What is the IPBA Scholarship Programme?

The IPBA Scholarship Programme was originally established in honour of the memory of Mr. M.S. Lin of Taipei, who was one of the founders and a Past President of the IPBA. Today it operates to bring to the IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference lawyers who would not otherwise be able to attend and who would both contribute to, and benefit from attending, the IPBA Annual Conference. The Scholarship Programme is also intended to endorse the IPBA’s mission to develop the law and its practice in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, the scholarships are principally funded by:

• a very generous contribution by the family of M.S. Lin;
• the Japan Fund, established and supported by lawyers in Japan to honour IPBA’s accomplishments since its founding; and
• the Host Committee of the Annual Meeting and Conference in Vancouver, Canada, 2014.

During the conference, the Scholars will enjoy the opportunity to meet key members of the legal community of the Asia-Pacific region through a series of unique and prestigious receptions, lectures, workshops, and social events. Each selected Scholar will be responsible to attend the Conference in its entirety, to make a brief presentation at the Conference on a designated topic, and to provide a report of his/her experience to the IPBA after the conference. The program aims to provide the Scholars with substantial tools and cross-border knowledge to assist them in building their careers in their home country. Following the conference, the Scholars will enjoy 3 years of IPBA membership and will be invited to join a dedicated social networking forum to remain in contact with each other while developing a network with other past and future Scholars.

Who is eligible to be an IPBA Scholar?

There are two categories of lawyers, as listed below,: who are eligible to become an IPBA Scholar:

[1] Lawyers from Developing Countries
        To be eligible, the applicants must:

• be a citizen of and be admitted to practice in Laos, Cambodia,  Myanmar, Mongolia, Bangladesh, or the Pacific Islands;
• be fluent in both written and spoken English (the conference  language); and
• currently maintain a cross-border practice or desire to become engaged in cross- border practice.

[2] Young Lawyers
     To be eligible, the applicants must:

• be under 35 years of age at the time of application and have less than seven years of post-qualification experience;
• be fluent in both written and spoken English (given this is the conference language);
• have taken an active role in the legal profession in their respective countries;
• currently maintain a cross-border practice or desire to become engaged in cross-border practice; and
• have published an article in a reputable journal on a topic related to the work of one of our committees or have provided some other objective evidence of committed involvement in the profession.

Preference will be given to applicants who would be otherwise unable to attend the conference because of personal or family financial circumstances, and/or because they are working for a small firm without a budget to allow them to attend.  

Former Scholars will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances.
 

How to does one apply to become an IPBA Scholar?

Applications for the Scholarship Program to attend the following year's conference will be posted to the IPBA web site, usually in May or June, of the application year.

What happens once a candidate is selected?

The following procedures will apply after selection:

1. IPBA will notify each successful applicant that he or she has been awarded an IPBA Scholarship. The notification will be provided at least two months prior to the opening start of the IPBA Annual Conference. Unsuccessful candidates will also be notified.
2. Airfare will be agreed upon, and reimbursed or paid for by, and accommodation will be arranged and paid for by the IPBA Secretariat after consultation with the successful aapplicants.
3. A liaison appointed by the IPBA will introduce each Scholar to the IPBA and help the Scholar obtain the utmost benefit from the IPBA Annual Conference.
4. Each selected scholar will be responsible to attend all of the Conference, to make a very brief presentation at the Conference on a designated topic and to provide a report of his/her experience to the IPBA after the Conference. (Subject to later decision by the IPBA.)