Kohima: Ashraf Rehman, a policy researcher from Dimapur, has made history. The World Law Student Association appointed him to judge their 2026 international debate. He is the first person from Northeast India to land this role. The event takes place on July 21, 2026.
Rehman brings years of experience in competitive debating and energy policy research. He served as a judge for the Authors' Conclave National Debate earlier this year. His research appears in major journals, including work published by Sage. He also advocates for clean energy as a Green Fellow.
The appointment marks a personal milestone for the former student debater. He remembers freezing on stage during his first school competition. He eventually overcame those nerves to win regional and university titles. "I was truly happy and blessed to be honoured with this opportunity on an international platform," Rehman said.
The WLSA, based in Nigeria, organizes these events to link law students through rigorous dialogue. Rehman expects the upcoming session to test contestants on analytical reasoning, legal knowledge, and rebuttal speed. He plans to prioritize deep critical thinking over simple presentation skills when evaluating the students.
Rehman believes his selection highlights the untapped potential within Nagaland. He hopes his success motivates local students to pursue research and policy work. He remains focused on serving the region through better data and public service. "Work hard with honesty, and things will be great," he said.
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