AIUB is excited to announce being the signatory of Magna Carta Universitatum - MCU 2020: a global commitment to promote and support academic freedom, institutional autonomy, the connection between teaching and research, social responsibility, and the core values of higher education.
The original Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU) was first signed by 388 universities from around the world in 1988 on the 900th anniversary of the founding of the University of Bologna. The document contained the fundamental principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Its purpose was to guide universities in achieving good governance and self-understanding in the future.
Due to the whirlwind changes in the education sector a revised MCU was adopted by the Governing Council of the Magna Charta Observatory (MCO) in July 2020. The new MCU is a document for the higher education sector. While preserving the essence of the original foundational document, the revised MCU strives to be responsive to and resonate with contemporary challenges and concerns. It recognizes the global nature of universities and the wider range of local responsibilities they have in serving local communities. To date, nearly 1000 universities from 94 countries have signed MCU 2020.
‘Responsive and Responsible University’ is an initiative created in 2022 by the Magna Charta Observatory to initiate academic research looking into the role of universities in the context of the 21st century. The project looks at how activities and research developed at universities might best “engage with and respond to the aspirations and challenges of the world and to the communities they serve, to benefit humanity and contribute to sustainability”. (MCO, 2020: 1). It will help universities to develop studies looking into their own realities on how they are engaging with society, be it locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally, and reflect on the idea of responsiveness and responsibility.
American International University - Bangladesh recently signed the MCU 2020, and partnering with Mykolas Romeris University – Lithuania, AIUB has been carrying out one of this ‘Responsive and Responsible University’ project. Through this project AIUB now aims to undertake significant economic and social development initiatives for women, children, and underprivileged people in the slum area of Korail.
The socio-environmental conditions in the Korail slum are unfavorable for survival due to a lack of basic needs and overpopulation. AIUB will start these initiatives for responsive and responsible university research project through "Women empowerment in slum areas," "Low and sustainable housing," "Education for underprivileged," "Creating opportunities for young women entrepreneurs," and "Motivating young people for social welfare”.
Other institutions may join MCU by signing the 2020 MCU and become part of a community committed to continuously improving the future of higher education, via the following link:
https://www.magna-charta.org/magna-charta-universitatum/mcu2020
#MCU2020 #ResponsibleUniversities #AcademicFreedom
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