The inaugural function of the Academy of Philosophy and Professional Ethics (APPE) was held in the Utkal University auditorium here on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Dr Ashok Kumar Das said values are a prime necessity in collective living. “We need to cultivate values for a sustainable social order,” he opined. Chief guest Prof Hrudananda Ray highlighted the inadequacies of the present system of education which takes into account the performance of the students on the basis of Intelligence quotient (IQ) only.
“Man is not only a thinking being but also a feeling being and a doing being. Hence, the emotional quotient (EQ) and the volitional quotient (VQ) are also to be cultivated,” he said.
President Prof Prafulla Kumar Mohaptra said there is need of study of ethics and to chalk out modalities to effect transition from theory to practice to effect values. He stressed the need of promoting critical thinking to address issues in personal and social life.
Academy director Prof Aditya Kumar Mohanty appraised the aims and objectives of the organization to address the cause of philosophy and professional ethics. He informed that organisation is mulling to conduct Certificate courses for executives, technocrats and professionals.
Besides it would conduct national and international seminars from time to time and publish international journal and promote inter-disciplinary research in Philosophy, he said.
Dr Harmohan Mishra gave the Vedic invocation and Dr Gopa Nayak proposed the vote of thanks. The meeting was largely attended by teachers of colleges, students and scholars of different disciplines.