Civic learning and democratic engagement is mandatory in higher education so as to create citizens who are sensitive to society’s diversity, and its inequalities, said chairman of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Sukhadeo Thorat.
A former chairman of the UGC, Prof. Thorat was delivering the fourth foundation day lecture on Higher Education in India: Issues Related to Equity, Diversity and Nation Building , at ICFAI University. He lamented the absence of civic learning in the higher education system, and stressed the importance of moulding students into better human beings with values and principles even while imparting knowledge, skills and preparing them for the career.
Prof. Thorat quoted the example of the US and the UK, where specific efforts were made to introduce civic education in the curriculum. He pointed out that these efforts at diversity education created better citizens, as well as improved the academic performance of students.
ICFAI University Vice-Chancellor J. Mahender Reddy was present on the occasion.
