|
|
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The following excerpt comes from the State of the University Address delivered by President Peter Hoff on October 8, 2002. It dedicates the University of Maine to active research in the area of Homeland Security. The complete address is available at the University of Maine website. Touching the Earth: The State of the University Peter S. Hoff .... THE POST-911 UNIVERSITY It has become a cliché that on September 11, 2001 "the world changed completely." And while we all still mourn those who suffered from that tragedy, while we recognize the impact it has had on our personal lives, and while we have also in some ways returned to everyday realities, we definitely need to explore and act on the changes that September 11 brought to the university. We have both an obligation and a responsibility to make UMaine truly a "Post-911 University." This means many things. It means recognizing that our country was not the only entity to come under attack. Citizens of more than 80 nations perished in the World Trade towers. Every civilized nation, and in fact the very essence of civilization and its humane values, came under attack. Since universities are the world's best repositories and transmitters of those values, universities must fight back by doing what they do best: educating citizens of the world to think rationally and live with the highest ethical and social values. We should re-evaluate our curriculum and the ways we teach it, making sure that we emphasize critical thinking and the formation of values, the study of foreign languages and the diverse cultures of the world, and subjects that will help us understand the changes that have taken place: subjects like "the psychology of patriotism," "worldwide challenges to health and economic well being," and "the nature of religious fundamentalism." Furthermore we have a responsibility to contribute to public understanding of national policy issues, not the least of which is the ongoing debate over engaging in war with nations that abet terrorism. And while we seek a better understanding of our world, there are things we can do to make our country safer. UMaine's research prowess already extends to areas like chemical and biological sensors, which can be used to detect terrorist threats, and like emergency preparedness, which can help make our population more ready for whatever form the next threat takes. UMaine should convene its research faculty to meet and consider a systematic plan to turn research attention to areas where we have top-level expertise in homeland defense. We have it in our power to engage in a "Manhattan Project" aimed at making all Americans safer. .... For More Information Contact: |
|
Send mail to markov@cs.umaine.edu with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
