Dialogical democratic culture within universities is a must: Higher Education Minister

Priority will be given to create a democratic culture within our universities, the newly sworn- in Higher Education State Minister Suren Raghavan said.

The Minister said the ability to facilitate and formulate diversified thinking should come from the higher education sector.

“I strongly believe that democratising the universities, their philosophy, their practice, and day- to- day activities should be one of our national aims. I firmly believe that education and foreign policies are two areas that should not be tinkered with according to politicians’ needs or political agendas,” Minister Raghavan said.

He said he plans to discuss with political authorities on introducing participatory democracy in the governance of universities.

“The students have no say in the appointment of the Vice- Chancellor or a Department Head. A dialogical democratic culture within universities is a must. This will reset the button of the system change. The Galle Face generation wants to fundamentally change the way we think and do our politics. Universities are the best place to start this change,” the Minister added. (NF)