"Learned Academies and Social Responsibility" (2013 Convocation Lecture)
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Date
2014-06-09
Authors
Banjo, E.A.
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Publisher
University of Lagos Press
Abstract
This lecture, delivered at the University of Lagos Convocation, explores the evolving role of Learned Academies and their social responsibility within the context of higher education and national development. The speaker begins by highlighting the pioneering status of the University of Lagos in advancing professional and postgraduate education in Nigeria, emphasizing its continued relevance and leadership, especially in the face of rapidly increasing numbers of tertiary institutions. The notion that all universities will perform at the same level is challenged, advocating instead for recognition and support of high-performing "First Division" institutions.
The discourse then traces the origin of the term "Academy" to Plato's 4th-century B.C. institution in Athens, where the pursuit of knowledge was grounded in ethical and philosophical inquiry. This foundational ideal is contrasted with the modern, often diluted, use of the term “academy” for secondary, military, or police schools, which typically prioritize vocational excellence over intellectual development.
To address this dilution, the speaker introduces the concept of Learned Academies—modern collectives of eminent scholars who engage not in teaching per se, but in contributing their expertise for the advancement of society. Drawing on global examples, particularly the French Academy (Académie Française), the lecture illustrates how such institutions serve as custodians of knowledge, language, and ethical scholarship. In doing so, the speaker underscores the need for learned bodies to actively uphold academic integrity, national relevance, and cultural responsibility.
Ultimately, the lecture calls for a reassessment of how societies value and support their top academic institutions and learned societies, advocating for a model where excellence is not only preserved but positioned to guide national and intellectual progress.
Description
"Learned Academies and Social Responsibility" (2013 Convocation Lecture) Delivered By Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka
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Citation
Banjo, E.A. (2014). "Learned Academies and Social Responsibility" (2013 Convocation Lecture) Delivered at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, 22p.