Hyderabad, Nov. 3: Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) organised a special lecture on intellectual autonomy and independent thinking.
The Department of Sociology, School of Arts and Social Sciences, hosted the programme. Dr. Irfanullah Farooqi from IIM Kozhikode, Kerala, delivered the lecture.
Dr. Farooqi emphasised the importance of critical thinking in research. He also discussed ethical and unethical dimensions of sociological research.
He said a clear disciplinary perspective helps researchers gain deeper insights. It also strengthens their critical engagement with the subject.
MANUU Lecture Highlights Independent Thinking in AI Era
Addressing the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Dr. Farooqi described it as a useful learning tool. He said AI can help students access information and support their learning.
However, he encouraged students to analyse and interpret knowledge independently. He cautioned against relying entirely on AI-generated information.
Dr. Farooqi highlighted intellectual autonomy as essential to academic and research pursuits. He said research involves more than institutional identity or formal designation.
According to him, researchers must develop inner conviction, critical thinking and independent ideas.
During the discussion, he explained how intellectual abilities develop through different stages of higher education.
Undergraduate students are generally expected to understand, interpret and summarise classical texts. Postgraduate students, meanwhile, should develop their own critical perspectives.
He encouraged postgraduate students to connect different theories and scholarly works. This approach helps them move beyond simple summarisation.
The lecture offered insights into intellectual autonomy, critical engagement and independent inquiry. It highlighted their importance in strengthening academic and research practices.
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