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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter I - Part 1 |
| Haile Selassie I University - 5th Graduation Exercises Jun. 30, 1966 |
| Higher Education |
| ... The mere existence of a fund of knowledge is not enough; unless knowledge is nurtured and nourished by devoted teachers and eager students alike, it will, like a pool of water following the rains change its hue and slowly disappear ... |
| Selected Speeches |
It gives Us great satisfaction today, at the end of the academic year, to
observe the number of students who have successfully passed this
University's requirements and who are assembled here today to take part in
this commencement ceremony. This is a rewarding and long-awaited
occasion for each of you, as it is for Us personally, and We congratulate
each one who will today receive his diploma from Our hands.
Although you have reached this high landmark in your academic training,
your education is not complete; there is no end to learning. During your
years of study We hope that you have come to understand and appreciate
the signficance and the importance of education, educational institutions,
and of this University in particular. We hope that its role in the life of the
nation is in 1966, and what its potential is for the future.
For Us, the importance of this University -- indeed, of any institution of
higher education -- is fourfold. First, it provides the institutional
framework wherein ancient and tested and proven knowledge can be
passed on to the present and future generations. Lacking such a
framework, neither a country nor an educational system can bequeath and
transmit profound knowledge to posterity. In this same fashion, the
existence of Ge'ez and Amharic have enabled Ethiopia to preserve and pass
to later generations the civilization and culture of her ancient people.
Second is the discovery and development of new knowledge through
research. A university which does not expand the frontiers of learning
through research can only be short-lived.
Third is the discharge of the obiligation to teach others which the very
creation of such an institution implies and embodies. This is its supreme
function. The creation of the institutional framework alone does not
guarantee that teaching will be effective; nor does the growth of learning
within the university's walls by itself ensure that knowledge will be spread
and diffused. The mere existence of a fund of knowledge is not enough;
unless knowledge is nurtured and nourished by devoted teachers and eager
students alike, it will, like a pool of water following the rains change its
hue and slowly disappear.
observe the number of students who have successfully passed this
University's requirements and who are assembled here today to take part in
this commencement ceremony. This is a rewarding and long-awaited
occasion for each of you, as it is for Us personally, and We congratulate
each one who will today receive his diploma from Our hands.
Although you have reached this high landmark in your academic training,
your education is not complete; there is no end to learning. During your
years of study We hope that you have come to understand and appreciate
the signficance and the importance of education, educational institutions,
and of this University in particular. We hope that its role in the life of the
nation is in 1966, and what its potential is for the future.
For Us, the importance of this University -- indeed, of any institution of
higher education -- is fourfold. First, it provides the institutional
framework wherein ancient and tested and proven knowledge can be
passed on to the present and future generations. Lacking such a
framework, neither a country nor an educational system can bequeath and
transmit profound knowledge to posterity. In this same fashion, the
existence of Ge'ez and Amharic have enabled Ethiopia to preserve and pass
to later generations the civilization and culture of her ancient people.
Second is the discovery and development of new knowledge through
research. A university which does not expand the frontiers of learning
through research can only be short-lived.
Third is the discharge of the obiligation to teach others which the very
creation of such an institution implies and embodies. This is its supreme
function. The creation of the institutional framework alone does not
guarantee that teaching will be effective; nor does the growth of learning
within the university's walls by itself ensure that knowledge will be spread
and diffused. The mere existence of a fund of knowledge is not enough;
unless knowledge is nurtured and nourished by devoted teachers and eager
students alike, it will, like a pool of water following the rains change its
hue and slowly disappear.
| Practical Aspect Emphasized |
And since a university is established and maintained through the will and
support of a people and a government. We may consider, lastly, the use
to be made of the knowledge which it has acquired or developed and
which it is now transmitting to others. Clearly, this knowledge must be
devoted to the ultimate fulfillment of the needs and desires of those to
whom the university owes its being. A university which is unconcerned
with the practical impact of the work on the people and the nation, which
limits its horizons to the theoretical and the abstract and its activities to the
library and the labratory, cannot long expect to enljoy the support of the
people and the nation.
It is Our most earnest wish that this University meet all of these
requirements so that the full force of the promise which holds out to the
future of Our beloved country may be well and gloriously realized. You
graduates who have had, through your year of service to the nation, the
opportunity to see at first hand the impact of your education upon your
country and to observe at first hand the nation's needs, are in a better
position to understand and evaluate the extent to which this is today being
accomplished. This is the essential purpose of the National Service
Programme: the development within each one of you of the inner sense of
service to the nation. Only through dedication and sacrifice can one truly
help and benefit his country.
