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Academics' role as critic and conscience of society

I come from a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean known as Aotearoa / New Zealand. One real distinction we have is the following.

Under the Education Act 1989, sec.62 (4)(a)(v), universities are required to have all the following characteristics:-

to be primarily concerned with more advanced learning, the principal aim being to develop intellectual independence;

to undertake research and teaching that are closely interdependent, with most teaching done by persons active in advancing knowledge;

to meet international standards of research and teaching;

to be a repository of knowledge and expertise; and

to accept a role as critic and conscience of society.

Imagine if every Canadian academic carried out the last responsibility too.