Tamon Pietsch How Do We Value Universities Summary

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In Tamson Pietsch “How do we value Universities?”, Pietsch points out the significance of how individuals, groups and society itself view higher education and the value which they place upon universities. The ideas Pietsch puts forwards raises the point that how higher education is valued has shifted from focusing on the social and individual value to focusing on the economic value for society and the individual. Pietsch points out that there is an obvious emphasis on the use economic terms in regards to higher education when she looks at Australian universities. Monetary terms, such as premium wage and economic investment, are the focal points used by universities in recruitment drives for students, with little focus given to the knowledge, …show more content…

But these views are shifting the focus of society and the students away from the true value of higher education.
Pietcsh highlights some valid points when it comes to how society and the individual views higher education. As a child making my way through the education system I always aspired to go to university but it was never about money. I longed for the idea further education, even when I was still in primary school, because to me it was a place where intelligent people with their ideas got together and shared. The idea of university was a place to further myself, and my understanding, and money was never the focus when I was a child. As I grew up, it was drilled into my head repeatedly that I needed to do well so I can go to university in order to get a well-paying job. The education system and media constantly portrayed higher education as the only way to be successful and to get a decent job. In order for students and society to reap the rewards of higher education, the focus needs to …show more content…

Pietsch shows how the education fees paid are an important part of the economy, emphasising why society values higher education in terms of monetary value. The education fees paid by students wanting to study at higher education level are enormous, and require a significant life changing event. This event is known as the student loan. The student loan is an interest free loan given by the government in order for those who cannot pay for higher education by themselves, a chance to study. The loan repayments are deducted out of the wages of the student after they begin earning over a set threshold. My experience with the student loan is frightening, and was the hardest decision of my life so far. Deciding to study at a university was a conflicting decision for me as I had to consider the long-term effects of the money I would I owe. Currently at this point in my life, my student loan is $35,420.23, and it is going to keep growing. This decision turned out to be easy for me as my desire to study outweighed my fears. And in the end, I just had to hold my breath and dive right in. But to others, who are considering higher education, this is a growing concern and ultimately in the end what convinces people against pursuing higher education is the cost. Society is too busy focusing on the economic benefits of higher education, and ignoring the

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