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| Selected Speeches |
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| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Chapter I - Part 1 |
| Haile Selassie I University - 1st Graduation Exercises Jul. 12, 1962 |
| Higher Education |
| ... Academic freedom, unless it conforms to the common good of the society in which it is expected to be exercised, is meaningless .... |
| Selected Speeches |
In as much as your country has provided you with this special
opportunity, you are duty-bound, upon your graduation, to devote all your
knowledge to the betterment of your motherland. What is expected of you
is not academic achievement alone. In fact, as it is at the expense of the
government that you have been educated, what is expected from you is
commensurate with the extent of your knowledge. Education is not an
end in itself, but an aid to assist you to distinguish between good and evil,
between the harmful and the useful. Academic attainment, untested by
practical experience, does not put one in any better position than that of
the uneducated. Higher education entails comparatively higher
responsibility or obligation.
The purpose of univesity training is to produce people capable of achieving
the progress and advancement of the nation. People of such calibre are
expected to possess deep insight, high academic discipline and intellectual
zeal to crave and search for truth, to know not only the causes but also
effective remedies for any ills that affect the society. Unless one is guided
by such noble objectives -- to know, not only the maladies and how to
expound them in vain words but also to present effective solutions and
accomplish them -- the possession of degrees alone does not classify
anyone as fully educated. This is particularly so at this period, crowded as
it is with continuous change and improvement. Moreover, since our
educational system is essentially based upon the experience of other
countries, the impact of modernization could create contradictions in our
long-standing African traditions. We can only lay a sure and stable
foundation towards rapid progress for Africa if We foresee the
consequences of every step in its true aspect, and try to apply effective
and appropriate methods to the problems of each country.
opportunity, you are duty-bound, upon your graduation, to devote all your
knowledge to the betterment of your motherland. What is expected of you
is not academic achievement alone. In fact, as it is at the expense of the
government that you have been educated, what is expected from you is
commensurate with the extent of your knowledge. Education is not an
end in itself, but an aid to assist you to distinguish between good and evil,
between the harmful and the useful. Academic attainment, untested by
practical experience, does not put one in any better position than that of
the uneducated. Higher education entails comparatively higher
responsibility or obligation.
The purpose of univesity training is to produce people capable of achieving
the progress and advancement of the nation. People of such calibre are
expected to possess deep insight, high academic discipline and intellectual
zeal to crave and search for truth, to know not only the causes but also
effective remedies for any ills that affect the society. Unless one is guided
by such noble objectives -- to know, not only the maladies and how to
expound them in vain words but also to present effective solutions and
accomplish them -- the possession of degrees alone does not classify
anyone as fully educated. This is particularly so at this period, crowded as
it is with continuous change and improvement. Moreover, since our
educational system is essentially based upon the experience of other
countries, the impact of modernization could create contradictions in our
long-standing African traditions. We can only lay a sure and stable
foundation towards rapid progress for Africa if We foresee the
consequences of every step in its true aspect, and try to apply effective
and appropriate methods to the problems of each country.
| Co-ordination Necessary |
We have never failed to observe this approach in all stages of achievement
in the past. The very valid proof of this is that, although it is more than a
decade since institutions of higher learning have been established in
Ethiopia, there has always been sound co-operation between the
administrative bodies and the students. The basis of this co-operation has
been a collective effort for the common goal, the interest of the country
always paramount. In the future also, it is Our wish and determination
that all higher studies shall be co-ordinated and guided by this University.
Ethiopia is endeavouring, like many other countries, to achieve a high stage
of technological progress. In this period of concentrated effort, she
cannot afford to be handicapped by trivial problems based on selfish
motives....
The world today has become oriented to science, which has developed
and progressed to a remarkable extent. Apart from the will of the
Almighty, in this 20th Century peace is determined by the will of the
technologically advanced nations which dominate the sentiments of
mankind by this priviledged position. Intent on freeing themselves from
such fear and insecurity, developing countries are using the level of
progress of these advanced nations as the yard-stick of their own
progress. Developing nations, however, must first attain the basic
standard of civilization by stamping out illiteracy through mass education.
To be able to provide mass education, co-operation, peaceful co-existence
and dedication to the common good are needed; because to arrive at higher
scientific achievement, one has to discipline one's mental attitude and work
with the aim of being the recipient of true knowledge.
