Report on ACU Seminar

Report on ACU Seminar: The Role of Faith-Based Universities in Promoting Respect


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Report on ACU Seminar: The Role of Faith-Based Universities in Promoting Respect.
30 January to 1 February 2017, Liverpool Hope University, UK
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is the world’s first and oldest international
university network established in 1913.The ACU has
over 500 member institutions in over 50 countries
across the Commonwealth. What binds ACU together is
a common belief in the value of higher education to
society, the conviction that this value is enhanced by
international collaboration and a passion for rigour and
excellence in everything that member universities do.
With three distinct but interconnected areas of work-
member services, programmes, and scholarship
administration- the ACU combines delivering values to
its members with achieving impact on the world of
higher education and wider society.
Group Photo with the commonwealth Secretary
General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland (middle standing)
The ACU Seminar on The Role of Faith-Based Universities in Promoting Respectwas held from
30 January to 1 February 2017 in UK and hosted by
Liverpool Hope University. Twenty-one representatives
attended the seminar from Commonwealth Universities
(a list is shown in the Table- 1). These representatives
shared their experience of best practice in promoting
respect among their staff, students, and communities.
The representatives were from 9 (nine) Commonwealth
Countries (Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United Kingdom).
International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) was
the only representative from Bangladesh.
Group Photo with Prof. John Wood CBE,
Secretary General of ACU (front line right )
The objective of the ACU seminar was to develop practical means of promoting respect and mutual
understandings among the staff and students of various faiths and cultures. The seminar was well-
organized and found to be very fulfilling, where representatives debated on the following issues at a
round table:
Creating an interfaith environment (physical and intellectual)
Religion in the curriculum; the use of comparative material and insights into other religions
Social and international development issues as a means of developing respect
Moral and personal development
Harnessing staff and students through extracurricular activity
The potential for stronger links between institutions
The essence of the university.
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Discussions throughout the three days highlighted values that cut across all the topics. The interactive and
inclusive nature of the event was praised by delegates, who came away having formed friendships and
ideas for academic and extracurricular collaboration between Institutions.
For my seminar, I delivered a short speech on Creating the Residential Environment”. where I
mentioned the fact that IIUC is not an exclusive faith-
based University. Its door is open to the admission
seekers from all over the world, regardless of religion,
race and ethnic background. It is an institution of
higher learning that functions on a non-profit basis and
its Motto is Combines Quality with Morality”. There
are 6 (six) Halls for male students of which one hall for
foreign students from China, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, Somalia, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Selection
procedure for resident students of a Hall is purely merit
based. In IIUC campus both teachers & students get an
environment where mutual respect, safety of individuals
and academic freedom are ensured.
Photo: Short speech on Creating the
Residential Environment at IIUC. January
30, 2017, Liverpool Hope University, UK
Implementation of academic and administrative rules is the same to all students irrespective of race, color,
ethnic group and place of birth. IIUC provides residence facilities for both Muslim and other religion
students under the same Hall with ample amenities of prayer, worship and catering. Hall dining system in
each hall is run by the resident students and managerial duty is compulsory for each and every student by
rotation. Foods are selected in such a way that any student regardless of faith, religion and region can take
food without confusion. Efficient management of mess by residential students provides meals with
cheaper rate. Working together for the common dining system increases understanding among the
students of other’s cultures and faith.
In my speech I highlighted the fact that to maintain better academic environment IIUC does not allow
political & partisan programs within the campus like that in
Public Universities in Bangladesh. However, resident students
can arrange various religious and national programs with the
permission from the respective Provost. IIUC incorporates
studies on the values of mutual respect & peaceful co-
existence in the courses under the “Morality Development
Program” which includes all students of the university
irrespective of caste, creed or religion. IIUC has established
the Student Affairs Division to organize and supervise the co-
curricular and extra-curricular activities of the entire
University. IIUC has a powerful Disciplinary Committee to
look after discipline matter. It has also established an Anti-
Militancy & Anti-Terrorism Cell as per Bangladesh Govt.
