Books are our Universities

Carlyle, the great Victorian thinker, defined modern universities as a collection of books. He thereby meant to emphasize the important role of University Education. A University library has its own contribution to make towards university contribution and the acquisition of knowledge. It is a treasure house of knowledge. Yet it is a treasure within the reach of those who wish to grasp it.

To get the best of education, students at all Universities should be prepared to spend hours reading and consulting books in library. This inculcates not only the habit of study but also that of research. Reading, study and thought will encourage self-reliance and develop critical judgment. A student will be able to form is own opinion of what he reads.

Reading thoughtfully, intensively and deeply will put the mind of the student in touch with minds of the great. It will refine his intellect and make him really cultured.

A University is a Centre of learning where students come from all parts of the earth to study and benefit from the guidance of great teacher. To say that books are our universities is to underestimate the role of great teachers in University Education. However rich a library may be, a University cannot rely entirely on books to fulfill the aims of University education. A teacher, who has profound knowledge of the subject, and ability to guide research, is indispensable part of University education. He can throw light on obscurities and ambiguities that puzzle the student when thrown on his own resources. He can also guide discussion groups and make education a satisfying activity. Hence the saying “Books are our Universities” is only partly right, for there are other factors too which have to be taken in account in estimating the success of University education.

“There are times when wisdom cannot be found in depths of book but in halls of academia.”