An end to the era of “like” and “um”. In the end, the decision is at the side of the top management and the success based on the support of the middle management. Creepsters, our new Halloween mask and apparel line is here. He is internationally recognised for his research and practice in sustainable urban water management and Water Sensitive Urban Design. So, fear not, I promise your precious phones and computers will still be there when you get done eating, or when you finish in the bathroom, or when you finish listening to one of your friends vent to you. If someone, like myself, has a different opinion, he or she should not feel afraid to speak what they believe it right in fear that he or she will be ridiculed for believing in something different. In this case, economy is related and interconnected with different institutions such as labor, capital, currency, etc. However, the role of universities needs to be reconsidered, in terms of the extent to which they shall contribute to a learning society. Phillip Johnstone is an honorary Associate Professor at Monash University leading the Science-Policy Partnerships project of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. It’s dinner. It’s not that difficult of a habit to break if you give a little thought, so let’s leave these subconscious phenomena in 2014. 3. 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For instance, please read these thoughts by Forrest Tennant, taken from the article 5 Things We Need More Of In Society Today […]. A theoretical fundament for key concepts in transitions studies is provided. It is important to replace the self-referential character of an ivory tower with a more open and responsive approach to a highly uncertain future. Learn about us. Society has great expectations of universities. Rebekah R. Brown is a Professor in the School of Political & Social Inquiry at Monash University and Director of Monash Water for Liveability as well as Leader of the Society Program for the newly founded Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. 2. I’m guilty of this, and others are guilty of this when it comes to listening to my, as some deem them “Forrest fires.” This is actually not okay, and it has no justification. Uncivilized societies could have no food or shelter. I benefit from a society in which individuals can use these items to make everyday life easier and a bit more entertaining in some aspects. Because it comes off as unprofessional and downright annoying. I was always taught to give someone eye contact when engaging in a conversation with them. Holding a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor (honours) of Civil Engineering, she has been the driving force of many interdisciplinary projects around transitions to sustainable urban water management. Throughout its growth into a research field in its own right, transitions have been suggested as essential in overcoming the socio-technical lock-ins that make many of today's infrastructural solutions and servicing systems untenable. It is thus necessary to balance the creative grassroots developments—in particular initiated by small and medium sized companies—and the strategic interests of societies (in the field of renewable energies, for example). He obtained his Ph.D. in Transitions Studies at the Dutch Research Institute for Transitions under supervision of Prof. Jan Rotmans. Submit your writing to be published on Thought Catalog. Having your phone out while eating is fine if you’re by yourself, but if you’re dining with other friends/guests, having your phone out is the ultimate disrespect. After completing her Arts degree with majors in Philosophy and Sociology, Rachelle soon returned to Monash University to complete her Masters in Environment and Sustainability. The European Union has set some interesting benchmarks with “ECVET”; a credit system for prior and informal learning achievements on the job. I can tell when someone is absorbing and understanding what I have to say to them, and vice versa. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads. Sign up for the Thought Catalog Weekly and get the best stories from the week to your inbox every Friday. This, of course, was a way of retrieving more funding. You’re guilty of it. This article proposes a different point of view of societal systems and transitions, where societal systems are considered to be systems that have evolved to meet societal needs. It seems to me that it takes more effort, concentration and frustration to type a conversation out on the phone, than to just vocally communicate. Trust me. Already now, we can see interesting and successful examples, such as the OER University. Some needs of a society are food, water and oxygen. Likely for that reason, transitions and the systems in need of them are often described in terms of change in infrastructure and services in those societal systems. However, this should be extended to: How can traditional educational institutions meet the needs of today’s society? Efforts need to be made at an individual, national, international, and political level, to tackle them with conviction. It is okay to not speak at a million miles per hour, avoiding stumbling over your words. Required fields are marked *, Rolf Reinhardt | Managing Director, Learning Agency Network, Alex Read | Program Development Strategist in the College of Continuing Education, Sacramento State University, Dan Vigdor | Founder and Executive Chairman, HackerU, Matthew Meyer | Associate Vice President for STEM Innovation and Strategic Planning, North Carolina Community College System, Lewis Brown | Vice President of Partnerships, CAEL. A basis for liveability assessment in the urban water servicing context is given. Your email address will not be published. Liveability and sustainability are defined and understood in terms of societal needs. Actual engagement in conversation. Here is what I believe society needs … Many of us have tablets, laptops, and a few, here and there, may have their very own Google glasses. Nowadays, innovation cycles are so fast (particularly in technological fields) that suitable studies at universities are more and more behind the trends. The role of the university is to further the knowledge of the community and to encourage and develop scholarship and learning. Hierarchy of societal needs (pyramid structure) The pyramid of hierarchy of the societal needs represents Economy from a sociological perspective. I can’t tell you how many times I call my friends and they hang up on the second ring, only to text me back two seconds later, saying “what’s up?” I literally had one friend do this to me, and her excuse was “I just didn’t feel like talking.” I mean what is that?! Fine, I’ll admit, there are times where we all feel we can multi-task. However, the role of universities needs to be reconsidered, in terms of the extent to which they shall contribute to a learning society. I value the privilege that I have of being able to own and use these products whenever I want to; but, I also value common human characteristics too. His research interests are theory formation and computational and mathematical modelling approaches for societal transitions. It might also make the person(s) sitting at the table with you, more comfortable while eating their meals. Dedicated to your stories and ideas. It’s time for us to show confidence while talking with others. Shelter and clothing are also some needs, but these are of a civilized society. And yes, the traditional educational institutions can learn here definitely something from corporate partners. What are the HE needs and expectations of Society? The universities would then have the role of assessing and evaluating the individual learning achievements. The United States has just invested $2 Billion in the production of the so called Open Educational Resources (OER) [1]. By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. Because, at the end of the day, what’s more important to you…your friends/family, or a phone that’s going to need an upgrade next year? but hanging up and texting me back just because you don’t feel like vocalizing a conversation is where I draw the line. Is that too much to ask? I benefit from a society in which individuals can use these items to make everyday life easier and a bit more entertaining in some aspects. I think you’ll live without your phone for the 20-30 minutes it takes for you to properly scarf your meal. It is okay to take a moment to gather your thoughts. This requires the willingness, ability and possibilities of the teaching staff—but also the needed update in resources, practices and culture on the organizational side. Tony H.F. Wong is a Professor and Chief Executive Officer of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. Learn more about working with Thought Catalog. 5. http://creativecommons.org/weblog/entry/26100. Rachelle C. Adamowicz is a Stormwater Planner at Melbourne Water and previously worked at the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities as a research officer.