Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Tamrat Leyen has said that if problems within universities are not addressed, other problems in society will not be resolved. He says that universities are also the means to address such challenges.

In a dialogue held at Lumbini Buddhist University on Friday under the 'World Peace Program', Tamrat pointed out many problems of universities. 'Universities have become political, they are losing their dynamism, new research is being produced less,' he said, 'Other similar problems are also increasing, and universities are not fulfilling their responsibilities.'

First of all, he said that universities should be independent and self-governing. 'They should not depend on any political power. However, this is the problem seen in many developing countries,' said former Prime Minister Tamrat, 'The problem lies within the universities, not in society or other external parties.'

He repeatedly reiterated that universities should be completely academically independent and free from political influence. He said that while independent thinking should be encouraged within universities and research work should proceed independently, the reality is different. Stating that most universities are dependent on political power, he pointed out that there is a risk that wealthy individuals or groups could use them for their own interests.

Tamrat said that only with strong and visionary leadership can the university be established as a center of real study, research and innovation.

Stating that more seriousness and commitment is needed in the university, he also mentioned student politics. 'University students must also pay the price for making the university independent from political power,' he said, 'It is the right of students to have our university independent from any political power.'