Bigger role for universities in national development

*Universities should be peaceful, respectful places

*Should be useful to society, ensuring the well-being of citizen and nation

by Srinath FERNANDO

The first step in finding a solution to any problem, is to understand the problem in a manner that will help find solutions to the problem. A problem arises as a result of causes and their effects. When we focus on the problem that has arisen in the universities and the academic staff of the universities, we see that it is primarily a problem involving people, both collectively as well as individually.

It is essential to identify separately the parties to the problem and those who are affected by the problem. The two main parties to the problem appear to be disagreeing with each other, as a result of unwillingness to compromise on the matters raised.

On the surface the main issue appears to be the salaries of the academics in comparison to other government salaries. This situation has caused numerous hardships to those who are not directly involved in the conflict, primarily the students, their parents, and those who are dependent on the smooth functioning of the university system for their livelihood and sustenance.

The main parties to the problem are the Association of University Teachers representing a membership of university academic staff in all universities (FUTA) and the university system and the Government of Sri Lanka. The stakeholders are students, parents of students, teachers and staff who are not permanent members and non-members of FUTA, service providers to students, potential employers of students scheduled to pass out, professional bodies, both local and international and citizens of Sri Lanka.

University of Ceylon

During the period 1964/65 there was only one university, the University of Ceylon. Results of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Examination was the basis for the selection and entrance to the university.

Having changed the Senior School Certificate Examination to General Certificate in Education (GCE) (O/L), the Government changed the HSC to GCE (Advanced Level) Examination in 1964. On the results of the examination, many qualified to enter the University of Ceylon, mainly to the Arts Faculty. However since the vacancies were limited, the Government at the time decided to increase the intake to the Arts Faculty by setting up an additional Arts Faculty in Colombo.

In 1965 the students at the Peradeniya University clashed with the Police over some issues and ended up by burning the lodge occupied by the then Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor was removed by the Government. Subsequently, the government passed a Bill in Parliament and introduced the Higher Education Act. Prior to this the university was an autonomous body receiving grants from the Government. Needy students were provided with bursaries to complete their studies. Subsequently, the government increased the number of universities mainly in the provinces. At present there are about 15 universities.

There are many effects of the lack of university autonomy.

It is not possible for a student to enter a particular government university, even if she/he is qualified. Entrance to a particular faculty is determined by a commission.

A university does not take responsibility for the selection of students.

A particular faculty of a university is unable to select students on its own, so as to select the students who are best suited to follow the courses conducted by the faculty.

Filling of resulting vacancies for particular courses is done by the commission.

A university is not permitted to have their own selection criteria in selecting students.

Budgetary allocations for each university are handled by the commission, not by the particular university.

The members of the commission are appointed by the government, and they appear to have both administrative and financial control over the universities. Then one may ask, what is the function of a ‘Senate’ or the governing council of a university, and what is the role played by a Chancellor and a Vice Chancellor and the board of management, of a particular university?

As the roles of different bodies and positions have not been clearly defined and identified, there is much overlapping of work performed, as well as the responsibilities attached to the commission and particular universities.

Dialogue and discussion

There has to be a mechanism or methodology for regular dialogue and discussion between the government and the academics in a friendly and cordial environment, with due respect for each other. The university should be an open place to express views and to show concern regarding matters pertaining to the society and the citizen.

In this context, it is extremely important that young undergraduates be trained in how to express themselves without hurting the feelings of others, in a non-violent and friendly manner. It is natural that people should have opposing views, but we must learn how to live with this.

The outcome of violence in universities reflects on the teaching and training as well as the administrative system. The universities which are the highest seats of learning should be peaceful and respectful places, in this country with our civilisation and humane culture. We have to be alert to the influx of violence and immoral concepts to the country and safeguard our universities.

It appears that the higher education system needs to be looked into and remedial measures taken. The important question is “Is the current system of centralised governance and administration of the university system” adequate and capable to manage the existing system? Is it sufficiently strong and robust to meet the changes and challenges, and withstand pressures which are directed to disrupt and demean our national asset and our heritage?

We must remember that the prime role of our universities is “to be of use to the society and ensure the well-being of our citizen and the nation”. Otherwise, the taxes collected from the citizen to maintain the universities will be a waste of money. Judging by the statement “The university should be a place which is more open than usual”, our universities do not appear to comply, since they function as closed entities.

Educational services

Do our universities contribute to the development of the society, not only by providing educational services, but also by getting involved in regional development: In my opinion, it appears that the services of local universities and expertise are not being adequately utilised. What is their contribution to national planning? We need to look into a better system to run our higher education system. This is the best opportunity to rectify anomalies, and remake the universities so that we can be proud of them.

Restructuring the existing higher education system could be carried out at two levels:

(a) Monitoring and quality management level by the government, and

(b) Autonomous functioning of a network of universities at provincial level headed by chancellor, vice-chancellor and a governing body acting in consultation with the governor of the province, in which the university is located.

There should be a contribution to the economy from the provinces. Last year, the Central Bank published the contribution by the provinces to the GDP. It showed a 40 percent contribution from the Western Province, while all other provinces showed a contribution of about 10-11 percent. This disparity is a result of the absence of public-business joint participation in the provinces.

Lack of human resources and expertise is one of the causes. Migration of the population to cities is another reason. What meaningful steps have we taken to make living conditions in the provinces attractive to make young graduates and experts to come to the provinces and settle down? These are the areas that citizens want both the government and the academics to focus on.

Developing and sustaining our society, which is “a unique ethnic mix”, is what the citizens expect from the main parties to the problem of academics and universities.

