Comment on ‘Not by skills alone’ by Prof Schwartz, Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University.

Link to article here.

An excellent and inspiring piece.

If we look back at the origins of national education, formed in the industrial revolution to train people out of poor-houses and into state defined tax-brackets, then we can note that nothing really has changed.

The structures, ideology, and policies that govern not just higher but all education are still formed on the suck-em-in and spit-em-out model of labour market requirements.

Widsom was never really a part of it - but it was attempted. Compulsory classical education may have been elitist, but it gave a greater appreciation of the vastness of humanity. This must be regained.

Creativity and a flexibility in learning that allows for genuine exploration of random and kooky philosophical ideas. A seminar which is lead by discussion and goes off on tangents and academics who don't have to supply annotated slides and detailed bibliographies for their words to impart knowledge and inspiration.

Until we answer the question 'what is a modern university for?' and start to look at the ingrained processes that infect our so called logic, then I fear that Prof Schwartz incredible view will never become realised.