Role of Higher Education in Reconciliation: Overview and Objectives

Professor Ranjith Senaratne

1. HE landscape of the country

• Sri Lanka - 15 Universities 10 Institutes7 Postgraduate Institutes

• With > 4,500 academics incl.• 750 Professors• >1750 PhD holders in a multiplicity of disciplines• C. 2,000 Senior Lecturers

• 75,000 students – best of the best (as only 3 % of students enter the University)

• HEIs account for > 60 % of R & D personnel in the country

• Universities constitute the Intellectual Pulse and Brain Trust of the country

2. Role of Universities– Teaching/Learning – Research– Community service

• Judge Weeramantry convocation address at Univ. of Colombo (1980s - nearly 30 years ago)

• Responsibilities and functions of an intellectual1.The continuing acquisition and systematization of

knowledge2.The communication of knowledge3.The advancement of knowledge4.Guidance and advice based upon knowledge

Judge Weeramantry

• Late Dr. Lakshman Kadirgamar – convocation address at Sabaragamuwa University in 2001

“The soul of a nation resides in its universities; the voice of a nation should be heard from its

universities; the mind of a nation should be developed in its

universities. On the global scale it is the universities of the

world, collectively, that think, speak, rejoice and weep for mankind”

3. How far those responsibilities and expectations fulfilled?

During the decades-long ethnic strife, • universities did precious little to resolve it.• Therefore at least in this crucial hour, the

universities should contribute their might to facilitate, direct and accelerate the reconciliation process.

• Our failure to rise to the occasion will only serve to push our beloved country back into a quagmire of chaos, discord and dissent.

• Therefore the UGC under the leadership of the Chairperson joined hands with the Univ. of Jaffna to hold this conference in this historic city of Yalpanam.

• Cradle of intellectuals and scholars

• Pinnacle of culture

• Crucible of research

• With the participation of– Religious dignitaries – International scholars– Community leaders – Men of eminence in Art, Culture and Sports– University academics – Undergraduates

• A galaxy of high profile figures and personalities

representing major ethnic and religious communities deliberate on Peace Building and Reconciliation (PBR)

• in an apolitical setting – a truly intellectual discourse

• Reconciliation: is a process and not an one-off event

As the Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu once said

“It has a beginning, but no end”

• So we need to work indefatigably in a concerted and coherent manner getting all key stakeholders on board to achieve and sustain it .

• Our universities need to be recreated and retooled to successfully meet that challenge and need of the hour.

Objectives of the conference1. Creating among the staff and students awareness and

enlightenment re the role and responsibility of Universities in reconciliation

2. Institutionalizing reconciliation in the universities thro’ novel and innovative academic, research, sports, cultural and out-reach programmes

3. Building a new generation of teachers and students to promote reconciliation and social harmony

4. Making universities a driving force and strategic partner in reconciliation and social cohesion

5. Development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for implementation by the universities

Realization of the objectives

1. Creating awareness and enlightenment on the role of universities in PBR

• Judge C.G. Weeramantry, a world authority with an encyclopedic knowledge on this subject

• Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, a renowned scholar with considerable international hands-on experience on the subject

• Religious dignitariesBuddhism ChristianityHinduism Islam

2. How an institutional culture conducive to peace building and reconciliation created? Role of VCs

•Articulating a new vision and mission for the universities towards PBR

•Formulating necessary institutional policies and establishing necessary structures (Harmony Centres), systems and procedures to accomplish the mission

3. At Faculty and Departmental level? Role of teachers/students

• Conducting academic, research, out-reach programmes and co-curricular and extracurricular activities aimed at promoting PBR

• Empowerment and constructive engagement of students who will be the future ambassadors to advance the cause of PBR

Art & Culture and Sports - the greatest levelers/unifiers on earth

• Harmonious and seamless blending Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim cultures to create an exciting and enthralling cultural mosaic/fabric (Prof. Jayasena Kottegoda, Prof. S. Maunaguru, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and Mr. Shameen)

• We all sing the same ‘song’ together, song of united Sri Lanka to a common beat producing resonance

Sports – a very effective and powerful cementing and welding agent (Mr. Hemasiri Fernando, President and Mr. B.L.H. Perera, member of National Olympic Committee)

Outputs• Recommendations (RAP) for HEIs to create a

Culture of Co-existence and Reconciliation

• Publication of the proceedings

• Establishment of Harmony Centres in Universities

Outcomes

• A new generation of leaders with understanding, knowledge, and finesse to manage ethnic and religious tensions and

• a new breed of champions who can reunite the divided hearts and minds

• That will engender a new culture in universities leading

• not only to moulding a new generation of academic staff,

• but also producing a new breed of graduates equipped with necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes

• to champion the cause of peace building and reconciliation in our country paving the way for a rainbow nation.