Changing the mentality is not a mission of the university

Abstract

This study is carried out within the framework of the State Project (Republic of Moldova) „Modernization of governance mechanisms focused on the protection of human rights (cypher 20.80009.1606.15). The proposed theme for research is to identify the extent of the university mission and of the law faculty in the direct realization and promotion of education, research, innovation and societal integration. Does higher education have implications for mentality change? How do we react to defensive or skeptical attitudes from students regarding the university's involvement in changing mindset? What feedback can we give to skeptics, not to imagine that we might be persuasive, but at least to make them think? The research is a result of a reflection exercise in the context of conducting practical classes at the law faculty, with first-year students, Cycle I, licence (bachelor). Influenced by the social environment, affected by crises, in which even justice does not have the best image, they accept change in itself only as a theoretical formula, not as a practical one, only as a story told, not assumed. A formidable solution, excellently functional for reorienting the way of thinking of the current generation of students is hard to find, given the objective limits of communication and the formative substrate of the mentality of young people before their access to higher education. However, the university must also value ethical, attitudinal, affective, creative dimensions. And the law faculty must also emphasize the revitalization of the essence of civic courage, implicitly – to shape courageous lawyers.