Page 77 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 18

Re-Education

closely this same line of thinking, no
university/scholar is an island.

Undoubtedly, through networking,
you get a wealth of knowledge that
will be to your benefit. Also, even in
your personal lives do not be found
wanting living in ivory towers where
you think you have it all and know
best. Instead, you need to come
down from your high pedestal and
face reality. It is never too late to do
MOVING the right thing in life. People have a
way of thinking to fit the quintes-
AWAY sential scholar picture that you have
to seclude yourself from the rest of
the world, yet this is not the case to

FROM IVORY TOWER be always poring over your books
oblivious of the outside sphere.
MENTALITY If you are living this way treasured

reader, please come down from your
high horse.
We Can Rework Our University Education Ivory tower poem

Being in an ivory tower
Makes you feel like you have all the power
But in the end you will glower
As you will cower in the shadows as if a
wilted flower

Make well meaningful partnerships
ship. As for industry it will be able not wanting to get involved with the That won’t have investors jumping ship
to inform the universities what they industry or with the government ei- Instead, flock together as sheep
need currently. Also by working to- ther. In short, the ivory tower men- With one common goal so that you won’t
gether they will ensure graduates are tality is a thing of the past. All in all, fall in a heap
well informed of what is required of countries like America are working
them. Universities as entities should hand in hand with companies, and Commercially viable innovations
be upheld because they are the for that reason, they are never short Are the in thing like renovations
spinning mill that always produces of relevant and commercially viable Bad decisions will make you regurgitate
fresh-minded students with new innovations. Actually, American As insults will be hurled at you whilst
ideas. Thus, these hubs need to be universities’ tech hubs work in con- being repudiated
supported because they are educat- junction with companies, talk of the
ing the country’s human work force. Silicon Valley where they are making Make hay whilst the sun is still shining
That said, if these parties work well magic each and every day. All things This is business not origami
together, with a common goal, so being equal, even as an academic or Let us state the facts as they are
much can be achieved rather than scholar, you need to network with So that we remove this ivory tower mentali-
when they do so independently. All other individuals for you to grow. ty blur
things being equal, working sepa-
rately will cause nothing but chaos. Nothing beats forming fruitful part-
Having said that, universities need to nerships. In short, that is why it was
change their culture and attitudes of said no man is an island. Following

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