Ethics in Higher Education introduction

Ethics in Higher Education

INTRODUCTION

Education does not end with mastery over few languages or subjects. It also means opening the doors of the mind , cleansing the soul realization of the self. We, as Pakistanis do have a rich and huge volumes of spiritual heritage. At various levels of Pakistani Education System in general and the higher technical education in particular, the ethical considerations lost its value and place. In the real life the ethics are neither taught through text books nor preached/ advocated through any other media or learning/ teaching. Do you think that merely expansion of educational infrastructure would produce good human being without inculcating in them the basic ethics, values and virtues as advocated by the Saints, the Sufis, the Gurus of our ancient society and by our rich civilization?. Do you think we can produce effective Managers, Technocrats, Bureaucrats, Politicians and Entrepreneurs without the knowledge of ethics, values and virtues?. “The education system needs to strengthen the values of ethics, secularism, democracy, inclusiveness and pluralism. These are great values enshrined our constitution and traditionally developed by our civilization. These values give strength and sustenance not only to our diverse multi culture society but also to our country,”

ETHICS

“What are we like, and what should we do?” As humans we are faced with many decisions in life, which in and of itself distinguishes us from animal kingdom. I’m sure other animals make decisions too, but as humans we take into account our values and morals. In choosing which path to take with some of life decisions , “ethics” are often the center; heavily influencing our choices between what is right and what is wrong. As the time goes on, society evolves, so do our values, morals and ethics. What is Ethics: What does ethics mean to you? It may be defined as following ;- 1: Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong. 2: Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs. 3: Being ethical is doing what the law requires. 4: Ethics consists of standards of behavior our society accepts. The meaning of ethics is hard to pin down , and the views many people have about ethics are shaky. Being ethical is clearly not a matter of following one’s feelings. Infact feelings frequently deviate from what is ethical. Nor should one identify ethics with religion. Being ethical is not the same as following law and “whatever society accepts”.

҉STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF ETHICAL

Secondly ethics refers to study and development of one’s ethical standards. It is continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and the institutions we help to shape , live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly based. NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION: National Educational Association has 2 major principles of ethical standards in education, which are; 1: Commitment to the student, and 2: Commitment to the profession.

THE NECESSITY:

The aim of teaching ethics is the provide the budding the youth:- to share knowledge, build skills, and develop minds of the young entrepreneurial managers of tomorrow. BENEFITS: The ethical education to our youth is the crying need of the hour for it leads to various benefits for the youth of today, some of them are narrated below: 1: Moral development. 2: Cultural development. 3: Development of healthy and balanced personality. 4: Creation of good citizenship. 5: Resolving conflicts. 6: Co-operative living. 7: Maintaining peace and harmony. 8: Adjustment with environment and its modification. 9: National integration and national development.

What Higher Education Must Teach?

Higher education must teach that the ethical virtues are the most important element of personal success, and the neglect of ethics would have negative repercussions in professional life. In general high ethical values must have the utmost importance in the process of internal operation of every university as well in determining the role a university place in society.