by a panel from the University of Luxembourg including Pr. Stefan Braum, Dr. Perrine Simon (Liaison Officer), Dr. Relja Radovic and Ms. Nicole Citeroni and Ms. Loren Jolly. The selected topics were all very important for Laos PDR, relating to environment and foreign investments, legal aid, access to justice as well as family and labour law. Candidates engaged in active discussion with their peers for the first time. A repeat of this rewarding experience is planned for 2022.
Since 2017, the University of Luxembourg has actively cooperated in the field of legal higher education with the NUOL by organising capacity-building activities and the exchange of lecturers through its Liaison Officer based in Vientiane.
Since August 2018, that Liaison Officer role has been undertaken by Dr. Perrine Simon, who manages the operations of the cooperation project between the two universities.
Dr. Simon describes her role in Laos as “both exciting and challenging” as part of a research cooperation project seeking to build bridges between Uni.lu and Laos’ first university.
“This is a unique experience for academics to contribute expertise and legal methodologies to the building of a Law School in Vientiane – the country’s capital.”