Universities’ Responsibilities to Meet Societal Demands Prof. Andreas J. Karamanos former Rector, Agric. University of Athens, and Secretary General of Education

Many important changes in higher learning from antiquity till now reflect relevant transformations in society.

Historical background Classical World - The first institutions of higher learning met the demand for advanced skills in reasoning and disputation. - The balance between vocational skills (oratory) and general approaches to learning (philosophy) depended on the emphasis given by the leader of the Institution.

Historical background Roman times - More emphasis on practical skills to better serve the needs of the Empire (trained administrators): legal training as a separate sector in parallel with rhetoric and philosophy.

Historical background Byzantine times (University of Constantinople) - Courses in letters, medicine and law.

Historical background Medieval times - Relationship with society formalized through emphasis on vocational learning (priesthood, medicine, public administration). - Emphasis alleviated by the intrusion of humanism.

Historical background 16th to 19th centuries - Stagnation period. No response to the great changes such as Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment: “Universities and academic institutions, which had once taught all that was then known, but having since indulged their ease by remaining stationary, found it for their interest that knowledge should do so” (John Stuart Mill)

Historical background Beginning of the 19th century - University reform. Establishment of new institutions (Berlin University, London University, the Grandes Écoles). - Redefinition of the functions of higher learning by W. von Humboldt and Newman.

Humboldtian approach Emphasis on scholarship Equal significance on training and research (investigative scholarship)

University and Society In its traditional mission, university serves society in many important ways, including the provision of education, ideas, and the advancement of science and innovation. More roles are expected to be played by universities in a way that their functions have an ongoing validity in modern society.

University and Society The role of the universities is tremendously upgraded by the Lisbon Strategy: Knowledge society and innovation are considered as basic pillars for economic development.

The idea of civic service Academia to be engaged more deeply in public debate and actions, not as commentator or instructor but as a partner. Excellence and academic ethics are the equipment making universities a reliable partner to society and decision-makers.

The idea of civic service The socially related mission of the university shifted from the individual to the collective needs of the State, the society, and the economy.

The social mission of modern universities (Jonasson, 2008) Cultural mission (including the cultivation of science) Economic mission (professional education, technological innovation, development) Political mission (high level of critical and sophisticated information as a background for political action)

Beneficiaries of social functions

Conclusions Challenge to modern universities to widen their traditional links with society towards public services in order to meet social demands. Necessity that universities have to become more proactive and escape from conservative obsessions resulting in the isolation of the academia from social needs.

The Greek case Provision for social engagement in the legal framework of the Hellenic Universities: “…(universities) to help meet social, cultural, instructional and growth needs of the society respecting the principles of sustainability and social cohesion” (law 3549/2007, art. 1)

The Greek case A similar provision for universities’ mission in the older legislation: “… (universities) to help meet the social, cultural and growth needs of the State” (law 1268/1982, art. 1 par. 2).

Paradigms Establishment of Life Long Learning Institutes in universities Teacher-training projects and production of teaching material Major developmental plans in many countries (e.g., Institution-Building for agricultural development in Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenja, Armenia etc.)

Paradigms Joined development projects with municipalities (planning and implementation) Agricultural restoration of the areas devastated by the 2007 fires Management of environmentally protected areas, etc.

Epilogue Increasing social demands widen the traditional mission of contemporary universities. Public service to be included in the Magna Carta in order to become a guideline for university administration.

Epilogue To overcome possible hesitations, the reward system of academic success must recognize the value of such contributions. By no means should the engagement in the new activities proceed at the expense of the traditional mission and prestige of the academia

Epilogue Academic integrity must be preserved at all costs. To ensure acceptable behaviour at a time when the stakes grow with the universities’ increasing social importance, institutions must be particularly careful to provide measures to counteract academic misbehaviour and fight corruption.

Thank you