Department of Law and Justice at Presidency University has won the prestigious IBA Spirit of the Competition Award at the IBA ICC Moot Court Competition 2025, held in the Hague, Netherlands from 11-18 June.
The moot court competition featured participation from 88 teams representing 45 countries. Law students from all across the world argued in simulated court proceedings modeled after the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Presidency University team comprising of Syed Mahin, Md. Mahbubur Rahman Sohag, Sonali Rajbongshi, Dipannita Chakma—represented Bangladesh as the country’s sole delegation, marking a historic milestone. The team was mentored by Lecturer Sal Sabil Chowdhury as the Coach and Md. Rafi Ibn Masud as the Assistant Coach who relentlessly guided them through the rigorous academic and practical preparations.
For the first time in history the International Bar Association (IBA) has introduced the Spirit of the Competition Award, which recognizes the values of integrity, perseverance, and collaboration. Presidency University team has won the award as an acknowledgment of their outstanding commitment, performance, and spirit, making Bangladesh the first country to win this award.
To celebrate this prestigious accomplishment, Presidency University organized a “Meet the Press” event on June 29, 2025, at Hotel La Vinci’s Monalisa Hall in Dhaka. During the event, Md. Deedarul Islam Bhuiyan, Head of the Department of Law, stated,
“This achievement is not just a personal milestone for our students but a significant victory for legal education in Bangladesh. It sets a powerful example for the next generation of law students.”
He added that the win was a testament to what is possible when young talent is supported with structured guidance and academic mentorship.
Lecturer Sal Sabil Chowdhury highlighted the immense dedication shown by the students, noting that despite various challenges and limitations, the team maintained resilience, discipline, and focus throughout the competition.
Dean of the School of Law, Mr. Mohammad Azharul Islam, expressed pride in the students’ success, remarking,
“Our students have proven their excellence in a highly competitive and challenging field on an international stage. Their achievement will continue to inspire future law professionals in Bangladesh.”
The university extended its sincere appreciation to the International Bar Association (IBA) and Leiden University for organizing and hosting the competition and for providing such a valuable platform to young legal minds from around the world.
This international success comes at a time when the Department of Law and Justice at Presidency University is still in its early stages. Officially launched in July 2024 following approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the department is already making waves. The program not only emphasizes classroom instruction but also fosters student growth through co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
Each semester, the department admits 40 students into its LL.B. and LL.M. programs, ensuring a close-knit, quality-driven academic environment. Currently, 119 students are enrolled in the LL.B. program and 69 in the LL.M. programs.
The faculty comprises top-tier graduates from the University of Dhaka, including Dean Mohammad Azharul Islam and Head Md. Deedarul Islam Bhuiyan, both completing their LL.B. and LL.M. from Dhaka University with distinction. Other faculty members also hold similar academic excellence.
This early and extraordinary achievement has not only brought international recognition to Bangladesh but also set a new standard of ambition and possibility for students, educators, and legal professionals across the country.