Impulse to Change

I advocate change, but am averse to change that deviates from scientific methods and expectations of the target group at large. Change that is not gradual often results in nothing but chaos and panic. One example of such pursuit was the recent decision contemplated by the apex body of higher education in Andhra Pradesh, in order to replace the three years undergraduate courses with four year degree. If I could express my distress, unfortunately there is no scope for any inquiry and reasoning in the present pattern of education. The resultant of this is graduates lacking both thought and action, leave alone personal and social leadership. So, would it not be prudent enough to keep intact the three years timeframe it takes to acquire an undergraduate degree and the change the contents and course concentrations. Shun those paradoxical ideas that only science based courses are the right choice. We need the combination and comfort of humanities and science to produce graduates with great potential. The model of study developed by the elite universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Princeton has been an extremely successful model and has been in existence for over many years, rather centuries. It could serve as a template for those who are mooting change in the present pattern. A practical hint from Sir Albert Einstein’s essay “Why Socialism (1949), he wrote:

“ I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate the grave evils created by the anarchy of capitalism-namely the establishment of a socialist economy accompanied by an education system which would be more oriented toward social goals. Socialism is directed towards a social-ethical end. Science cannot create ends; science, at most, can supply the means by which to attain certain ends.” Such is the sociological legacy of Einstein.

Perhaps, I am left with my own company, dwelling into happy thinking and taking a cue from David Bornstein’s “How to Change the World-Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas.” A work on fascinating stories of diverse individuals who made an impact with the power of their ideas across the globe. An extremely important book, it is both inspiring and invaluable. A must read and prescription for the existing panacea.