EXPLORING NEW PARADIGM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, CLUES FROM DR IQBAL AND RABINDERNATH TAGORE

Abstract

Today modern higher education is mostly de-linked from the values, despite being a fundamental and worldwide phenomena, it has been confined only with producing degrees, certificates and jobs. Although jobs are essential but secondary what actually is primary that is for the spiritual transformation and as such little attempt has been made given to this direction. Research and education are inseparable or like the two sides of the same coin. If one derails, the other will automatically derail. Therefore, both need to be healthy in order to make a perfect man. Modern research is also an effort to discover wealth of the soul. Men of genius such as Dr Iqbal and Rabindernath Tagore exist in the top list of such luminaries. Both upheld the dignity of man without the shackles of artificiality. This made both critical of western life which on the face of it seems attractive but deeper down; they are disappointing and deplorable, because the content value of this direction is disappointing. Nowadays higher education remains only material glory not spiritual. It is not beyond the brackets of modernity and artificiality. Thus, this paper tries to bring light about the values and purpose of higher education and research according to these icons. Iqbal and Tagore’s affirmation are, on self development, spiritual development and the world around the human being. This paper is detailed and comprehensive on higher education within the context of Iqbal and Tagore’s relevance with modern trends.