It is true that there is an increasing number of people pursuing at least a Bachelor degree. However, whether the aim of university education should be to provide student job-related skill or pure knowledge to graduate has long been a heated debate. In my view, I believe the university purpose shall be more utilitarian in which student can receive skills adapted with employer’s need.
First, the fact that the vast majority will enter the workplace after graduation, and wish for being able to get a job, earning their living and paying their own bill. Therefore, as a service provider, universities are expected to develop their programs focusing on practical knowledge customized for current and even future job market. A university who can create stable job opportunities for their graduated students, is guaranteed to have a better reputation, and possibly receive strong financial support from their own alumnus. Inevitably, many more new talents would wish to be their student, and from a part of the student’s fee, university can reinvest in in-depth research for pure science projects.
Secondly, it would be a waste of society resource if students have to pay for advance education and then again companies need to spend time and money to retraining their employees on practical skills which can easily be designed to deliver in the university environment. Thus, to be cost-effective, employers prefer candidates who already have attained strong practical skills, and have various job-related experiences. Moreover, by getting a job, and having a good income, graduates are enable to liquidate their student’s debt. Hence, from government perspective, less student’s loan debt means rising consumer demand, along with economic growth. Moreover, less unemployed population equal to less crime.
In conclusion, a curriculum which offers both pure and applied knowledge benefit not only students, employers but our society and furthermore our humankind. Applied knowledge may benefit you directly and immediately but pure knowledge benefits you indirectly in the long run.