2 - The University as a Site of Knowledge: The Role of Basic Research

Chachage Seithy L. Chachage

doi:10.57054/jhea.v4i2.1653

Abstract

This paper extrapolates from the tensions between the University of Dar es Salaam Academic Staff Assembly (UDASA) and the university administration to make a case for academic freedom in Tanzania in particular and Africa in general. It draws on two key statements on academic freedom in Africa – the Dar es Salaam Declara- tion on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility of Academics (1990) and the Kampala Declaration on Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility (1991), to discuss the role of basic research in the university as a site for knowledge produc- tion. The paper argues that the quest for academic freedom is only meaningful if universities renew their commitment to the public good. Only by fulfilling the pub- lic trust as weavers of the social fabric and upholders of the highest ethical dimen- sions of human life can universities reclaim their position in society and the world at large.

The University as a Site of Knowledge: The Role of Basic Research

Cet article procède à une extrapolation des tensions entre University of Dar es Salaam Academic Staff Assembly (UDASA) et l’administration de cette même université, afin de plaider pour la liberté académique en Tanzanie en particulier et en Afrique, en général. Il s’inspire également de deux déclarations clés concernant les libertés académiques en Afrique : la Déclaration de Dar es Salaam sur les libertés académiques et la responsabilité sociale des universitaires (1990) ainsi que la Déclaration de Kampala sur les libertés intellectuelles et la responsabilité sociale (1991), dans le but d’évoquer le rôle de la recherche fondamentale au sein de l’université, en tant que lieu de production de la connaissance. L’auteur affirme que la quête d’une certaine liberté académique ne conserve tout son sens que si les universités renouvellent leur engagement envers le bien public. Ce n’est qu’en méritant la confiance publique, en leur qualité de tisserands de la toile sociale et de garantes des grandes valeurs éthiques de l’humain que les universités pourront réclamer leur position au sein de la société et du monde, de façon plus large.

Keywords

extrapolates from the tensions Univerty Tanzania

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Author Biography

Chachage Seithy L. Chachage

Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

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