剑桥大学何以造就科学精英——基于教育生态平衡的研究

Why Can the University of Cambridge Create Scientific Elite: From the Perspective of Educational Ecological Balance

诺贝尔科学奖是世界科学界“奥运会”的桂冠。就国别而论,美国是世界上获得这一桂冠人数最多的国家;而就大学而言,剑桥无疑是世界上造就诺贝尔科学奖获得者最多的大学。这所具有八百多年历史的古老大学何以长盛不衰,何以造就出如此多的科学精英。从教育生态平衡的视角考察,源自英国历史与文化的自由、理性所形成的大学与社会相对稳定、持久的制衡关系为大学自治提供了良好的生态环境,为科学家群体的成长提供了丰腴的沃土;学院制的形成与完善,使得大学与学院在组织机构及相应的权力方面达到平衡,二者的功能相得益彰,为科学家的创新活动提供了自由空间和宽松的环境;而体现在细微的教学及课余生活中的知性与感性、学习与社交的相互支持与平衡更是极大地刺激了师生的创造力,使科学大师们脱颖而出。

The University of Cambridge has hosted the largest number of Nobel Prize winners(as students,alumni,or faculty).Why can this ancient university create scientific elite?From the perspective of educational ecological balance,the relatively stable and equilibrant relationship between the university and society,born of the freedom and rationalism from British history and culture,provides a sound ecological environment for university autonomy and rich soil for the growth of scientists.Meanwhile, the formation and improvement of the college system has resulted in a balance in the organizational and power structure between the university and the colleges,with their functions complementing each other and creating room and a friendly environment for scientists' innovation activities.Finally, the mutual support and equilibrium between teaching and social interaction and between reasoning and sensibility greatly stimulate the creativity of faculty and students,thus creating scientific elite.