Murdoch University’s School of Law students will from next year have a unique opportunity to study for four weeks in one of Italy’s historical universities following the recent signing of an agreement with the Università di Macerata.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Faculty, Enterprise and International) Gary Martin’s signature to a formal agreement at a ceremony on Thursday 29 August 2008 sets into motion Murdoch University’s 2009 European Summer Law Program under which students can from mid-June complete up to three out of four law units (Comparative Law, European Union Law, International Intellectual Property Law, and Public International Law) as part of their law degree at Murdoch.

Describing the new Program as an example of how to complement the experience of Murdoch law students in an innovative way and better respond to the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly globalised world, the Deputy Vice Chancellor congratulated both the Dean of the School of Law, Professor Gabriël Moens, and the Director of the Program, Dr Fernand de Varennes, for their initiative and efforts in developing this Program.

The initial group of 34 LLB/JD law students will be able to study in the setting of one of Europe’s oldest universities – and in one of the most picturesque towns in the Italian Marches not far from the Adriatic Sea. The teaching of law has a longstanding tradition in Macerata, since its Università had individuals studying law as far back as 1290. It has remained over the centuries a prestigious institution of higher education linked to distinguished jurists from all over Europe, links which Dean Moens emphasised Murdoch University’s law students could greatly benefit from.

Students who successfully complete the 2009 European Summer Law Program’s units may receive credits towards their degree. All grades awarded are Murdoch Law School grades. As part of the Program, students will also participate in other events organised for them, including the “Global North/South Murdoch Lecture Series” featuring a lecture by a distinguished international academic, and sessions with members of the Italian judiciary.

Contact:

Dr Fernand de Varennes
Program Director
European Summer Law Program
School of Law
Murdoch University
Murdoch, WA 6150

Tel: (08) 9360-6510
Email: f.devarennes@murdoch.edu.au