Act-2016. Photo.: Prof Md. Delawer Hossain ,Pro-VC(IIUC) and
Prof. John Wood CBE, Secretary General of ACU
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I acted as the Session Chair in the session on “the
Potential for stronger link between Institutes,”
February 1, 2017, Liverpool Hope University, UK. The
speakers were:
i. Prof. Sebastian Kim, Chair in Theology and
Public life, York St John University, UK.
ii. Ven Prof. Gallelle Sumanasiri Thero,
Vice Chancellor, Buddhist and Pali University,
Sri Lanka.
iii. Prof. A D N Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, Himachal
Pradesh University, India
Photo: Session Chair on “the Potential for
stronger link between Institutes” February1,
2017, Liverpool Hope University, UK
The following matters were discussed in the session:
Is it necessary to have a clear strategy when engaging in inter-university links?
What are the roles of the partners and who decides for whom?
How can institutions ensure that partnerships are built on the basis of genuine equality and that
one partner does not overshadow the other?
Where does the responsibility lie for inter-university links (i.e. the faculty, vice chancellor, etc.?
How does one engage institutions in partnerships so that the benefits of linkages are realized?
How does an institution address funding and time issues in order to priorities interuniversity
links?
In conclusion, I stated that interuniversity collaborations will play an important role in valuing and
understanding cultures that are different to our own. It will create an opportunity for staff and students to
engage in discussion with other institutions and
demonstrate a real mutual appreciation for all involved.
Acknowledgment: I am grateful to Hon’ble Vice-
Chancellor, IIUC for granting me duty leave to attend
the ACU Seminar on The Role of Faith Based
Universities in Promoting Respect” at Liverpool
Hope University, UK during 30 January to 1 February
2017. I thankfully acknowledge the Association of
Commonwealth Universities for invitation and air
tickets. I sincerely express my gratitude to Vice-
Chancellor and Rector, Liverpool Hope University, UK
for local hospitality.
Photo: Concluding speech by Dr John Kirkland
OBE- Deputy Secretary General of the
Association of Commonwealth Universities
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Table-1, List of the participating Universities in the Seminar at Liverpool Hope University.UK.
Sl.
No
Name of the University
CW
Countries.
Extent of Faith Orientation.
1
International Islamic University
Chittagong (IIUC)
Bangladesh
Open to students of any religion. Equal
opportunity for all. 95% Muslim students.
2
Himachal Pradesh University
India
Large majority Hindu,
3
DevSanskritiVishwavidyalaya
India
95% active adherence to faith.
4
Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Kenya
Majority Christian students
5
United States International University
Kenya
Secular University.
6
Covenant University
Nigeria
Christian Mission ethos
7
National University of Sciences &
Technology
Pakistan
97% Muslim students;
equal opportunity for all.
8
Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Only for Buddhist monks;
9
Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Priority to Buddhist monks;
95% Buddhist students
10
State University of Zanzibar
Tanzania
Equal opportunity for all; Majority are Muslim
students.
11
St John's University of Tanzania
Tanzania
Active adherence to some faith;
equal opportunity for all.
12
Islamic University in Uganda
Uganda
Priority to Muslims; 35% non-Muslims
Students.
13
Kampala International University
Uganda
Open to all. Majority are adherence to faith.
14
University of Birmingham
UK
Secular Institution.
15
University of Winchester
UK
60% of students and staff profess some faith.
16
York St John University
UK
Open to all religion. It is a University with
Anglican foundation.
17
Liverpool Hope University
UK
Run by Christian foundation; Majority
Christian students
18
Lille Catholic University
France
Percentage of active adherence of any faith is
less.
Photo: Gala Dinner: Hosted by Prof. Gerald Pillay, Vice Chancellor,
Liverpool Hope University.
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