Sir, - Dr Jeanne Riou (June 6th), is correct in stating that the role of a university is to train minds to think for themselves and to maintain an atmosphere of critical and open debate. Toward that end, a university should continue to check the intrusive and potentially distorting influences of a "jobs market" on its curricula.
I do not agree, however, with Dr Riou's suggestion that the traditional universities are unopposed to change. After all, it is not without some trepidation that a typical undergraduate would broach the issue of teaching standards or methods with a potential examiner. This is particularly so when one considers a widely held view among third-level students that criticism of their faculty on any but the most superficial of levels is as unwelcome as it is dangerous. That Dr Riou suggests otherwise is refreshing and encouraging, but also somewhat removed from the reality. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Ruaidhri Kirwan, Skreen, Road, Dublin 7.