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| Sunday, 09 March 2003 |
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University students and staff relationships Excerpts of a letter to all Deans, Professors, Heads of Departments and Lecturers of University of Sri Jayawardenapura (SUJP) by Vice Chancellor Senevi Epitawatta expressing his personal views. In this letter I wish to add some key points to your prevailing knowledge, with the intention, that these views may act as catalysts and enrich your thinking further about the topic. Thereby, you will be able to focus your opinions in a sharper manner on your very important task within our university as a teacher and the nature of relationships to be established with students. This is a challenge that no SUJP academic can escape from without prompt and heartfelt response to. Hence, we should initiate dialogues to find appropriate positive actions and ponder on the nature of positive changes the university environment needs urgently. As soon as they are implemented, review the output as indicators as soon as possible, and where necessary re-adjust the application procedure and actions of implementation for better and the best results. This is definitely a cyclic process, therefore active involvement is necessary. This is an essential obligation-commitment at this time for violence, is alive and active and is aiming to create much severe damage in the area where our responsibilities, interests and commitments lie. Any ideology or mentality which practices any form of destructive acts, always uses some mode of violence and sets up fear, phobia, worry, doubt, emptiness in other minds. By doing so they coerce others to their side and propagate their ideologies, to destroy a wholesome environment. What are the conducive psychological factors among university students that attract them to take part in the type of actions I have highlighted here? How has this attitude become stronger during the recent past? What are the steps we have taken either to weaken or uproot it from within the university sub culture? Why have we not been able to achieve such objectives having identified some actions as negative elements? One can ask a number of questions, and record replies and ask for a result-oriented analysis and to compile a very professional report. Here I like to tell you that while it is good to do so, each of us has an enormous responsibility as university academics to take some immediate action to remove violence from the university sub culture, which is our domain, and to generate non-violence and humane feelings among the university community. Here I must state the fact that students are very important and the most valued component of the system. The future of our Motherland will depend on them. They belong to another generation that is the bridging element between the Past and the Future. What are the very essential beliefs, good ideas, customs, actions and relationships, behaviour patterns and leadership etc., that will assure a stable and better life for them? What are the new introductions or earmarked habits, customs, values to be uprooted during the time of contact with us. In other words what are the best values we can cultivate in the students mind, which could last forever direct their actions and enrich their quality of life. Can we easily achieve this goal without specific action oriented ideas? If our actions and thoughts (mind) are not coherent but very regional or site specific then contradictions will arise. What are the universal human qualities and values we can promote? To achieve this concise and ultimate goal. What are the actions we can inculcate? When I was an undergrad at Vidyodaya University some of our staff members organized many events to enrich staff student contacts in a variety of ways. The Department of Biology had one formula while the Department of Geography had another. All these formulas were based on student friendly approaches. Reawakening my own memories I proudly say that those old methods (marga) can be classified as positive. The results were engendered by very effective routines. I remember all the details because of the very many positive experiences and orientations I gains through participation in those activities. A very short account of two events can be given but no comprehensive account is possible as those occasions and experiences are attached to feeling and sentiment. There was a decision of the academic staff members of the Geography department to develop closer relationships with students aiming to improve the students. Accordingly Dr. N. P. Perera was named as my Counsellor and Guide. Soon after that decision he invited me to his house for tea. The invitation itself was very formal (a card typed, enclosed in a white envelope, addressing me as Mr.) He and his wife received us at the doorstep at 3 p.m. It was a well-planned occasion. At the beginning I was a bit reserved but as time passed, with snacks, questions and answers, and ice cream I felt relaxed in a very warm and comfortable atmosphere. I felt confident. As a result I too began to take part in the friendly discussion and voiced my opinions. There was a friendly atmosphere and we were able to discuss our doubts and disagreements on various matters, about education, and the nature of higher studies in UK, our culture and its superiority, success and drawbacks of life etc. This 'tea ceremony' was over at about 8 p.m. with good wishes and the unforgettable words from Dr. Perera and Mrs. Perera "Please do come again." From that moment I felt that there was a person with whom I could discuss my ideas and problems very openly. I used to discuss many important matters with my Guide and gained a correct understanding and reasonable views from him whenever he was free and relaxed. I can remember another occasion where I learnt a further set of life success rules at the "Spend the day at Meegoda" organised by Mr. Karunanayaka (the present Professor of Geography). In general it was an environment where we enjoyed our freedom but "THEY" were there. Through observation, participation and listening to their stories I expanded my register, since then, even today I refine my thoughts and actions with reference to that "spend the day." I have many such good of memories not only from Sri Lanka but also during my stay in UK about how staff student relationships influence and enrich qualities and styles of someone's life. I stress the fact that there are many such remnants of the lost world, of studentship. Re-establishing student staff relationships at the universities should be given high priority always. The conditions that prevail at our university demand its establishment without delay. |
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