现代大学的社会责任——读《走出象牙塔——现代大学的社会责任》

The Social Responsibilities of Contemporary Universities——Thoughts on the Article Going Out of the“Ivory Tower”——The Social Responsibilities of Contemporary Universities

大学逐步走出“象牙塔” ,传统的中立地位受到质疑。大学想要发挥其在当今社会的真正作用 ,就必须审视自己的社会责任。学术自由是大学的基本价值标准 ,是维持大学活力的源泉。从学术角度看 ,大学对社会的责任主要有 :让所有的人享受教育 ;鼓励学生思考社会问题 ,促进学生道德的发展 ,提高社会整体道德素质 ;通过学术研究、技术转让、创造新的产品和产业 ,最终刺激生产力的发展 ;考虑科学发明的利用价值和可能产生的不良后果 ;对外技术援助等。从非学术角度看 ,大学有对城市、社区的服务责任 ,对待社会问题的政治立场 ,对社会捐赠接受的态度以及与校外组织的关系等。总之 ,现代大学必须承担教育的责任 ;既适应社会 ,又要服务社会 ,引导社会前进的责任 ;走向世界 ,实现国际化是现代大学的重要标志。

Traditional universities were regarded as an“ivory tower”,occupying a neutral position in the society.However,nowadays with this concept being challenged,universities are going out of the“ivory tower”.Universities should consider their own social responsibility if they want to realize their purpose and function in the society.Academic freedom is one of the basic values that maintain the vitality of universities.From the academic point of view,the main responsi-bilities of universities are:providing educational opportunities for all people;encouraging students to reflect on social problems so as to improve their morality and enhance the ethic standard of the whole society;boosting the development of productivity through academic research,transfer of possession of technique,creation of new product and new industry;considering the value of scientific inventions and their possible undesirable effect and providing support for foreign coun-tries.From non-academic point of view,universities should shoulder the responsibilities for community service in cities;make clear their attitude towards social,political problems,social donations and their relationship with organizations in the society.In a word,contemporary universities should shoulder the responsibilities of education,meet the demand of the society,serve the society,play the guiding role of the society.An important symbol of a contemporary university is its internalization and influence in the world.