At the 49th convocation of the country's premier highest seat of learning, the University of Dhaka, President Abdul Hamid has voiced the mental anxiety at student politics shared by all its well-meaning citizens. Devoid of idealism such politics now rules the roost and this admittedly hurts the country's president. The first citizen of the country observes with pain that student politics has now slid into narrow and vested interests with partisan consideration getting the better of collective well-being.
Sure enough it is painful to see the gradual degeneration of student politics at this university-one that once acted as the cradle of national politics. In fact Dhaka University's students distinguished their politics by spearheading all the national movements including the Language Movement and the Liberation War. Few student communities in world history can boast such excellent role in national emancipation and struggle for democracy. Even during the movement against autocracy in independent Bangladesh, students could do enough justice to its glorious legacy. Yet it must be admitted that the rot began immediately after the country's independence.
Students are sure to blame for giving in to all kinds of temptation but it is the crafty and wicked politicians or military-turned politicians who spoiled a highly talented corps of students. The new generation of student leaders was lured into debasement and moral degradation. So pervasive has been the infiltration of money and muscle power in the entire system of student politics that the top leaders become millionaires before completion of their education at the university. The greater the nuisance value they wield, the better for party interests.
No wonder, therefore, internecine feuds now make more and graver news than inter-party clashes. Thuggery rather than study seems to be the objective for the political elements among students to shine. Even students disinterested in today's politics fall victim to violence triggered by overzealous student cadres. This convocation indirectly brought home a truth -one that concerns excellence in examinations. An overwhelming majority of students, who obtained gold medals for academic results, were girl students. Maybe, this is due to the girl students' less involvement with politics and in activities that fatten their male counterparts' pockets.
In this connection the emphasis laid by convocation speaker Francis Gurry, Director General of World Intellectual Property Organisation, on science-based education with the aim to turn the human resource most productive should not go amiss. In fact, at a time when universities in the developed world have opted for advanced studies and research in science and technology, education in this country has failed to match with their pace. Still it is remarkable that students from educational institutions here are earning laurels from international competitions beating the teams from such world famous universities like Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, MIT and IIT. Clearly, there is no dearth of talents here but facilities and opportunities to prove their genius is woefully lacking.
Had the country been able to create an environment of education where students did not opt for the easy-way-out but gave everything to be equal to the challenges of the time in order to do something innovative and creative, student politics of today's variety would have lost its appeal. Only those qualified enough to take it as a vocation would have come forward. They would have excelled in brain power instead of brawn power. Higher education is supposed to produce enlightened people who are quite aware of the country's rich culture, tradition and its need for the future. They must not always be on the lookout to realise personal gains but rather dedicate their talent and energy to the cause of the country's progress and social justice. Today's education teaches learners to be self-seeking, corrupt and privileged persons and this is where a paradigm shift in education is all the more necessary.
Geneticist Maksudul Alam who breathed his last recently has shown how single-handedly a man can immensely contribute to the country's welfare and still uphold the national pride in the comity of nations. People must be taught to cherish Bangladesh in their hearts even though they may have to be away from home in foreign lands for research and experiments. It is heart-warming to know that scientists and techno-wizards of today's young generation working in foreign countries have almost without exception expressed their desire to return home and help the country achieve what it rightly deserves. They are willing to give their best to the cause. But do the political leaderships ready to welcome them?
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was supportive all through of the research that Dr. Maksudul Alam carried out in a laboratory he developed to his satisfaction for the purpose. Let similar official patronage be provided in order to create facilities for advanced research and experiment. The highest seats of learning are the primary candidates for such academic exercises. So many times more allocation for the universities is a precondition for this. Corporate involvement with universities in countries like the United States ensures adequate funds for the purpose. Large corporate houses here can take a cue from their US counterparts.
Finally, not all are likely to excel in science education. There is also a need for studying literature, philosophy, history, anthropology and art. Without orientation with such knowledge, enlightenment is impossible. Much of the weakness of today's education lies in the failure to appreciate the aesthetic beauty inherent in art, music, literature, philosophy and theology. Systematic study of such subjects can change human perception for the better.
nilratanhalder2000@yahoo.com
Student politics vs academic excellence
Nilratan Halder | Published: January 16, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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