PETER A GREHAN,
Sir, - The report by Prof Skilbeck (The Irish Times, January 7th) marks a sad day for the future of third-level education because of its implication that this should be career-oriented.
Certain professions require more knowledge than is obtained at second level, but this is provided by such establishments as the College of Surgeons. For the general student, the purpose of third-level education is the development of the faculties of criticism and assessment ("learning how to learn"), so that both arts and science graduates should have an equal chance of successful careers.
A business will support a university only in so far as it produces graduates in disciplines to suit its business interests. But a man who can make a perfect dovetail joint does not necessarily become a good carpenter, and there is an undoubted divergence between theory and practice. A specialist education confines a person to that one line, whereas any trained mind can quickly learn the details of any particular line, and can as easily change to another one.
This is the advantage of university over technical college, in that every graduate should be able to tackle a wider range of careers. Funding by any specialised interest will threaten this advantage. - Yours, etc.,
PETER A GREHAN, Caherdaniel, Co Kerry.
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A chara, - University partnership with government, industry and the community has the potential to bring about positive synergies for all parties concerned.
It is important to ensure, however, that such partnerships do not act simply as covert taxpayer subventions which do no more than replace the research and development funds of private companies. The agendas of research funded primarily by public monies should not be set by private industry alone.
Also, a percentage of profits deriving from publicly-funded research should be ploughed back into further research.
The HEA and the Government should set up a body which creates stakeholder partnerships between government, industry, the community, universities and research teams and helps to co-ordinate research in different public and private centres of excellence, both industrial and academic.
Such a body should also oversee funding and profit distribution between stakeholders.
Each of the stakeholders should retain part ownership of the outcomes of research to ensure that all stakeholders contribute as well as benefit from their investment of time, money, expertise and facilities. - Is mise,
ÁINE UÍ GHIOLLAGÁIN, Rath Cairn, Áth Buí, Co na Mí.