Keynote Address by Dr. Sasanka Perera at URCFA , 20th December 2024

Summary

In this speech, the speaker reflects on the state of social sciences and humanities, both globally and locally, with a focus on the challenges facing these disciplines in South Asia. He emphasizes the crisis within academia, highlighting the issues of conformity, lack of intellectual engagement, and the neglect of critical thinking. The speaker stresses the importance of self-transformation, critical reflection, and the development of professional skills. While acknowledging the difficulties, he encourages students to create their own futures, rather than merely conforming to established norms, and offers support for those striving to shape the future in these fields.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker acknowledges the importance of the University of Peradeniya in shaping their own family history, although they were not able to attend it themselves.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the historical transformation of the University of Peradeniya from the 1950s to today, which has dramatically changed over time.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that large undergraduate conferences are rare globally, especially in countries like Sri Lanka, where undergraduate education dominates the academic system.
• 😀 The speaker critiques the current state of social sciences and humanities education, noting that these fields have become too separated and over-sanitized, losing their original purpose and relevance.
• 😀 The global and local crises in education are acknowledged, with a focus on how these crises impact students’ futures in the social sciences and humanities.
• 😀 The speaker stresses that the education system fails to address the deeper intellectual and philosophical needs of students, particularly in social sciences and humanities.
• 😀 Social sciences and humanities are seen as being underappreciated in Sri Lanka and South Asia, with many disciplines (except economics) considered irrelevant by policymakers and the public.
• 😀 The current education system, while increasing the number of students in these fields, fails to focus on meaningful research, theory building, or global collaboration in these areas.
• 😀 The speaker points out that the focus of social sciences and humanities has shifted toward simplistic, utilitarian goals (such as data collection), which undermines intellectual depth and quality.
• 😀 In conclusion, the speaker challenges students to engage in self-reflection, critical thinking, and intellectual risk-taking to shape their futures and make meaningful contributions to society, despite the crisis in these academic fields.

Q & A

What is the speaker's relationship with the University of Padena?

The speaker has a personal connection with the University of Padena, as many members of their maternal family graduated from there. They also shared that they visited the university regularly as a child in the 1960s, walking among the trees with their parents.

Why does the speaker mention the transformation of the University of Padena?

The speaker points out that the University of Padena has undergone significant changes since the 1950s and 1960s. However, they note that the transformation process is not the main topic of their speech, even though they briefly discuss it.

What does the speaker suggest about the role of Humanities in the 18th century?

The speaker references Terry Eagleton's perspective, which suggests that Humanities, when they first emerged in the 18th century, were not only domains of knowledge but also a way to preserve values and build political consciousness, particularly in the face of industrial capitalism.

How does the speaker view the current state of social sciences and Humanities?

The speaker views the social sciences and Humanities as being in crisis, both globally and locally. They argue that these disciplines have become disconnected from their intellectual roots, have suffered from reduced emphasis on theory, and have been relegated to lower academic hierarchies.

What issue does the speaker highlight with the expansion of undergraduate education in their country?

The speaker notes that while there has been an increase in the number of students being trained in social sciences and Humanities, this expansion has not been accompanied by meaningful improvements in research, theory-building, or global academic collaboration. They argue that this is due to a lack of attention to the quality of education and the application of knowledge after graduation.

What does the speaker identify as a major problem within social sciences and Humanities disciplines?

The speaker identifies the problem of disciplinary fragmentation and the rise of oversimplified, utilitarian approaches to education. This has led to a lack of critical engagement, theoretical depth, and original contributions to global scholarship within the fields of social sciences and Humanities.

How does the speaker describe the role of social sciences and Humanities in local politics?

The speaker observes that social sciences and Humanities, except for Economics, are often viewed as irrelevant in the eyes of both educational decision-makers and the general public. They also point out that disciplines like sociology have been reduced to tools for data collection rather than developing critical theories or engaging with complex societal issues.

What does the speaker suggest as the first step for empowering young minds in social sciences and Humanities?

The speaker suggests that young minds in social sciences and Humanities should first recognize the crisis in these disciplines and understand the challenges they face. This awareness will be essential as they move forward in shaping their futures.

What qualities does the speaker believe are necessary for transforming the future?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, self-reflection, and professional competence. They also stress the need for intellectual and ethical engagement in both personal and professional lives, and warn against becoming conformist within these domains.

What does the speaker say about the importance of professional training in social sciences and Humanities?

The speaker argues that it is essential for students to not only gain knowledge but also develop professional skills during their education. This training should give them an edge beyond theoretical knowledge, as this will be crucial in the job market.