World crisis: Int’l Varsities President prescribes inter-culture links as solution

From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

The President of International Association of Universities (IAU) Prof. D. zulkifli AbdulRazak, has prescribed inter-links of cultures, education and technology as solution to world problems.

The former Vice-Chancellor of two Universities in Malaysia, also called for the formulation of research programmes that would not endanger lives and ecological system of the world.

AbdulRazak who stated this while delivering the 30th University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) convocation lecture titled “Innovation: A Trans-disciplinary Approach, noted that there is the need for students to be taught how to reduce over dependent on technology.

He explained that to solve world problems, enough work must be done on how to re-unite culture and technology by policy makers and academicians across the world.

Abdulrazak said to foil tensions of wars across the world and create balance among the nations, advanced nations must not arrogate power to themselves hoping that other nations would not surpass them.

The IAU president who lamented effects of war in Iraq and other countries in middle belt said ecology and environment have been damaged while areas affected would suffer a lot in term of education and technology development.

According to him, with the trend of globalization in prosperity should be shared among people rather than living an individualistic life.

On higher education, he noted that qualification should not be given priority rather the power of an individual to solve problem.

He explained that individuals need to seek for knowledge and ensure they use same in connecting to the larger environment to put an end to multi- dimensional issues before them.

He said without connecting academic research with immediate environment, there can’t be development in any nation.

Earlier in his welcome address titled “Timely Intervention”, the Vice- Chancellor of the University Prof. Ambali, said the convocation lecturer has impacted a lot in Malaysian education and other international education associations stressing that his vast experience would be of greater need to Nigerians.