So far, the continuous co-operation of Our people and the small cadre
of elite we have produced have enabled Us to devise successful
short-cuts in guiding Our country towards the goal of progress. One
such method was, side by side with educational expansion, to launch
simultaneously more than one programme of development, by
acquiring the services of skilled foreign experts and establishing
industrial and other development schemes, without waiting until We
had Our own qualified experts. This University, which today is
granting you your degrees and diplomas, is in itself the fruit of such
combined effort which we have made in the past.
in the past. The very valid proof of this is that, although it is more than a
decade since institutions of higher learning have been established in
Ethiopia, there has always been sound co-operation between the
administrative bodies and the students. The basis of this co-operation has
been a collective effort for the common goal, the interest of the country
always paramount. In the future also, it is Our wish and determination
that all higher studies shall be co-ordinated and guided by this University.
Ethiopia is endeavouring, like many other countries, to achieve a high stage
of technological progress. In this period of concentrated effort, she
cannot afford to be handicapped by trivial problems based on selfish
motives....
The world today has become oriented to science, which has developed
and progressed to a remarkable extent. Apart from the will of the
Almighty, in this 20th Century peace is determined by the will of the
technologically advanced nations which dominate the sentiments of
mankind by this priviledged position. Intent on freeing themselves from
such fear and insecurity, developing countries are using the level of
progress of these advanced nations as the yard-stick of their own
progress. Developing nations, however, must first attain the basic
standard of civilization by stamping out illiteracy through mass education.
To be able to provide mass education, co-operation, peaceful co-existence
and dedication to the common good are needed; because to arrive at higher
scientific achievement, one has to discipline one's mental attitude and work
with the aim of being the recipient of true knowledge.
So far, the continuous co-operation of Our people and the small cadre
of elite we have produced have enabled Us to devise successful
short-cuts in guiding Our country towards the goal of progress. One
such method was, side by side with educational expansion, to launch
simultaneously more than one programme of development, by
acquiring the services of skilled foreign experts and establishing
industrial and other development schemes, without waiting until We
had Our own qualified experts. This University, which today is
granting you your degrees and diplomas, is in itself the fruit of such
combined effort which we have made in the past.
| Haile Selassie the First - July 12, 1962 |
| The Need for Home Training |
You also know that to be able to have our own qualified people even
before establishing local institutions of higher learning, We have been
sending students abroad for advanced studies, and that there are many
who have come back, and are rendering disinterested service to their
country. One of the many fundamental purposes for which We have
established this University is to have a greater number of qualified people
who will augment the efforts of those already in service and of those who
will come in the future, and, thus, to have a larger corps of trained people
not completely divorced from our traditional heritage. Although a few
learned people of our own are returning from foreign lands, We have
foreseen and are convinced that Our country's pace of progress can only
be accelerated if there is a high influx of educated Ethiopians at one and
the same time.
Economically also, the expenditure needed to help a single student through
higher studies abroad is quite sufficient to train a number of students
locally. The reason why higher studies on a large scale were impossible in
the past was mainly this: foreign training was very expensive. But We
believe that it is clear to everyone that the establishment of our own
University will give us great and valuable opportunites for expanding
higher education in Ethiopia. In addition to this, it has a significant
economic contribution, in that it helps us to save foreign exchange which
we need for investment in other fields by avoiding the transfer of money
abroad to finance our students studying in foreign lands. You most
probably know that there are many great men produced in their own home
institutions of higher learning.
In as much as higher education needs much money, the expansion of
higher learning is one of the major problems facing developing and
economically poor countries. Hence it can be said that their pace of
development is highly determined by this single factor. In the case of
Ethiopia -- the only bearer of the torch of freedom for the rest of Africa in
the past -- to prove that she is not behind in the pursuit of modern
education also, she obliged to give opportunity of access to education not
only to a few but to as many as possible. To this end, We are also quite
aware that one university is not enough but many universities must be
established in the future.
before establishing local institutions of higher learning, We have been
sending students abroad for advanced studies, and that there are many
who have come back, and are rendering disinterested service to their
country. One of the many fundamental purposes for which We have
established this University is to have a greater number of qualified people
who will augment the efforts of those already in service and of those who
will come in the future, and, thus, to have a larger corps of trained people
not completely divorced from our traditional heritage. Although a few
learned people of our own are returning from foreign lands, We have
foreseen and are convinced that Our country's pace of progress can only
be accelerated if there is a high influx of educated Ethiopians at one and
the same time.
Economically also, the expenditure needed to help a single student through
higher studies abroad is quite sufficient to train a number of students
locally. The reason why higher studies on a large scale were impossible in
the past was mainly this: foreign training was very expensive. But We
believe that it is clear to everyone that the establishment of our own
University will give us great and valuable opportunites for expanding
higher education in Ethiopia. In addition to this, it has a significant
economic contribution, in that it helps us to save foreign exchange which
we need for investment in other fields by avoiding the transfer of money
abroad to finance our students studying in foreign lands. You most
probably know that there are many great men produced in their own home
institutions of higher learning.
