The School of Law at BRAC University, in partnership with Jessup Bangladesh, the International Law Students Association (ILSA), Hearth Bangladesh, and the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (DOJ-OPDAT), proudly inaugurated a two-day Jessup workshop on Mooting and Advocacy titled “May It Please the Court: Unlocking the Essentials of Mooting and Advocacy” on November 1, 2024.
Hosted at BRAC University’s Merul Badda campus, the workshop welcomes law students from 35 universities across Bangladesh, providing them with essential skills training in advocacy and international-standard mooting. The Jessup Workshop is a two-day intensive training program designed for law students interested in participating in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
The opening ceremony featured esteemed Chief Guest Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan, Honorable Advisor for the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Ministry of Industry, People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Notable guests included Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, Pro Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University; Mr. Rahul Kale, Resident Legal Advisor at the U.S. Embassy, Dhaka; and Prof. K. Shamsuddin Mahmood, Dean of the School of Law at BRAC University. Joining them were key figures from supporting organizations: Porob Naser Siddique, Director of Hearth Bangladesh; Arifa Chowdhury, National Administrator of the Jessup Bangladesh Qualifying Rounds 2025; and Nuran Choudhury, National Coordinator of ILSA Chapters.
In his address, Pro Vice-Chancellor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz urged students to pursue their legal careers with unwavering integrity and responsibility, underscoring that success in advocacy is rooted in a strong ethical foundation. “As future leaders of Bangladesh, you must resist compromising your principles. The true impact of your work depends on honesty and dedication to justice,” he stated, encouraging students to take their place as champions of positive change in society.
Chief Guest Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan also spoke, reflecting on the pivotal role of young leaders in the country’s development. “Bangladesh stands at a critical point in its journey, and it is our youth who must lead the way to progress. Mooting and advocacy are not only skills but tools to establish the justice required to build the Bangladesh of our dreams,” he remarked.
The workshop presents students with an exceptional chance to learn from veteran legal practitioners, refining their mooting techniques and deepening their understanding of advocacy and legal analysis. Through international collaboration, BRAC University remains committed to elevating legal education in Bangladesh, shaping future lawyers capable of excelling on the global stage.
The closing ceremony of the workshop was held on November 2, 2024. The event was graced by Mr. Md. Asaduzzaman, Attorney General of Bangladesh, as the Chief Guest, with Mr. Eric Geelan, Political and Economic Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, as the Guest of Honour. Among the esteemed attendees were Dr. David Dowland, Registrar, BRAC University, Dr. Rubana Ahmed, Proctor, BRAC University, and Md. Mostafa Hosain, Assistant Professor, School of Law, BRAC University.
Messenger/EHM
