Go for universal education, leading American expert says

JAKARTA (JP): Students in developing countries should go for basic universal education rather than specialized studies because they will be better placed to adapt to a constantly changing world, a leading American education expert says.

A graduate with a strong universal education will be able to maneuver around the world's technological developments, James Otis Smith, a professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, said here yesterday.

"Too highly specialized too young, one will not be able to adapt to the changes of the world," Smith, now a director of the Institute of Help in Malaysia, said in a speech on the Differences in Indonesian and American Education jointly organized by Indonesia-America Friendship Association and the Overseas Trade and Travel.

Recognizing the developing countries' interest in catching up with more developed countries, Smith said that multinationals in this age of globalization are interested in a work force with basic skills.

"As you move towards an urban industrial economy, then you need an educated work force".

Understandably, he said, governments in developing countries are more supportive to students in technical areas because they are essential to the economy they are trying to build.

"Americans value more broadly-educated persons than a more highly specialized one", he said as a contrast.

Students in the U.S. spend the first two years of their four- years at university studying liberal arts.

Those studying economics, for example, do not only learn statistics, mathematics, accounting and other economic-related subjects, but also literature, art, music, chemistry and physics, he added.

If they want to specialize further after graduation, they can continue on a more intense graduate level.

With this system, he said, students will not be so ignorant of other aspects of life.

Smith did not profess that the American system is better. "There are advantages and disadvantages, some work well in some countries and not in others".

He said that a higher level of minimum education should be imposed on every individual.

The American system is more flexible compared to those found in Asia and Europe, where there is strong competition for seats at state universities, he noted. (03)