Although the pressure imposed by the need for training more teachers is
still felt, We note with great satisfaction that the number of Ethiopian
teachers has increased in the five years of the University's existence. In
order to attain self-sufficiency, we must give priority to overcoming this
shortage. We cannot depend always on others. "The disciple is not above
his master." We urge you, the teachers, who have a close acquaintance
with the conditions of your country, to use your education for conducting
valuable research directed towards the alleviation of the problems of your
country. Teach, learn, and thereby extend increasingly the frontiers of
your knowledge.
Some of you graduates of the Class of 1966 were unable to purse full time
university education. Despite this, you devoted your spare time to your
studies, determined that this should not constitute a serious impediment in
your work. You have been found worthy, and you, in particular, deserve
congratulations.
support of a people and a government. We may consider, lastly, the use
to be made of the knowledge which it has acquired or developed and
which it is now transmitting to others. Clearly, this knowledge must be
devoted to the ultimate fulfillment of the needs and desires of those to
whom the university owes its being. A university which is unconcerned
with the practical impact of the work on the people and the nation, which
limits its horizons to the theoretical and the abstract and its activities to the
library and the labratory, cannot long expect to enljoy the support of the
people and the nation.
It is Our most earnest wish that this University meet all of these
requirements so that the full force of the promise which holds out to the
future of Our beloved country may be well and gloriously realized. You
graduates who have had, through your year of service to the nation, the
opportunity to see at first hand the impact of your education upon your
country and to observe at first hand the nation's needs, are in a better
position to understand and evaluate the extent to which this is today being
accomplished. This is the essential purpose of the National Service
Programme: the development within each one of you of the inner sense of
service to the nation. Only through dedication and sacrifice can one truly
help and benefit his country.
Although the pressure imposed by the need for training more teachers is
still felt, We note with great satisfaction that the number of Ethiopian
teachers has increased in the five years of the University's existence. In
order to attain self-sufficiency, we must give priority to overcoming this
shortage. We cannot depend always on others. "The disciple is not above
his master." We urge you, the teachers, who have a close acquaintance
with the conditions of your country, to use your education for conducting
valuable research directed towards the alleviation of the problems of your
country. Teach, learn, and thereby extend increasingly the frontiers of
your knowledge.
Some of you graduates of the Class of 1966 were unable to purse full time
university education. Despite this, you devoted your spare time to your
studies, determined that this should not constitute a serious impediment in
your work. You have been found worthy, and you, in particular, deserve
congratulations.
| Haile Selassie the First - June 30, 1966 |
| Ranks Must Be Filled |
Today, Our eyes and Our hopes are on all you graduates. We hope that
the seeds of learning which you have received will, in the service which
you render, ripen into an abundant harvest. We assumed the obligation to
foster and expand education in Our nation both as a solemn duty, because
the nation can flourish and grow only as the ranks of the teachers and
students are expanded and filled; as a matter of free will, because man
would prefer to speak of his nation in terms of its educated men and
women rather than by recounting the size of its population.
Those of you who have not yet completed your studies look forward with
hopes and impatience to the day when you, too, will attain this honour.
To you We give the message of St. Paul: "Who looks back, having once
put his hand to the plough?"
These words remind Us as well of the need for more universitities, for
more teachers, more schools, more students and more work. They
commit us ever more fully to the search for the outer limits of the fronties
of learning. Until these have been achieved, no one can enjoy peace of
mind.
Dynamism, coupled with a conscientious concern for the well-being of the
nation are the necesary qualities of the youthful mind. You have had a
better educational opportunity than many. Evaluate your ideas; separate
the good in them from the bad. Your hands once put to the plough, do not
look back. Education molds human elements in man. It develops him
from adolescence to manhood. Let usefulness be your hallmark today, not
adolescence.
Once again, We congratulate you all, and we thank Almighty God that you
have proved yourself deserving of this occasion.
the seeds of learning which you have received will, in the service which
you render, ripen into an abundant harvest. We assumed the obligation to
foster and expand education in Our nation both as a solemn duty, because
the nation can flourish and grow only as the ranks of the teachers and
students are expanded and filled; as a matter of free will, because man
would prefer to speak of his nation in terms of its educated men and
women rather than by recounting the size of its population.
Those of you who have not yet completed your studies look forward with
hopes and impatience to the day when you, too, will attain this honour.
To you We give the message of St. Paul: "Who looks back, having once
put his hand to the plough?"
These words remind Us as well of the need for more universitities, for
more teachers, more schools, more students and more work. They
commit us ever more fully to the search for the outer limits of the fronties
of learning. Until these have been achieved, no one can enjoy peace of
mind.
Dynamism, coupled with a conscientious concern for the well-being of the
nation are the necesary qualities of the youthful mind. You have had a
better educational opportunity than many. Evaluate your ideas; separate
the good in them from the bad. Your hands once put to the plough, do not
look back. Education molds human elements in man. It develops him
from adolescence to manhood. Let usefulness be your hallmark today, not
adolescence.
Once again, We congratulate you all, and we thank Almighty God that you
have proved yourself deserving of this occasion.
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