The Open University Teachers Association (OUTA) has a special obligation in protecting universally upheld principles of democracy at a time the profession is burdened by political cronies who could become a curse to many, according to a senior lecturer.
Dr. Mahim Mendis |
The urgent need for academics is to strengthen the highest standards of professionalism within the national academia by being fearlessly independent. The dignity of the profession depends on the dignity of its membership, noted Dr. Mahim Mendis, recently elected President of the Open University Teachers Association (OUTA).
Dr. Mendis said the Open University Teachers subscribe to the philosophy of Distance Open Learning (ODL). “We at OUSL serve the higher educational needs of a diverse student population representing different age groups, occupations, ethnicities and religions scattered over the island, upholding equality and equity. These students form an excellent cross section of Sri Lankan civil society. We carry the social responsibility to strengthen them as part of our civil society, to make them men and women of dignity and character with dynamism. This challenge cannot be met if we opt to be cronies of politicians whose actions need to be urgently corrected for the benefit of all,” he said.
Addressing the Open University Teachers, he noted that society is watching the academics closely more than ever before, and expect them to uphold the highest principles of professionalism as well as scientific truths. This they should do by defending what is universally right and not right for politicians they gladly serve. Academics cannot be neither here nor there when it comes to making choices in defense of democratic and universal values. Partisan loyalties need to be subordinated to such values.
“Working with the government in power does not mean white-washing what the politicians do.
Such a community of academics lacking in credibility could become a burden to both the government and the opposition with the people betrayed by a self-serving intelligentsia”. He reminded his colleagues of the time the academic community was provided principled leadership by eminent men like Professor Osmund Jayaratne of the University of Colombo. Being men of firm principles they owed their responsibility to the society. They knew that the people needed guidance to separate right from wrong. In this sphere the academics as well as the clergy of the land should re-dedicate themselves to build a dignified society. They should tell the politicians “enough is enough”.
The new OUTA President also stated that the academics should be equally concerned about their rights and obligations. He said that an apathetic community of academics who are not mindful of their obligation in rallying round the profession is a serious threat to the future of the academia. The need of the hour is to safeguard the dignity of the profession built on their strong credentials from eminent institutions. They also need to distance themselves from those twisting knowledge for short term benefit.
The OUTA which was established in the year 1984 is a member of the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA), the main professional body that represents the rights and welfare of academics in Sri Lanka |
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