Band 6+: Some people thick that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true functions of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. What , in your opinion, should be the main function of a university

In the last 2 to 3 decades, awareness regarding university education has certainly gained momentum. This has driven the experts to debate whether the universities should continue to be conventional and just impart knowledge or should these institutions also keep up with the pace of the dynamic world, by moulding the students vocationally. If asked to support, I would choose that universities should provide students with knowledge and skills for the workplace. My opinion is elaborated further.

The strongest argument to my view is that of the existing demand. By this, I mean that the job market is ready with ample opportunities for work even for the freshers. However, companies do not have much time to train their new employees from scratch. This demands an attitude of the candidate to walk in with a good knowledge of the work and readiness for a smooth transition to a professional from a student. Such a shift can happen only if the students were imparted work skills while at school. To prepare students for the industry many universities have designed what is called “co-op learning” – this curriculum is a sandwich method – altering knowledge-based learning and skill-based learning.

Another reason for my support is that over the years the demands of educational qualifications by the companies have become more stringent. These organizations never doubt the candidate’s theoretical aspect but their judgment differs in case of practicalities. For instance, all computer software candidates are needed to present their projects at the time of the interview. This is only possible if the universities change their attitude. Besides this, if the higher educational institutes include skill learning along with the knowledge they impart, as their prime focus, then they would play a very crucial role for the learners.

Thus, it can be understood that universities must change as per need of the hour. Everything leads to the purpose to earn for ultimately. I believe an increasing number of people shall study at the universities and also, the economies would