I remember during presenting his book entitled “Higher Education in Malaysia: Personal Experiences and New Perspectives”, my eminent Guru & Former Chancellor of University of Cyberjaya, Malaysia, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Anuwar Ali, said, “The shift to the knowledge society puts the person in the center. In so doing, it raises new challenges, new issues, new concerns and unprecedented questions about the knowledge society's representative, the educated person. But in the knowledge society, the educated person is society's emblem, society's symbol, society's standard-bearer. The educated person defines society's performance capacity, and become the central resource. But he or she also embodies society's values, beliefs, and commitments.”
I totally agree with Professor Tan Sri Anuwar, this must change the very meaning of “educated person." It must change the very meaning of what it means to be educated. It will thus predictably make the definition of an “educated person” a crucial issue. With knowledge becoming the key resource, therefore, educated person faces new demands, new challenges, new responsibilities. Even though Artificial Intelligence excels at rapid data processing & pattern matching, however an educated person possesses the contextual understanding, critical thinking, and emotional depth. The educated person now matters.
As Adjunct Professor for several graduate business schools, including University of Cyberjaya, I realized the great tradition and the wisdom, beauty, and knowledge that are the heritage of mankind. But a bridge to the past is not enough. The educated person needs to be able to bring his or her knowledge to bear on the present, and to have a role in molding the future. Tomorrow's educated person will have to be prepared for life in a global world. Educated persons will practice their knowledge as members of an organization that of the “intellectual”, and that of the “manager” who focuses on people & work.
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