In as much as higher education needs much money, the expansion of
higher learning is one of the major problems facing developing and
economically poor countries. Hence it can be said that their pace of
development is highly determined by this single factor. In the case of
Ethiopia -- the only bearer of the torch of freedom for the rest of Africa in
the past -- to prove that she is not behind in the pursuit of modern
education also, she obliged to give opportunity of access to education not
only to a few but to as many as possible. To this end, We are also quite
aware that one university is not enough but many universities must be
established in the future.
| The Wealth of Our Heritage |
The establishment of our own University is an effective aid in combining
modern education with our noble traditions. Accordingly, it is Our earnest
desire that this University shall jealously guard the wealth of our heritage
and pass it on to the succeeding generation with all its richness and glory
as reflected in modern education.
We say this with the understanding that any foreign training notn assessed
in the light of one's long-standing traditions, is detrimental to the
well-being of the individual and the country, and in no way useful. We are
confident, therefore, that this University will produce useful citizens by
inculcating these views in the minds of its students.
University training entails deep research and intensive studies. Any
research should be related to the requirements and conditions of our
country. We are very optimistic that there are many historically valuable
things to be discovered. The students of this University are particularly
lucky to be of school age at this particular time, and it is Our hope that
you will avail yourselves of this exceptional opportunity and contribute to
the knowledge of your country in particular and that of mankind in
general, by revealing the hidden, great, historic lore. Our University,
therefore, has also a special contribution to make in this field.
modern education with our noble traditions. Accordingly, it is Our earnest
desire that this University shall jealously guard the wealth of our heritage
and pass it on to the succeeding generation with all its richness and glory
as reflected in modern education.
We say this with the understanding that any foreign training notn assessed
in the light of one's long-standing traditions, is detrimental to the
well-being of the individual and the country, and in no way useful. We are
confident, therefore, that this University will produce useful citizens by
inculcating these views in the minds of its students.
University training entails deep research and intensive studies. Any
research should be related to the requirements and conditions of our
country. We are very optimistic that there are many historically valuable
things to be discovered. The students of this University are particularly
lucky to be of school age at this particular time, and it is Our hope that
you will avail yourselves of this exceptional opportunity and contribute to
the knowledge of your country in particular and that of mankind in
general, by revealing the hidden, great, historic lore. Our University,
therefore, has also a special contribution to make in this field.
| Academic Freedom |
One of the fundamental principles which the establishment of a university
brings forth is the idea of academic freedom. Academic freedom, if used
for the sole purpose of acquiring true knowledge is undoubtedly the very
foundation of the pillars of education; and it is universally recognized that
it has been jealously guarded by all institutions of higher learning. An
honest and persistent quest for truth is essential to the attainment of higher
learning. In the pst, both in our country and in the rest of the world, it has
always been vital to lay down such prerequisites for intellectual
achievements in order to produce philosophers, scientists, writers and me
of academic prominence in other fields. These prerequisites have also
been the source of law and order.
We have also clearly guarded this particular right of academic freedom by
clearly stating it in all the Charters issued in the establishment of our
various colleges. But what We want you to understand very clearly is that
academic freedom, if used for any other aim than that for which it is
designed, will defeat its own purpose and be harmful rather than useful.
Academic freedom, unless it conforms to the common good of the society
in which it is expedted to be exercised, is meaningless.
Academic freedom affords a base for higher studies. And the aim of
higher studies is to serve the society which is waiting for leadership of the
educated elite. Academic freedom that does not reflect this aim has lost its
very foundation for it is no more than an instrument for the protection of
that particular right, dedicated to the true quest for knowledge that is
useful for the society. Academic freedom, on application, should be tested
always against the true end of satisfying the interest of the society. As a
proof, if academic freedom as has been applied in one country is copied
and fully applied in another, there would be a divergence, because the
purposes and aims which are expected to fulfil can never be identical, as
the interests of the people of no two countries completely coincide. Apart
from this, the interests of each country also vary with time and
circumstances.
An additional reason why academic freedom is held in high esteem and
respect is that it makes possible for human beings to improve their ideas
and improve their standard of living. For, withoutacademic freedom,
human life would remain hopelessly stagnant. However, to use this
freedom -- which is given for such noble purpose -- to divide a people
struggling to improve its life and thus make vain all its effort cannot
possibly be considered as a valid exercise of academic freedom is
practised. Such attitude is in fact to undermine the wide application of
academic freedom itself.
brings forth is the idea of academic freedom. Academic freedom, if used
for the sole purpose of acquiring true knowledge is undoubtedly the very
foundation of the pillars of education; and it is universally recognized that
it has been jealously guarded by all institutions of higher learning. An
honest and persistent quest for truth is essential to the attainment of higher
learning. In the pst, both in our country and in the rest of the world, it has
always been vital to lay down such prerequisites for intellectual
achievements in order to produce philosophers, scientists, writers and me
of academic prominence in other fields. These prerequisites have also
been the source of law and order.
