The University’s Role in Development

Abstract

Universities are always a powerful and creative hub of ideas, innovations and inventions. As factories of knowledge, universities disseminate knowledge, values and culture. The economy centered capitalist ideology considers Universitys major role in terms of development of technology, talent and tolerance. To achieve these three objectives, the capitalist order invests in higher education to improve quality of life, economic productivity and maximization of profit margin. Globalization of economy, in the final analysis appears to stand for control and monopoly multinationals network in economy, media, education and culture. While fully aware of its role in economic development, university as a seat of learning and producer of knowledge has to take first things first without minimizing the importance of technology it should address the primary issue of purpose of knowledge or purpose of life. Higher education should, first and foremost serve the purpose and objective of life. Economic development, technology, enhancement of talent and building of tolerance, are directly linked with the purpose of life. This paper argues that a holistic education paradigm can achieve this objective better than the existing utilitarian educational paradigm, exported, in the name of globalization, to the so-called developing world. This paper makes an effort to highlight basic features of a holistic education paradigm based on the global ethical values of Islam.

IIUC Studies Vol.9 December 2012: 11-16