Bhutanese student tops LLM from University of Pacific

Scoring 3.77 out of 4.00 in CGPA, Mr. Sonam Dendup, a practicing lawyer from Bhutan, topped LLM in Human Rights course (UMSAILS) for the academic year 2022.

About his success, Sonam said, “I am honoured and privileged to have topped the course despite lots of competition. “However, the competitive environment and motivation kept me on toes to put extra effort to excel and achieve the best.”

I am very thankful to the university and faculties for their unconditional support and help during my stay in Bangladesh,” he added.

Of course, Bangladeshi people were very friendly and helpful which will be imprinted profoundly in my memory for a very long time.

Sonam was pursuing Master of Laws under the scholarship of the South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) and UNESCO Madanjeet Singh South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (UMSAILS) at University of Asia Pacific.

The scholarship is awarded to all member states of SAARC. Sonam said he has chosen the University of Asia Pacific primarily because of its robust education system that caters the need of students aspiring to excel their professional growth in law. “Bangladesh is one of the countries in South Asia that value high regard and respect for Human Rights,” said Sonam.

The other reason for opting the university is the dedicated team of seasoned faculty who always make a great impact on professional and personal transformation of students enrolled in law courses. Prior to his enrolment in the LLM programme, Sonam was running a legal firm in Bhutan with ten other lawyers and helping the people who needed legal related services. It was one of the pioneers that set standards for private legal firms in Bhutan.

Following his return from the studies, Sonam is actively engaged with people of his constituency in seeking their support for a seat in Nation Assembly. He is contesting for the upcoming election as a candidate for Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, party of the current ruling government led by Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering who was a medical student in Bangladesh. He said “My interest to become a legislator or parliamentarian is to implement what I have learnt, and help in nation building through putting proper laws and systems in place so that people are serve at best.”