In Defence Of Further And Higher Education

I MUST say that although I share the sentiments of your contributor (Andrew Clegg – Polytechnic, April 26), the relevance of a Polytechnic (further education) versus a University (higher education) must be uppermost in any decision to convert the Polytechnic into a University.

So to balance my conclusion, here are some thoughts: 1. Namibia has a population of fewer than two million people.2.Polytechnics traditionally provide, and I quote: “engineers, scientists, managers and visionaries” who are usually nurtured from Matric through to undergrad or first-level graduate status for the world of work (or other such tangible activities).3.Universities by their nature are institutions of learning geared up for providing “academics” and “researchers” for the intangible activities.4.Polytechnics also tend to provide off-site and on-site support for employers in their related field to develop or “up-skill” employees or potential employees.Thus, larger classroom groups.5.Universities provide graduates and postgraduates primarily with increased knowledge in their specialised field rather than honing skills per se.Thus this is where industries tend to ‘pump’ funds to find answers to old questions or create new questions.Hence, small teaching groups, and in some cases, such as postgraduate work, can actually be one to one, for supervision more than actual instruction.In my conclusion then, I must say that the hype of saying an individual went to university is just that: a hype, unless the need can be justified.Both institutions have relevance.The focus must now be for Namibia to ensure both have the support required to deliver for the nation in a global context.David Jarrett Birmingham, UKNamibia has a population of fewer than two million people.2.Polytechnics traditionally provide, and I quote: “engineers, scientists, managers and visionaries” who are usually nurtured from Matric through to undergrad or first-level graduate status for the world of work (or other such tangible activities).3.Universities by their nature are institutions of learning geared up for providing “academics” and “researchers” for the intangible activities.4.Polytechnics also tend to provide off-site and on-site support for employers in their related field to develop or “up-skill” employees or potential employees.Thus, larger classroom groups.5.Universities provide graduates and postgraduates primarily with increased knowledge in their specialised field rather than honing skills per se.Thus this is where industries tend to ‘pump’ funds to find answers to old questions or create new questions.Hence, small teaching groups, and in some cases, such as postgraduate work, can actually be one to one, for supervision more than actual instruction.In my conclusion then, I must say that the hype of saying an individual went to university is just that: a hype, unless the need can be justified.Both institutions have relevance.The focus must now be for Namibia to ensure both have the support required to deliver for the nation in a global context. David Jarrett Birmingham, UK