KONVOKESYEN KE-19 USIM

| Majlis Konvokesyen ke-19 USIM 37 Penglibatan Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu secara khusus di Fakulti Syariah dan Undang-undang, USIM adalah hasil usaha dan jemputan Tun Dato’ Seri Dr. Zaki Tun Azmi yang merupakan mantan Ketua Hakim Negara dan kini merupakan salah seorang Pro-Canselor USIM. Sejak lantikan beliau pada tahun 2014 sebagai Profesor Adjung, Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu merupakan seorang yang sangat mudah didekati oleh warga Fakulti Syariah dan Undang-undang, baik pensyarah mahupun pelajar. Beliau sentiasa bersedia untuk memberi nasihat, menyumbang idea dan membantu fakulti dalam usaha menambah baik kualiti program, terutamanya program Sarjana Muda Undang-undang dan Syariah dengan Kepujian, dan sering mengadakan bicara ilmiah berkaitan isu-isu perundangan terkini bersama warga fakulti. Sesungguhnya, sumbangan dan sokongan beliau tidak ternilai sepanjang perjuangan pahit getir dan manis fakulti untuk menjadi sebuah sekolah undang-undang yang berjaya dan berdaya saing setaraf dengan fakulti undang- undang di institusi pengajian tinggi lain di Malaysia. Akhir kalam, pegangan hidup insan yang mempunyai ketokohan yang tinggi ini sangat wajar direnungkan: “Hargailah setiap proses kehidupan kerana itulah yang akan mematangkan kita. Tanamkan sikap positif, komited dan berintegriti dalam setiap amanah yang diberi, dan beri layanan yang baik kepada setiap golongan tanpa sebarang diskriminasi, kerana itu merupakan lambang keperibadian sebenar kita.” Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu is a renowned Advocate & Solicitor who needs no introduction among the legal fraternity. As the founding partner of Messrs. Shukor Baljit & Partners which he has helmed since 1997, Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu has handled numerous criminal proceedings as the lead counsel at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court of Malaysia. Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu’s keen interest in criminal law can be traced back to the 1950s, when his grandfather, who was originally from India was recruited to work in the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). The patriotic spirit of serving the country with RMP passed on to his father, which can be seen from his early service in Balai Pekeliling Kuala Lumpur before he was posted to several other states throughout Malaysia, until his last post at the Crime Department of the Police Contingent Headquarters in Penang. After completing his secondary school education at St Xavier’s Institution in Farquhar Street, George Town, Penang, Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu continued his journey and passion for knowledge and the law by pursuing his Bachelor of Law degree at the University of London. His dedication and resilience did not stop there, and he went on to obtain a Master of Law from Universiti Malaya, a Certificate of Legal Practice from the Legal Profession Qualifying Board and a Postgraduate Diploma in Shariah Legal Practice (DSLP) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Recently, on 8 October 2021, he added another feather in his cap by successfully completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Law degree at IIUM. His PhD thesis is entitled, “The Rights of the Child Who Comes into Conflict with the Law: A Legal Analysis”. As a lawyer with years of experience, Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu has and is representing clients in many important and high-profile cases. Currently he is handling a case of public interest under theWhistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711). This case marks a historic and significant moment in his legal career, as it is the first time a charge has been brought to court under the Act since it came into effect in 2010. Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu’s reputation and mastery as a prominent legal practitioner do not only echo in the hallowed halls of justice, but also in his written work on the law. He is an avid writer and his articles have been published in mainstream newspapers, for example the New Straits Times, and in reputable law