The philosophy of Nigeria education is based on the belief that education is the vehicle for effective human and national development. Ward (1883) says “education is essential motive force for progress”. He stressed that educational institutions are Centre for human betterment for the progress of society. Nations all over the world are concerned about education both at the national and international levels as a way of fostering human and national development.
According to UNESCO (2000) the gathering of some 189 nations at the world education forum in Dakar marked a global resurgence in the recognition of the indispensable role education and educational institutions play in social and economic development thus reaffirming the perception of education as a social function.
Educational institutions, especially the tertiary ones ought to bear some levels of social responsibilities to the society that sustains their existence and operations. Social responsibility in the words of Nichols, McHugh and McHugh (1997) is the concern corporate institutions have for the welfare of the society which sustains their operations. The ability of most tertiary educational institutions to deliver on these subsidiary objectives defines their social responsibility.
The idea of corporate social responsibility has been around for a long time, beginning with the work of writers such as Bowen (1953 – cited by many as the ‘father’ of corporate social responsibility) and carrying on through the work of Davis (1960, 1973), Johnson (1971), Jones (1980, 1983) and more recently Carroll (1991, 1999). The idea really exploded however in the period following the East summit in 1992, since which event corporate social responsibility has become a veritable industry in its own right with its own ‘practitioners, journals and conferences’ etc.
WBSCSD (2000) in reviewing the evolution of corporate social responsibility argued that it has been successfully main streamed and that “partnerships and alliances that are firmly rooted in social responsibility ground are flourishing. Among them are a range of collaborations which promote such initiatives as good employee relations, community empowerment, educational awareness and supply chain/customer engagement. Sensible organizations dare not embark on major decisions without having first undertaken well organized dialogues with their stakeholders”.
On the other hand, corporate social responsibility is perceived by critics as little more than public relations exercise designed to give the appearance of social responsibility and changing commercial practice whilst in reality doing nothing to change corporate priorities or operating practices.
According to Wood (1991) it functions as built-in, self-regulating mechanism whereby corporate bodies would monitor and ensure its support to law, ethical standards and international norms. It follows therefore that corporate entities would embrace responsibilities for the impact of their activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere. Every corporate social responsibility focused organization would proactively promote the public interest by encouraging community growth and development, and eliminating practices that harm the public regardless of legality.
The establishment of universities always has a positive impact on the host communities. All over the world, communities have always been positively impacted by the universities they host. In the US and UK respectively, institutions like the Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology also known as MIT, Harvard University, University of Yale, Oxford University, Cambridge University, Princeton University, University of Aberdeen and lots more, have changed the economies of their host communities.
If the MIT were to be a country, it will be the 11th largest economy in the world, with over 3.3 million jobs created, twenty-five thousand, six hundred companies started by its alumni, which has generated two trillion dollars in revenue. The Oxford University, the colleges and Oxford University press on the other hand, is said to be the largest employer in Oxfordshire, thereby supporting about sixteen thousand, and five hundred jobs, and generating more than 750 million pounds as revenue for the region.
These are world class universities making world class impact on their host communities, state, country and the world at large.
On our very own soil, DE-WORLD UNIVERSITY MGBOWO courtesy of Rev. Kevin Eze is taking up the challenge to enhance quality education delivery as it seeks for better ways to provide world class services to impact its host community, the state, region, country and the African continent at large. To this end, the status of De-World University Mgbowo if completed will rank among the first 10 Nigerian universities, thereby making it one of the most sought-after universities in the country.
Rev. Kevin Eze, the Chancellor of the De-World University Mgbowo, is not a stranger when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility. In the past, he has embarked on so many community development projects and activities such as the building of a block of classes in Girls Secondary School Mgbowo, giving scholarship to students and pupils, providing schools with exercise books, text books, football game equipment, generators and chairs in Mgbowo. Rev. Kevin also in the past contributed immensely towards the improvement of (Eke-Mgbowo) market facilities; he provided Neighborhood Security Personnel with motorcycles and other security gadgets.
Beyond all these, it is the quest of making Mgbowo oasis of knowledge and an economic nerve in Awgu that is most interesting. With the launch of De-World University with its various electronic platforms, countless economic activities are likely to emerge around the university environment more than any other area in Awgu LGA. Thus, the products and services being championed by the university will create employment opportunities for the host community and thereby increase the overall economic activities; making it one of the richest host communities of universities in Enugu State if properly harnessed.
By Humphrey Onyima
The Publisher of Leadership Scorecard magazine
scorecardintl@gmail.com
www.leadershipscorecard.com
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