Madam, - Government seems to believe that we have a shortage of PhD holders to undertake research work in science and engineering. I have never regretted my decision in 1984 to take a PhD in electronic engineering. Unfortunately, it has no real value or application outside the education sector. I have never held a position where my PhD or CEng qualifications were needed or even desirable. These points tend to be unknown to the general public and our Government would rather continue with the present nonsense about shortages that do not actually exist.
Comments in the letter (June 23rd) from the Trinity Research Staff Association about the low esteem in which PhDs are held do not indicate a bright future or good career prospects for the average research worker. I agree with these views as they are very similar to my own experiences over a period of 20 years. Government must produce facts rather than general statements that can have a wide spread of different interpretations.
Graduates need to choose careers that are viable in small countries like Ireland. I do not believe that there is a future in research and would advise graduates to consider our experiences to date before moving into areas with very limited opportunities. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN PATRICK McARDLE, Newbridge, Co Kildare.
Madam, - If Alison Donnelly (Letters June 23rd) cares to step along to the library (I understand they have one in Trinity) and consults a dictionary, she will see that the word "student" has more than one meaning. Indeed, Dr Donnelly herself might, as a distinguished academic, correctly be described thus.
Moreover, at some institutions, notably Christ Church, Oxford, fellows with MA degrees were referred to as "students" - Charles Dodgson was one. - Yours, etc,
PAUL GRIFFIN, Maes yr Awel, Tufton, Pembrokeshire.