RSSWhat Are Universities For?
The primary and central purpose of the university is the search for knowledge and fundamental understanding in all intellectual disciplines and the transmission of that knowledge and understanding.
It has also been a function of universities to give to young people from a relatively narrow age group (say 17-24) an education designed to develop their capacities, more particularly their intellectual capacities, that is, the ability to judge evidence critically, to develop independence of mind, the ability to communicate, curiosity, reasoning power and factual accuracy.
The important thing on the one hand is to educate intellectually mobile specialists capable of renewing and endlessly adapting themselves to new problems and, on the other hand, to organize co-operation on specific problems between specialists. To meet these varying needs, most universities divide their training into two parts: the first three years are devoted to basic education of a rather general and fundamental nature, and the last two years to specific research work, together with the preparation of a diploma paper.
Read the text and answer the questions:
- What does any university need of their students?
- Is a learning power just an inborn ability?
- Can a teacher make all the students achieve great results in learning?
Needs of Universities
Today, the first need among universities everywhere is learning power, which is native ability plus the will to learn. An able person, intellectually inquiring, reflective and industrious – with learning power can make himself educated. A great teacher can speed the process. But if learning power is not there, the greatest teaching is only of partial value. A student cannot be lifted beyond the limits of his/ her ability.
A great teacher may, and often does, inspire an individual student who has lacked the will or full opportunity to learn, and so sets his student on the road to education. But if large numbers of students arrive at the university without a solid academic foundation on which to build, the quality of university education must suffer.
- . Answer the questions:
- What made you choose University rather than another higher educational institution?
- What subject at your department is the most interesting; the least interesting; the one you think the most important; the one you find the most difficult?
- Was it easy for you to get accustomed to the University system of lectures and seminars after the school system of classes and home tasks?
- Which are more useful in your opinion – lectures or seminars?
- Do you have to work much after your lectures and seminars are over?
What Is Higher Education All About?
Higher education means a lot more than just getting a qualification. It also offers you the chance to meet new people and take advantage of new opportunities. Unlike school, you're at university or college because you want to be, learning more about a subject or job you're really into. You'll have more control over how and when you study - though it’s up to you to make the most of it. You'll find higher education challenging - getting used to new ways of learning and thinking may take time - but you'll have a lot of fun along the way. You’ll also have lots of opportunities to experience new things and meet new people.
Studying and Social Life
Higher education is a very different experience to school or further education. You are expected to do far more work for yourself. Lectures and seminars will provide guidance, but you’ll need to widen your knowledge through background reading. Subject staff will offer lots of advice to help you get used to this new way of working.
Making new friends is a key part of the higher education experience. If you’re worried about fitting in, remember that students from all backgrounds and of all ages go to university and college.
