54 Ethics in Higher Education: Values-driven Leaders for the Future
3.2 Discussion
What follows is my reflection, based on the inspiration from my
cultural and religious heritage, proposing a Seven Point Programme in
view of this evolving integral, interdisciplinary, and interdependent
programme of education.
(i) WHOLE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY (vasudhaiva
kutumbakam): Human consciousness is ever evolving and
undergoing transformation in tune with the enlightenment
and wisdom in the course of one’s experiment with truth.
Higher education and consequently responsible leadership
depend heavily on the simple, refined, and the complexity
of consciousness. Awakening of consciousness is the
field of higher education. Education, ultimately, aims to
bring out the best in a person to live in harmony with
every reality out there. One is educated to fine tune the
information and experiential knowledge into a beautiful
melody of eternal music. Education is primarily and
fundamentally to assist the seekers of wisdom to play the
symphony of life – to celebrate life – using the given
seven notes, on the stage of the universe. The saying,
vasudhaiva kutumbakam, means that the whole world is
one family, (Maha Upanishad 6, 72) is an epitome of
human flourishing, the goal of all education. It is an
invitation to live the ideal of universal sisterhood and
brotherhood, attending to the needs and demands of every
kith and kin, including the flora and fauna, the fish in the
water, the birds in the air, the animals on earth, in this
well-knit universe. The panoramic vision and friendly
relationship celebrated in the Canticle of Creation of
Francis of Assisi is a representation of this great ideal.