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September 2013: Talk on ‘Higher Education in the 21st Century’ by Prof. Dinesh Singh in Thimphu, Bhutan

September 2013: Talk on ‘Higher Education in the 21st Century’ by Prof. Dinesh Singh in Thimphu, Bhutan

Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chancellor of Delhi University visited the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu on 24 September 2013 to discuss the role of higher education in the 21st Century. The session explored two fundamental ideas: the importance of education in instilling morality and the changing education landscape due to technology. His visit was facilitated by The Thimphu Seminars.

The importance of education in instilling morality was illustrated with various examples of how various financial crises around the world could be traced to individuals or a group of individuals who broke the moral code. Several countries took advantage of existing loopholes in the law to benefit their companies financially, without paying heed to the consequences. It is imperative that one of the primary aims of education should be instilling an inner moral compass in its students, developing in them the ability to understand the larger impact their actions may have on the world around.

The advent of technology is a precursor to traditional methods of imparting and receiving knowledge becoming obsolete. It implies more flexibility, specifically with respect to time and space. School campuses may soon be replaced by spaces such as cafes, neighbourhood parks, and individual bedrooms. Technology enables individuals to store, share, and create information within a matter of seconds. Prof. Dinesh Singh urged countries of Asia and especially Bhutan to realize this trend and reasoned how crucial future policies regarding education should be suited to this trend.