In The Idea of a University John Henry Newman argued that the purpose of higher education was ‘to open the mind, to correct it, to refine it, to enable it to know, and to digest, master, rule, and use its knowledge, to give it power over its own faculties.’
I often wonder what he would make of modern campus culture.
No-platforming. Tearing down statues. Fostering victim culture. Right-on academics so adorned with the Emperor’s New Clothes that they are unable to distinguish the work of their peers from parody. Degree titles so niche that they have the future employment benefit of a semester of all-night sessions on the After Shock.
It can’t get worse, can it?
Step forward Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). It’s a respectable University. Well, it should be. Amongst their illustrious alumni ARU can boast the two best members of Pink Floyd and Lord (Michael) Ashcroft. Oh, and Junius Ho. Junius Ho is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, and is well known for being close to Beijing and an all-round villain.
The folk at ARU seemed to like Ho.
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