Training Institute (TI) organized the 1st In-Campus Academic Dialogue
Ethiopian Civil Service University ( ECSU ) Training Institute (TI) organized the 1st In-Campus Academic Dialogue under the theme of “ Defining Scholars and Their Duties in the Modern Era” on 15 February 2024 at Hidasse Hall.
On the opening of the dialogue, Dr. Azebe Assefa, Dean of Training Institute, welcomed the presenter and the participants and said that holding the academic dialogues and fostering the culture of dialogue at ECSU is one of the priorities of the strategic goals of the university. In this regard, ECSU Training Institute cascaded this goal and launched this scholarly dialogue program that brings together the academia and discusses various economic, social and political issues, Dr. Azeb said. She also noted that the primary objective of this dialogue is to foster academic culture at ECSU by bringing members of the academic community from various disciplines and creating a space of sharing diverse voices which can be heard and respected. The academic dialogue evokes deep insight and provides the overall framing of being a scholar or an academician Dr. Azeb noted. She also thanked the organizers of the dialogue and all the participants.
The speaker of the educational dialogue, Dr. Samson Estifanos, presented detailed explanation of the definition, operational standards and basic personality characteristics of being a scholar. According to him, currently, people use the words scholar, elite, and intellectuals interchangeably to describe the academic society. He said that being a scholar is not only having knowledge in different fields of study; it should be integrated with being honest and foreseeing the future. Scholars should meet the basic operational standard that includes having specialized knowledge at least in one field of study, possessing an intellectual mind that can dig out evidence based knowledge, discharging the social responsibilities expected from him or her and possessing the basic personality and characteristics of intellectual, Dr. Samson explained.
He also expounded on ten basic characteristics that define intellectuals. According to him, these ten characteristics are a scholar/ or an intellectual person possesses continuous knowledge and wisdom, has an inquisitive mind, preserves and disseminates evidence based knowledge, understands and takes care that he influences the society, always stands by the side of truth, prepared himself for sacrifice, sees all people equally, serves as an ambassador of peace between the government and the community, does not say that he knows everything, and does not withdraw himself from the political arena.
Finally, Dr. Samson underlined that scholars need to take care of their actions and speeches being aware of the influence that exerts on the society and work hard for the next generation and discharge their responsibilities in a professional manner.
Dr. Samson Estifanos is Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Theology with huge educational and work experiences and currently working freelancer as a medical and social researcher in Ethiopia.