Law School forges new links with Asia

MURDOCH Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich and the Rector of Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia, Dr Ir Paruntu, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at developing legal, academic and research activities between Murdoch University and Sam Ratulangi University.

Professor Yovich said 18 delegates from Sam Ratulangi University in Manado, Indonesia including the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Adolf Dapu had visited Murdoch to witness the signing of this important MOU, the first the School of Law has had with an Asian institution.

"This is a significant event for Murdoch University," said Professor Yovich.

"Sam Ratulangi University’s Faculty of Law is Indonesia’s largest, with more than 2000 law students and 200 staff members, and eastern Indonesia’s centre of academic and intellectual excellence.

"Only this year, Sam Ratulangi University began Indonesia’s first LL.M. (Master of Laws) in human rights, and has special interests in areas such as intellectual property, environmental and coastal resource law, human rights and commercial transactions."

Dr Fernand de Varennes, Senior Lecturer in the School of Law at Murdoch, said he hoped the signing of the MOU would create new research, teaching and exchange opportunities for the School of Law and other university programs such as veterinary sciences, engineering, business and intellectual property.

Dr de Varennes has also visited Sam Ratulangi University to teach in their LL.M. program.