Wise words from Khaw Boon Wan "university degree not vital for success"

[singham]

yes, agree. it's an ancient stepping stone to climb the corporate ladder. i noticed the trend now, these graduates tend to start their own business at age 40+ or 50+. not knowing their prime is already over. i have a personal friend who was a lecturer at polytechnic, almost 50, quit his lecturing job and start his own biz at 50. what does that tell you of the society in s'pore? it's not ideal for entrepreneurs.

Lets be fair, holding a degree wont guarantee wealth and success, its just an entry to the society and most important, its what you do there after.

 

[Agoraphobic]

I suppose the question should be how is success defined by you. From the looks, it seems kinda leaning towards how much money one makes. If that's the case, then the degree is only an aid.

As far as I'm concerned, a university is a place of higher learning. A place where one goes to open up one's mind, and mingle with similar kind people, to develop intellect. A place where open debates are allowed to flourish, exchange of ideas. Exposure to different forms and varieties of studies, arts, philosophy, music, literature, science, etc. It is a chance to explore one's mind and expand it further. Although not the only place for this, it is a place where such activities are concentrated.

Cheers!

 

[@rmadill0]

Hehe, this is turning into a nice debate.

I agree with Sam on this. What Khaw says is right, ie, having a degree is not vital for success. With or without a degree, you can still achieve big things in life and be successful. More importantly is what you are made of, do you have what it takes to persevere, to relentlessly push for the limit, to challenge the norm, to do the impossible.

 

[Leongsam]

eh Ramasamy,
He was talking about looking for jobs, not starting your own business or life. Your comprehension very good meh?

A job is a mere starting point. Once you have a proven track record, educational qualifications don't matter. Most private companies don't bother looking at academic records when deciding who to promote.

None of the managers I employed had degrees. However, they were extremely good at what they did so it didn't matter whatsoever.

 

[singham]

that was in the sixties, seventies maybe. we are living in the world of evolving technology. do you think warren buffet can make decisions on what technology to invest in? he will solely depend on his hires to make decisions which definitely is not his style. look at his portfolio, majority of his investments are in energy and raw materials and so on...he seems reluctant to invest more in information technology. the reason is not he don't have the money, it's cos' he appear to be a dumb-wit in using perhaps iphone...my guess.

richard branson's turning point was he won the lawsuit filed by British Airways. he had nothing to lose then and was determined to fight them. in s'pore, if a GLC haul you to court, what do you think will be the outcome? this is sinkieland, land of cronyism and definitely no room for entrepreneurship. a degree is definitely a mandatory in our society if you are independent enough.

Everyone has their strengths. Some are capable of running a diverse range of business as the principles are the same. The most important skill is the ability to recognise talent in others and hire the right people to do the job for you.

The top dogs don't bother with the nitty gritty. They get their team to handle such things. Take a look at Richard Branson. He started off selling vinyl records and went on to achieve great things in fields as diverse as aviation, telecommunication and soft drinks.

Branson is dyslexic and does not have a very good academic record.

 

[BuiKia]

If private company, I agree. That is why I said, it is an irony for a Minister to say this when civil service discriminate the degree to the max. An employee's future is alrady pre-determined based on the degree.

A job is a mere starting point. Once you have a proven track record, educational qualifications don't matter. Most private companies don't bother looking at academic records when deciding who to promote.

None of the managers I employed had degrees. However, they were extremely good at what they did so it didn't matter whatsoever.

 

[streetsmart73]

If private company, I agree. That is why I said, it is an irony for a Minister to say this when civil service discriminate the degree to the max. An employee's future is alrady pre-determined based on the degree.

hi there


1. fat kid, bingo!
2. just look at its organizational scale & structure.
3. speaks volume too

 

[kingrant]

I suppose one can also do it in Thailand which is nearer, where farm lands are available. Find a patch somewhere in the cooler NE and you can grow yr own veggies, fruit trees etc and become self-sufficient. With the spare cash, can venture into eco-tourism.

Heard of a Singapore University Grad supposedly a brainy chap and very philosophical. He walked away from everything and went to Tasmania, grew much of his food, did some research work from his home and took in nature. When his cohort retired and had a gathering about 3 years ago, he turned up and for some reason his classmates felt that he enjoyed life like no other.

 

[hurley]

so, why did he send his daughter to NUS?

 

[Leongsam]

in s'pore, if a GLC haul you to court, what do you think will be the outcome? this is sinkieland, land of cronyism and definitely no room for entrepreneurship. a degree is definitely a mandatory in our society if you are independent enough.

