Professor M. Bayo Amole

THE IDEA OF A UNIVERSITY
Presented by Prof. Bayo Amole May 11th, 2007.

INTRODUCTION
How this talk is organized and Why?
Preliminary Conceptual Remarks
Discourse on the Idea of a University: The Main Concerns
The University as a Community

PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL REMARKS
The purpose of this talk is to think and rethink the university
The idea of the university is old and therefore a long tradition has been established. A wealth of experience means good practices abound it is possible to discern the core purposes and characteristics of a university and separate these from the layers of historical/societal conditions that challenge these values
The university is essentially a secular institution. What then is a Christian University?

DISCOURSE ON THE IDEA OF A UNIVERSITY:MAIN CONCERNS
The University: Some definitions and their implications
The Universal Nature of the University.
The University and its Universe of Studies/Disciplines and Scholars
The Central Business of the University: The Production and Dissemination of Knowledge

THE UNIVERSITY: SOME DEFINITIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS
John Newman’s famous definition of the university as ‘School of Universal Learning’; ‘…school of knowledge of every kind, consisting of teachers and learners from every quarter’; ‘…a place for the circulation of thought, by means of personal intercourse, through a wide extent of country.’
Dictionary definition: ‘…an institution at the highest level of education where you can study for a degree or do a research’.

SOME IMPLICIT IDEAS IN THE DEFINITIONS
The University is universal
Its standards cut across nations
The university harbors a/the universe of studies
Teachers and students are sought from the entire globe
The core business of the university is the production and dissemination of knowledge

CORE DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS AND MAIN PURPOSES OF THE UNIVERSITY
The advancement of knowledge through basic research and creative works
The extension of knowledge through liberal education
The dissemination of knowledge through publication and civic education (Rosenstone S.J)
The advancement of knowledge through basic research

BASIC RESEARCH
Understanding of underlying principles and laws
Development of new concepts theories and laws
The advancement of knowledge through Applied research

APPLIED RESEARCH
meets an immediate practical need usually
having a tone of urgency associated with it
associated with immediate financial reward
highly visible and commands public accolades
The extension of knowledge through liberal / utilitarian education

Liberal Education
directed at enhancing the ability to think and understand principles underlying physical social and natural phenomena

Utilitarian Education
Vocational training-acquisition of a specialized set of skills
Preparation for the job market
Appealing on account of economic development
Has a ring of ‘progress’ associated with it
The dissemination of knowledge
The dissemination of knowledge through publication and civic education
Obligatory: to sustain the free flow of ideas and research findings
Subjecting ideas to public scrutiny and peer review
Civil society must be engaged by the university: forums must be created for this
Levels of publication need to be recognized ranging from working papers to specialized international journals
It is the duty of the university to connect the society with the research results where ever applicable

THE UNIVERSITY AS A COMMUNITY

THE UNIVERSITY AS A PLACE
The university is place specific.
In an ideal situation all members of the community should be in one location.
The challenges of the digital world, virtual community, open university etc.

THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE UNIVERSITY
The academic culture
Members of the university community include a broad range of persons; academic administrative technical and perhaps other service staff
The university is traditionally organized around its major disciplines; departments, faculties, institutes, centers, colleges all in some hierarchy
traditionally academic staff have been organized in their disciplinary base according to specialization and in relation to the pursuit of the production of knowledge

THE GOVERNANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY
The relevance and importance of autonomy
The committee system and Decision making
The challenge of the corporate system

THE PHYSICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE UNIVERSITY
The university Campus
Importance of the physical facilities
Between the Ivory Tower and the Market Place: A matter of Symbolism?