01 March 2011, 16:22
University corporation should suggest its vision of the strategic course of Ukraine in line with the knowledge economy and achievements of the information-technological age.
V. Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, made this statement in his speech at Taras Shevchenko Luhansk National University on the occasion of its 90th anniversary.
V. Lytvyn emphasized that high-quality education, professional specialists, and intellect are indispensable for reforms and modernization. "I am convinced that it is the university that shall undertake the mission of implementing new paradigms into the Ukrainian reality", he declared.
According to the Head of the Parliament, "Ukraine has outgrown existing frameworks and needs transition to an effective state based on liberties, justice and supremacy of Law." "We need a distinct answer: what will happen in the result of ongoing reforms. Situation requires clear-cut goals and actions of authorities, as well as involvement of all social powers in the implementation of reforms", V. Lytvyn declared.
However, he stated that under the conditions of "progressing society separation into two social branches poor majority and rich minority", the process of reforms is even more complicated as it seems. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada calls for fighting poverty not only by bridging the income gaps, but also by increasing social responsibility of the national capital, setting the priorities in education and culture, and cultivating moral rules of living.
"An educated individual in a civilized state can not be poor. As the modern world looks upon higher education as a mass industry, the society can not be poor in fact", he is convinced.
"Corporation of universities, as a heart of culture, traditions and intellect shall be involved in the development of strategic fundamentals for transforming Ukraine into a real democratic state based on the economics of knowledge and high-technologies." He recommends the universities to suggest sensible education reforms. V. Lytvyn emphasized that universities shall foster educated, freedom-loving and moral leaders for the sake of the state and the public.
The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament is convinced that the future of Ukraine will be assessed by the level of freedom and democracy. "Real freedom means living and working in a positive environment, so our common task is to make it possible in the territory of whole Ukraine. In this context, collective voice of Ukrainian universities shall be convincing", V. Lytvyn stated.
"University corporation should suggest its vision of the strategic course of Ukraine in line with the knowledge economy and achievements of the information-technological age", V.Lytvyn is convinced.