You don't have to do everything in Sinkieland. You can live there if you love the place so much but start your business elsewhere. Many Chinese Nationals have started businesses in NZ where the rules are lax. Sydney is full of these characters too. They sniff out opportunities and go for it.

 

[Froggy]

I suppose one can also do it in Thailand which is nearer, where farm lands are available. Find a patch somewhere in the cooler NE and you can grow yr own veggies, fruit trees etc and become self-sufficient. With the spare cash, can venture into eco-tourism.

Bro, foreigners must rent land, if want to buy my be citizen or get Thai wife to buy.

 

[bryanlim1972]

Heard of a Singapore University Grad supposedly a brainy chap and very philosophical. He walked away from everything and went to Tasmania, grew much of his food, did some research work from his home and took in nature. When his cohort retired and had a gathering about 3 years ago, he turned up and for some reason his classmates felt that he enjoyed life like no other.

someone once said, on your deathbed you might wish you'd spent more time with your friends, family, hobbies etc, but NO ONE will ever wish they'd spent more time at work.

edit: ok so maybe lky might wish he'd spent more time at work.

 

[red amoeba]

that cow is a politician see man talk man language see ghost talk ghost lingo. his audience are a bunch of poly n ite grad of which only 3 to 5 per cent will enter uni...if he dint tell them uni not vital the whole lot will b discouraged. ..
elitest govt bring forth myopia abt paper quali starting fr civil svc. how many smart workers are hit by glass ceiling jus bcos they have no quali.

bill gates is a a uni dropout

 

[I_Hate_Pappies]

A job is a mere starting point. Once you have a proven track record, educational qualifications don't matter. Most private companies don't bother looking at academic records when deciding who to promote.

None of the managers I employed had degrees. However, they were extremely good at what they did so it didn't matter whatsoever.

Say that again when you are visiting your dentist or doctor. :oIo:

 

[Leongsam]

Say that again when you are visiting your dentist or doctor. :oIo:

You're confusing a degree with a professional qualification. Some professional bodies require a degree as a pre-requisite. Others don't EG law and accountancy bodies in the UK.

In many countries, routine dental work can be done by dental therapist who does not have a degree in dentistry.

 

[streetsmart73]

Say that again when you are visiting your dentist or doctor. :oIo:

hi there


1. ihp, Sammy seeing some dentist.
2. that will be the last thing on his mind.
3. Sammy is just toothless mah, oops! harmless too

 

[streetsmart73]

that cow is a politician see man talk man language see ghost talk ghost lingo. his audience are a bunch of poly n ite grad of which only 3 to 5 per cent will enter uni...if he dint tell them uni not vital the whole lot will b discouraged. ..
elitest govt bring forth myopia abt paper quali starting fr civil svc. how many smart workers are hit by glass ceiling jus bcos they have no quali.

bill gates is a a uni dropout

hi there


1. red, does the cow thing have kids or what?
2. would be very interesting if none of his kids are graduates or what
3. slapping its big & lousy mouth loud hoh:p

 

[Leongsam]

I honestly don't understand what all the critics of Khaw are on about.

He didn't say a degree is worthless. He didn't advise against getting a degree. He didn't criticise graduates.

All he said was it was not VITAL to have a degree in order to be successful and on that note he is absolutely right.

It's not VITAL to have a brain in order to be entertaining in this forum. Some members are hilarious despite the complete absence of gray matter.

 

[I_Hate_Pappies]

You're confusing a degree with a professional qualification. Some professional bodies require a degree as a pre-requisite. Others don't EG law and accountancy bodies in the UK.

In many countries, routine dental work can be done by dental therapist who does not have a degree in dentistry.

I don't give a fuck about what's going on in other countries. I m seeing Singaporeans being denied a place to further their studies and pursue their interest in the University in their own country. Instead of trying to do something about it, this Motherfucker are telling people that a Degree is not vital for success. Why are their kids attending Unversities?

 

[I_Hate_Pappies]

I honestly don't understand what all the critics of Khaw are on about.

He didn't say a degree is worthless. He didn't advise against getting a degree. He didn't criticise graduates.

All he said was it was not VITAL to have a degree in order to be successful and on that note he is absolutely right.

It's not VITAL to have a brain in order to be entertaining in this forum. Some members are hilarious despite the complete absence of gray matter.

"Mr Khaw was responding to a participant who said the Government should set aside more university places for Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnic graduates."

Let say you kena cancer, visits a Specialist. He tells you to forget about the treatment as you are going to die one day anyway.

This is similar to how he has responded to students who are keen to further their studies but however concerned about the slots available for them in the local University.

Do you even understand where the anger came from?