Yogyakarta, 7 February 2026 — Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition 2026 National Rounds, held from 5–8 February 2026 at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. The Competition, organized globally by the International Law Students Association (ILSA), was conducted in Indonesia by the Indonesian Society of International Law (“INASIL”) and co-hosted by Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (Jessup) is the world’s largest moot court competition, involving approximately 700 law schools from more than 100 countries and jurisdictions. The Competition simulates a fictional dispute between states before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. In Indonesia, the 2026 Jessup National Rounds brought together 22 teams from universities across the country. Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) participated in the National Rounds with a delegation consisting of Zaira Az Zahra, Htet Htet Hlaing, Bilal Al Kausar, Yasmina Zain, and Putri Balqis.

The competition is conducted through several stages. The Written Phase involved the preparation and submission of Applicant and Respondent Memorials. This was followed by the Oral Pleadings, which simulated proceedings before a panel of judges. The National Rounds served as the national selection stage for teams advancing to the international rounds.

The 2026 International Law Moot Court Competition centered on a fictional dispute entitled The Case Concerning the Gordian Gorge. The case addressed core issues of public international law, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples, third-State intervention before the International Court of Justice, extradition and the principle of ne bis in idem, as well as State immunity and the responsibility of State-owned enterprises.

Universitas Syiah Kuala’s participation in the 2026 Jessup National Rounds demonstrated the university’s support in providing students with opportunities to engage directly in the study and practice of public international law.