Among these experts is Prof. Agatha Rockson, a legal scholar and professor from Ghana who also works in the United Kingdom.
Speaking to IGIHE, Prof. Rockson shared that she first visited ILPD in February 2024 while accompanying her law students from Ghana, who were studying Rwanda's justice system. This visit introduced her to ILPD's operations, which she greatly admired.
Prof. Rockson, who teaches law to undergraduate and postgraduate students in universities in both the UK and Ghana, stated that she came to ILPD to teach Common Law.
She remarked, 'ILPD feels like an African institution. It hosts students from many countries, and teaching here is a blessing. The students themselves share diverse knowledge and experiences from their home countries, enriching the learning process.'
She added that teaching students with backgrounds in Civil Law enhances her own knowledge through discussions comparing the two legal systems, which she finds enriching. She also noted that ILPD leaves a positive and unforgettable impression, one she is eager to share with other legal scholars across Africa.
A major benefit of ILPD is the opportunity it provides students to network with peers from other countries, fostering confidence and creating lasting connections.
This teaching approach, which involves bringing in international experts, is widely appreciated by ILPD students. They see it as an honor and a chance to broaden their horizons.
Dorothy Batamuliza, one of ILPD's students, told IGIHE that learning from experienced international professors in Common Law gives them confidence to compete on a global stage.
'These opportunities allow us to study law in a comprehensive manner, interacting with top legal professionals, and essentially pave the way for us to work abroad confidently,' she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Ange Umutoniwase, who noted that beyond teaching, these professors help students establish connections with legal practitioners from distant countries, acting as excellent ambassadors who can provide assistance abroad.
'These professors teaching Common Law often come from the U.S. or Europe. When we meet someone teaching in London, for instance, they guide us on how to navigate such environments if we ever work there, ensuring we can operate without major challenges,' Umutoniwase explained.
Dr. Yves Sezirahiga, Deputy Director in charge of Academics and Research at ILPD, emphasized the institution's commitment to continuing the recruitment of expert law professors.
'This is part of ILPD's mission to build a robust and high-quality legal education system, ultimately contributing to a resilient justice system in Rwanda and Africa as a whole,' he said.
IGIHE
