Ebook: Imam Khomeini’s views on Academic Institutions and Academicians

Imam Khomeini pioneered a new era in world politics, however, it is not widely appreciated that he was also a great academician. Though he was a theologian, he had unique, modern and revolutionary vision of education from primary school to higher education, role of universities and religious seminaries and responsibilities of teachers, university faculty members and scholars. His ten years of exceptional politico-academic leadership in building new Iran based on resistance against global hegemony and principles of Islamic teachings, transformed the entire education system of country after the success of Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Imam emphasized key role of self-purification and self-reconstruction before acquisition of knowledge, education and training together, character building and acquisition of knowledge and skills side-by-side and ethical development with professional development. According to him, teachers, both from the schools, colleges and universities and the Islamic seminaries are the builders of a nation. They have important and heavy task not only to nurture and train intellectuals but also develop highly skilled human beings who in future, will build society, serve the poor, needy and downtrodden and will also play key role in the future leadership, management and politics of country at different levels.
Another important point that is clearly seen in the speeches and writings of Imam Khomeini is the pivotal role of universities. According to him, all the changes in any society originate from universities. Universities are the factories of manufacturing human beings and universities can make a nation successful. On the other hand, universities with corrupted education and culture can destroy the entire nation and bring the country to its knees.
According to him, the greatest dangers to universities is penetration by individuals, faculty members, intellectuals and scholars with deviant, western influenced thinking and lifestyle. This leads to bad education, training and moral upbringing of young students and distorted notion of education and service of fellow human beings, society and country in their minds. Such individuals especially instructors can make their students neglectful towards self-building and service to society. In addition west-toxication of their souls and lifestyle leads to spread of different types of moral and ideological corruption in the society. A highly educated but distorted young intellectual is more dangerous than an ignorant individual.
Finally, Imam Khomeini being a theologian, emphasizes divine aspects of education and training. According to him the profession of teachers and faculty members is similar to the mission of all the prophets. The divinely sent prophets purified human souls and educated them and reformed whole society – freeing it of corruption and oppression. Similarly, teachers educate and train students and shape their character so that they make progress in their careers and develop into not only successful professionals of but also virtuous servants of God and humble supporters of their fellow human beings in a society.
This book was compiled from the Persian version with the help of Sahifa of Imam Khomeini in English. Extensive editing was carried out to make it suitable for English speaking readers. I thank my student Mahdieh who really worked hard in preparing this book. Thanks also to Dr. Fatima Reza for her help in converting it to final book form.
I hope this book will enlighten readers in the field of education and training.