Discussing contributions and relations between civil society and universities in the light of changing times was the motivation behind the public lecture held by Dr Rajesh Tandon on: “University-Civil Society Relations: Partnership of Respect?”
The lecture was held last Tuesday (30 May 2017) evening at the Durban University of Technology at DUT’s Hotel School Conference Centre.
Dr Tandon said there were difficulties between formerly organised universities and civil society. He emphasised the importance of knowing how our society was initially systematised in the early years.
“While most of you understand what University means, it is also vital to have an understanding of civil society. The notion of University in a modern era is about 300 to 400 years old. Give or take in our societies (African/Asian) contemporary form of a university is about 200 years more or less. I want to raise questions on our understanding of what civil society is. The concept and practice of self-help existed in our society centuries years ago. If it had not existed our society would have died,” he added.
Dr Tandon reiterated that issues of literacy and getting access to education were always pressing issues. He said there were ambiguities and confusion about where we came from. However, he also added that hostility between the world of academia and society was more about individuals but the discussions evolved around the entire community. He further added that there was a need for an engaged stance that opens up a plethora of opportunities for University-civil society partnerships.
“What modern universities have done is to offer a new meaning to learning opportunities. The primary role of universities is producing and reproducing of the elite. You prepare elites to govern. The mindset of elites is historically elite building elites, preparation of elites and production of elites. Education can domesticate people. If you make me believe I am inferior, I will behave as an inferior being,” said Dr Tandon.
He also said the role of civil society was to manifest in its myriad in order to help universities approach its missions in effective and meaningful ways.
Pictured: Dr Rajesh Tandon talking about university and civil society relations at a recent public lecture.
Noxolo Memela
