Vandana Beessoo

Biography

Vandana Beessoo has navigated through the realms of higher education and professional practice with a fervent dedication to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals and advancing the field through rigorous scholarship and innovative teaching methodologies.

She completed her LLB Honours from the University of London in 2009, a foundational experience that laid the groundwork for her pursuit of knowledge and professional development. With a thirst for deeper understanding and specialization, she furthered her studies with an LLM in International Corporate and Financial Law from the University of Wolverhampton in 2014, a journey that not only broadened her expertise but also honed her analytical and critical thinking skills.

Recognizing the profound impact of educators in shaping the minds and careers of students, she sought to contribute to the academic landscape through teaching. Her commitment to education was further solidified upon completing a Postgraduate Certificate of Higher Education from Middlesex University in 2017. The pursuit of knowledge continued as she embarked on a PhD in Law at Middlesex University, delving into a comparative analysis of the concept of Arbitrability under English, French, and Mauritian laws—a research endeavor that positions herself at the forefront of scholarly discourse in the field.

Throughout my career, I have been privileged to serve as a Lecturer in Law at Middlesex University (Mauritius Campus) and as a Part-Time Lecturer at Manchester University, where I have imparted knowledge across a range of subjects, from Public Law to International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration. These roles have allowed me to mold the intellectual and professional growth of countless students, fostering an environment of critical inquiry and robust debate.

She has completed her foundational assessment within International Arbitration and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Beyond teaching, she have actively engaged in curriculum development, notably serving as the Programme Coordinator for the LLM Programme in International Business Law at Middlesex University. She launched the Mauritius Arbitration Academy in 2021 and has led several projects such as ratifying an MOU with the leading Arbitral Institutions such as the Mauritius International Arbitration Centre.

My research interests span the intricacies of Arbitrability, including its implications in the emerging sphere of digital currency and its intersection with insolvency laws. In a bid to bridge the gap between theory and practice, I founded the Mauritius Arbitration Academy, a platform dedicated to equipping aspiring arbitrators with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to excel in a global context.

Leadership, both within and outside the confines of academia, has been a hallmark of my career. From guiding groundbreaking research to engaging with the public and professional communities on matters of International Commercial Arbitration, my efforts have been aimed at not only advancing the academic discourse but also contributing to the broader societal understanding of legal issues. The objectives of the MAA (Mauritius Arbitration Academy) is to bridge theory with practice with the assistance of world renowned arbitrators.

Teaching

Vandana has been teaching Equity and Trust on the undergraduate programme for the past 8 years , Alternative Dispute Resolution for a period of 7 years and Public law for 6 years. She has been teaching core modules like Dissertation , International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration, English commercial law on the LLM programme. Over the years, Vandana has supervised most of the dissertations on Arbitration and Money laundering and most of the supervisee were awarded distinctions.