Posted on 05/04/2008 12:32:24 AM PDT by Tamar1973
A starkly realistic approach to university management is now being applied by Dongguk University, which recently decided to cut down the number of students in less popular departments while letting popular departments to expand.
Based on departmental evaluation under such criteria as students’ grades and employment rate of graduates, Dongguk University decided to reduce the number of students entering the departments in the bottom eight. If the accumulated score does not meet a certain level, the university will either close the department down or merge it with another. Other private universities are expected to follow suit, carrying out a rigorous restructuring plan and possibly making it difficult for some professors to hold on to their jobs.
Dongguk University President Oh Young-kyo said Thursday even while acknowledging the importance of pure, basic studies, national universities can take care of that. “One of the raisons d’etre of private university is to train students to become the capable and competitive peoples that society wants,” he said.
According to the departmental evaluation released by the university, the departments of electrical engineering, physics, sociology, and German language and literature were in the bottom four, so student intake there will be cut by 15 percent for next year. Those in the bottom five to eight -- philosophy, mathematics, ethical culture, and mechanical engineering -- will have intake cut by 10 percent. On the other hand, the top three departments -- computer science and engineering, business administration, and electronic engineering -- will be able to increase the number of new students if they wish.
South Korean University applying capitalistic principles?!
But cutting mathematics and physics? It just doesn’t make sense. And eliminating mechanical and electrical engineering doesn’t make any practical sense either, as mathematics, physics, electrical and mechanical engineering are intrinsic to computers and our everyday life!
They were looking at their graduation rates, gpa and what percentage of students were able to find work after graduation. I agree that subjects like mathematics and physics are important but if another university is cranking our more and better graduates in those fields, you need to figure out where you excel and work on that.
Universities were supposed to be for education, not job training. But who needs education?
Imagine that?! A private South Korean University responding to the marketplace and refusing to give out to degrees for unmarketable skills?! I wonder how many private universities in the US look at the marketplace so closely to make sure they actually give their students the tools they need to make themselves competitive in the 21st century?They're a private University so more power to them. But it does set a dangerous precedent. Universities are already hamstrung by credentialism. By emphasizing the fad majors over the core(physics, mathematics, philosophy) they're destroying themselves as a *University*, a place devoted to maintaining and advancing the learning and culture of a society. Not good.
Like they said in the article, the public universities can focus on the core stuff—— philosophy, history, foreign language, etc.
Like they said in the article, the public universities can focus on the core stuff—— philosophy, history, foreign language, etc.I realize that. The problem here is you have what is really a *trade school* passing itself off as a University.
Market driven supply and demand is a feedback system. I remember in my control theory textbook, the author pointed out that the demand for electrical engineering graduates (or any other discipline, I suppose) precedes the supply by about five years.
This lag creates an inherent instability, waves of applicants after the demand peaks and shortages a few years after the glut.
The author was also a professor at said institution, and it was obvious he was a big believer in central planning, a wise and farsighted administration could reliably predict the need for so many of each discipline 5-10 into the future and adjust the supply to meet the demand. (How’d that work out, Russia?)
My educational philosophy, such as it is, is that young people should acquire as many skills as they can, pursue their passions and become as broadly educated as possible and they will be ready to adapt to new challenges as they develop their careers. Of course, they need some guidance in making sound choices. Unfortunately, for the most part, the professorate lives in isolation from the market and in a perverse environment that devalues the market and makes them poor examples or leaders for the young.
I agree with you, that the approach described in the article seems ham fisted and wrongheaded.
Professors of such useful degree programs as Black Studies and Feminist Studies would be curling up in cardboard boxes, next to dumpsters for their night's sleep.
If U. S. universities subscribed to such a hair-brained scheme they'd be out of business.I fully expect this to horrify you, but the schools that have dedicated ethnic/gender studies departments don't usually have much trouble finding employment for them. Where do you think the evil HR hag at your office came from?Professors of such useful degree programs as Black Studies and Feminist Studies would be curling up in cardboard boxes, next to dumpsters for their night's sleep.
I don’t know about Asian univeristy if that sound true it is good for me
Most of the HR people I have dealt with have degrees in Business Administration or HR.
When a college degree costs you $30k-$60k, you have to rethink that position. Most people can't afford education for the sake of education, they need marketable skills.
I don’t disagree. I would not suggest anyone major in, say, “Feminist Studies” ( a resume stain, if ever there was one.) The difference between a degree in physics, math or EE is is small down the road. I think you will do better if you pursue something you love and can reasonably expect to make a living at, be it technical or marketing or even English. A liberal arts degree can allow you to teach or can be entre into other jobs.
I am not sure they are making a good decision. They are chopping math, science, engineering, and ethics.
This could come back to haunt them in a few years.
One of my childhood friends has a PhD in African studies. He’s been working as a crane operator for 30 years.
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