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

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.