The inability to settle the dispute indicates that there might be inherent faults and shortcomings that had not been hitherto investigated in our highest seats of learning, the university system.

Then it becomes a prime duty of the citizens of this country to facilitate, improve and assist our universities so that they can continue as world class institutes. We should value our universities, and not let them down.

Therefore, this will be a good opportunity to make improvements to the university system. The single ‘University of Ceylon’ which commenced in the early fifties has come a long way to include over 15 universities and post-graduate institutes in the current system of higher education in our country, over a period of 60 years. We should be happy.

We should rely on local expertise and trust them. Conversely local experts will have to provide practical and valid advice so that the country gains from development projects implemented with borrowed capital. Both parties, the government and the academics should work together for the benefit of the country. As a nation we have a bad habit of not recognising and listening to local expertise.

Although there are many world recognised local experts, we do not work with them as teams. Universities also should take up the challenge of getting involved in national planning.

Recently we commemorated the anniversary of Mr. John Diandas, an expert in transport. After the commemorative lecture on ‘Bus Rapid Transport’, a member of the audience wanted to know whether the presentation was a proposal. The organisers pointed out that it was not so.

Although there have been many such presentations by local experts on many occasions and many seminars conducted, none of these have been taken up at a national level. This shortcoming is mainly due to the non-availability of a procedure and methodology to evaluate the usefulness and viability of such projects at the national level. This lapse is not due to the fault of academics, but our inability to make use of their talent, for the benefit of the nation. We don’t have the procedure and the methodology in place. Laying down procedures is a challenge that the government must accept.

National importance

Solving this problem of the universities is of national importance. The two main parties to the problem have a responsibility towards achieving a workable and sustainable solution to the problem. Also, it is in the national interest that both parties should focus on the problem with an open mind and with a will to make important changes for the better. Both parties to the problem should think out of the box, and be ready to give and take.

We, the citizens, have confidence and expect the two topmost institutions of the country, the government and the university academics to cooperate and arrive at a ‘win-win solution’ through consensus, so that our universities will be independent bodies, primarily working towards the benefit of the citizens of the provinces/regions and also helping national development.

An improved university system will enhance our reputation among the international community. With over 15 local universities, we can increase the intake by increasing facilities at the campuses. Academics cannot meet the capital expenditure on their own. It is the prime obligation of the government to provide education to its people.

That system of education should be able to plough back inputs of young competent graduates who will work to sustain the resources and the society of our country. That system should not cater to the migration of human resources, developed by the contribution of taxpayers’ money, to other countries who will be gaining from our efforts.

This brain drain takes place not because the young people do not like their country, but because we do not recognise their capability, and as they are unable to find decent jobs with an adequate pay.

An influx of foreign universities will not solve our problems. We have to manage our problems. Managing and retaining our developed human resources in our country is a matter not only for the government, but also for the business community. We should balance the well-being of the society with the business interests. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) alone is not enough; this concept is somewhat comparable with giving money to charity. Are we trying to cover our conscience? We must formulate our own system for the well-being of our society.

Our economy is a “Mixed -Economy” meaning a mixture of “business interests” and “public interests”. The economy has to be structured based on the extent of the mix, through a balance of business vs. public interests.

Therefore, we have to formulate our own system to suit our unique country with its unique location and environment, our unique ethnic mix of people, languages, beliefs and religions, our unique culture and heritage, and our own way of living, in peace and harmony as a non-violent nation with friendly relations with our neighbours and the international community. This is the challenge that has to be taken up by the highest levels of the country, the government and the academics.

Distinct compartments

I would like to quote from the Convocation Address delivered by Dr. E.W. Adikaram, Chancellor, Sri Jayawardenepura University Sri Lanka at the convocation of the university held on 13.12.1979.

“ It is not possible to divide man into two distinct compartments as physical and spiritual.

The man who does not have sufficient food to eat or a suitable house to live in has no time to think of spiritual matters. So is the man who has all physical comforts but is tormented in mind with his problems. Both suffer each with his own set of problems.

The aim of education should be to bring about a society of human beings who are happy physically as well as psychologically. The university is the institution that is capable of bringing into being such a happy society. But unfortunately, no university in any country in the world today seems to be performing this task satisfactorily.”

“The university is the highest educational institute in a country. The cleverest students in a country are the students in a university. Moreover, those who will occupy all the responsible positions in a country in the near future are the present university students.

“As such it is essential that university education should not be fragmentary, but should be aimed at developing all aspects of human life. It is because of present incompleteness of university education that there are people of very high academic qualifications, who are deceitful, cruel or of unworthy character. It is unfortunate that university education is limited to advancement of knowledge and has neglected the development of character. True education will simultaneously bring about both advancement of knowledge and advancement of character.”

Therefore, university education should be aimed at developing a complete person with skill, knowledge and character, for living a useful life in society.

In concluding this study, I quote from the University of Colombo, convocation address 2003 delivered by Professor J.B. Disanayake, on ‘Levels of Knowledge and Knowledge without Wisdom’.

“Education minus wisdom has also resulted in the increase of violence in modern society and particularly in educational institutions themselves.”

The learned Professor has explained how violence has caught up in educational institutes and describes how violence could be curbed.

We need to focus on the acquiring of wisdom through appropriately structured curricula including subjects like ‘moral training’ and ‘practical philosophy’ in our universities, so that we can lay the foundation for a peaceful country of non-violence.

The writer is a Consultant to the Department of Transport and Logistics, University of Moratuwa.