We have also clearly guarded this particular right of academic freedom by
clearly stating it in all the Charters issued in the establishment of our
various colleges. But what We want you to understand very clearly is that
academic freedom, if used for any other aim than that for which it is
designed, will defeat its own purpose and be harmful rather than useful.
Academic freedom, unless it conforms to the common good of the society
in which it is expedted to be exercised, is meaningless.
Academic freedom affords a base for higher studies. And the aim of
higher studies is to serve the society which is waiting for leadership of the
educated elite. Academic freedom that does not reflect this aim has lost its
very foundation for it is no more than an instrument for the protection of
that particular right, dedicated to the true quest for knowledge that is
useful for the society. Academic freedom, on application, should be tested
always against the true end of satisfying the interest of the society. As a
proof, if academic freedom as has been applied in one country is copied
and fully applied in another, there would be a divergence, because the
purposes and aims which are expected to fulfil can never be identical, as
the interests of the people of no two countries completely coincide. Apart
from this, the interests of each country also vary with time and
circumstances.
An additional reason why academic freedom is held in high esteem and
respect is that it makes possible for human beings to improve their ideas
and improve their standard of living. For, withoutacademic freedom,
human life would remain hopelessly stagnant. However, to use this
freedom -- which is given for such noble purpose -- to divide a people
struggling to improve its life and thus make vain all its effort cannot
possibly be considered as a valid exercise of academic freedom is
practised. Such attitude is in fact to undermine the wide application of
academic freedom itself.
| Parental Agreement on Education |
One of the important contributions We are dedicated to bequeath to Our
beloved people is education. When we furst launched Our programme of
educational expansion, it was necessary to struggle against the interest of
parents in sending their children to school. But now the people,
understanding the benefits of the programme which We have been intent
to prosecute for their own betterment, are not only co-operating in sending
their children to school upon their own initiative, but many have expressed
their desire to share inthe great burden of educational expenditure which
had fallen solely on the government treasury until today, some by cash
contribution and some by building schools. This has very appropriately
proven to Us that the Ethiopian people, as in time of crisis, are still behind
Us and co-operating even in all Our administrative efforts. This has given
us encouragement and further determination to dedicate Ourself for the
people to the extent that We feel it is for their lasting welfare. Hence We
have decided to further expand education.
Wtih the help of a limited number of educated people. We have been able
to reach the present point of progress. Encouraged by the continued
service of this devoted cadre who have served Us faithfuly, We sahll
embark upon an extended educational programme.
Within a single generation, We have seen parents who had to be cajoled to
send their children to school become soe convinced of the value of
education that today, those who have the means are assisting Us in bearing
the financial burden of education, and may of those who are unable to do
likewise continue to stop Us on Our way to request that their children be
given places in the school-house. This is highly gratifying and is a source
of encouragement for Us to extend Our efforts in education. We shall
enddeavour to work for the betterment of Our people by applying funds
from Our private purse, utilising simultaneously whatever assistance
Ethiopia can receive from friendly governments.
beloved people is education. When we furst launched Our programme of
educational expansion, it was necessary to struggle against the interest of
parents in sending their children to school. But now the people,
understanding the benefits of the programme which We have been intent
to prosecute for their own betterment, are not only co-operating in sending
their children to school upon their own initiative, but many have expressed
their desire to share inthe great burden of educational expenditure which
had fallen solely on the government treasury until today, some by cash
contribution and some by building schools. This has very appropriately
proven to Us that the Ethiopian people, as in time of crisis, are still behind
Us and co-operating even in all Our administrative efforts. This has given
us encouragement and further determination to dedicate Ourself for the
people to the extent that We feel it is for their lasting welfare. Hence We
have decided to further expand education.
Wtih the help of a limited number of educated people. We have been able
to reach the present point of progress. Encouraged by the continued
service of this devoted cadre who have served Us faithfuly, We sahll
embark upon an extended educational programme.
Within a single generation, We have seen parents who had to be cajoled to
send their children to school become soe convinced of the value of
education that today, those who have the means are assisting Us in bearing
the financial burden of education, and may of those who are unable to do
likewise continue to stop Us on Our way to request that their children be
given places in the school-house. This is highly gratifying and is a source
of encouragement for Us to extend Our efforts in education. We shall
enddeavour to work for the betterment of Our people by applying funds
from Our private purse, utilising simultaneously whatever assistance
Ethiopia can receive from friendly governments.