17 February 2011, 15:09
Universities should raise Prestige of Education and Country, acting as the Apostles of Freedom and Democracy, and initiating the All-Ukrainian Dialogue
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, made this statement on Thursday during the celebration of the 90th anniversary of Cherkasy B. Khmelnytsky National University within his working visit to Cherkasy region.
The 90th anniversary of Cherkasy B. Khmelnytsky National University "is of special significance and shall be celebrated on the national level", V. Lytvyn is convinced. "We shall use this excellent opportunity to raise the issue concerning the role of intellect and Universities as the main place of its creation."
According to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, given the global processes that depend on ‘the economics of education´, Ukraine should strive "to be on the same level with the world." Present-day reality dictates its conditions, while education is regarded as "mass industry, fundamental condition of modern state existence and its strategic security."
"Universities shall transfer Ukraine from XX to XXI century; they shall become an outpost of our adaptation to the present conditions. Increase of prestige of Ukrainian education shall become our principal mission", V. Lytvyn believes.
V. Lytvyn deems necessary to develop "advanced, developed, healthy and target-oriented educational policy." He emphasized that reforms of higher education shall be sensible and open new opportunities for the development of its fundamental principles. "University as a heart of traditions and intellect shall suggest well-weighed reformation approaches and become free of provincial timidity", V. Lytvyn stated.
According to V. Lytvyn, "cultivation of equality and justice" shall be another compulsory mission of University. He explained that higher education establishments shall give a country "a new generation of intelligent people academically educated, freedom-loving and of high moral principles." "Knowledge refines and purifies people", he added.
Considering the coming reforms in Ukraine, Universities "shall be involved into the process of forming a new society." "Universities shall act as the apostles of freedom and democracy. They shall inure to the benefit of Ukraine and initiate an all-Ukrainian dialogue", he stressed.