(Academic) Corridors of Power

Persons interested in behavioral studies must have come across Stanley Milgram’s experiments on “behavioral study of obedience” (1963). Refer this Spiritual Quotient by Mukul Sharma titled “Power of authority is in ourselves” (Economic Times dated 13 October 2006, Friday) for the experiment. (Please click on the image to enlarge)

Academic administrative functionaries wearing similar “white coats” (read designations) ought to take note of what their roles ought to be in the emerging knowledge economy.

The serious academic (in India) should be asking whether he/she belongs to the significant majority 2/3rd or the significant minority 1/3rd. Or maybe to the unspecified “minority within the minority 1/3rd” who would like to bring reason into the way things are currently being done.

Indian education sector has to move away from the unhealthy influence of such (academic) corridors of power. The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) of India has been making recommendations incessantly for drastic reforms in the education sector – almost down to the level of granting greater academic autonomy to the individual. The moot point to all Academic Functionaries: Are they interested in changing their old mindsets?

Building an Educational Institute is becoming the order of the day in Orissa (as in India). However, dedicated Institution builders are becoming a rare breed. Is it because of the existing models of Educational Governance that do not promote "out-of-box" thinking? Or, Is it due to our legacy that values blind obedience over constructive dissent? Do we really need these legacy systems where orders are to be obeyed without questioning the possible outcomes?