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Universities must not constrict thoughts, impose ideologies: Naidu

Stressing that “rigid conformity” to particular beliefs is anathema to the spirit of academic freedom, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu…

Universities must not constrict thoughts, impose ideologies: Naidu

(Photo: twitter)

Stressing that “rigid conformity” to particular beliefs is anathema to the spirit of academic freedom, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said universities must be free from constriction of thoughts or imposition of ideologies.

Speaking at the 67th convocation of Panjab University in Chandigarh, Naidu said if someone is allowed to think without any restriction, the individual is well on the way to making tremendous headway

“A true university must be free from constriction of thoughts or imposition of ideologies. Rigid conformity to particular beliefs or constraints on thinking is anathema to the spirit of academic freedom,” Naidu said.

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“If a person is allowed to think and work in his field without any need to restrict his ideas, he is well on the way to making tremendous headway in that field, and this is what is provided by the free university in a democratic country,” he added.

Naidu further said means of communication that technology has provided should be used to facilitate social harmony and to cultivate a culture of healthy and civilized discussion on many of the pressing problems such as class and gender inequalities.

“The time has come to address the challenges in education and there is a need to turn the system around, including aspects of curriculum and evaluation, towards critical thinking rather than borrowing,” he said.

“The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for life, which does not bring out the strength of character, spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion – is it worth the name,” he added.

Naidu said the benefit of education is lost, if we have degrees, and have a way of life which indulges in blind consumerism or outdated social practices.

“The degree does not really contribute to the quality of life, if educated people, especially women, do not speak up for their rights, tolerate or even practice injustices such as female foeticide and violence,” he said.

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