Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Law and Public Policy (CLPP) Juris Doctor (JD) student Wafa Trad, Class of 2019, recently embarked on a three-week summer course in ‘Public International Law’ at The Hague Academy of International Law on her initiative. 
She took part in a series of theoretical and practical course modules including visits to the permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and a number of diplomatic embassies.
Trad said, “Luckily, I was able to visit the ICJ twice in different capacities. During my first visit, which took place as part of the academic programme. However, my second visit coincided with the Order Reading in the case of Qatar vs. the UAE and this offered me a unique educational experience to witness the UN’s highest court hearing an international dispute. Observing the court in order, rather than reading about it in law books or journals, is an incomparable experience. I was able to fully grasp the court’s fundamental sense of reasoning and rationale.”
 “Gaining immediate exposure to in-depth academic discussions with judges, professors and lawyers, who represent the global elite of the legal profession, presented a unique chance to cultivate a more critical perspective that I plan to apply within my current and future studies of the law. As such, it was an incredible social experience that widened my professional network and perspective, while allowing me to gather inspiration for my forthcoming research at CLPP,” she added.
The first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, CLPP is an innovative legal training programme focused on interdisciplinary learning within a diverse educational environment that draws on real-market insights and practical placements to complement the student experience. 
As many alumni of the summer program have subsequently gone on to become well-known academics, lawyers and diplomats, Trad may soon join their ranks following her graduation from CLPP in May 2019.

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