The "Sideswipe" Column

[eatshitndie]

That might be the case in the pure sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology etc. The degree is a recognition of your basic understanding of the foundation of each discipline.

However, when it comes to professional degrees such as architecture, medicine, pharmacy, computer sciences etc, the course content goes out of date so quickly that an expiry of the qualification should be mandatory.

the weeding out of professionals with obsolete degrees happens by attrition in industry and commerce when an employer screens credentials of an applicant. it is called "looking at a re-su-me" and verifying references and previous employment. too outdated an employment history, applicant gets the boot. too green, and applicant is shown the door. re-qualifying and/or re-certifying professionals with re-training and re-learning are no guarantees for employment. in fact it's a waste of time as no employer is willing to hire an old foggy with age expiry coming up soon. this is all moot if the "professional" runs his/her own practice and begs for a free lance job by doctoring his/her credentials to reflect currentness. :p

 

[Fook Seng]

That might be the case in the pure sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology etc. The degree is a recognition of your basic understanding of the foundation of each discipline.

However, when it comes to professional degrees such as architecture, medicine, pharmacy, computer sciences etc, the course content goes out of date so quickly that an expiry of the qualification should be mandatory.

The value of an academic certification runs out after your first or second jobs. Except for the Government and some MNCs, no one really takes it at face value after that so talking about putting an expiry date to it or not is an academic exercise (no pun intended). After you have worked for some time, your working experience becomes more important. Your degrees and diplomas only tell people the processes that you have gone through to acquire your working knowledge and also to give an idea of your potential. How many of us use more than a small percentage of the knowledge we gather in school or in the university in our work place? Maybe researchers. Doctors perhaps. But doctors I understand upgrade themselves through courses and seminars. Accountants and lawyers also keep up with publications and newsletters from their respective professional associations. More important is the art of problem solving, of finding things for ourselves that we have learned during our studies, that stayed with us throughout our working life.

 

[elephanto]

The idea is nice but the name is not. ....., entitled, "Scroo you!", where the stalkers and brickbats get to have their soapbox.

Hmm good one, TFBH ! 'Scroo U!' have the right timbre !

THE SCROO U SCREW LOOSE DOUBLE COLUMN: featuring the villian & the revenge of the clones !