THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

 A lot of people lack knowledge and understanding about the importance of having university education. The myopia of looking at life and success only from the angle or perspective of material possession further aggravates the situation, eading to gradual loosing of the essence of the existence of the institution of higher learning. Considering our predominant or prevalent social values - materialism- which has become a huge jeopardy in understanding what ought to be, informed this piece. The critical concern is the alarming rate people have forgotten the ideal essence of university education, and myopically pursuing a mirage - the unweavery and deep seated attitude and orientation that acquiring university education helps people escape poverty, amass wealth and elevates one's social status + this is a key factor for incompetence and mediocrity, leading to over - reliance  and unnecessary promotion of paper qualifications (credentials), over competence, creativity and discovery, as we used to have in the past. In other words, it is no longer a citadel of learning, research, and a veritable ground for building or cultivating sound social values, that will help bring development.

Now the question that should help solve this serous misnomer is: why do people really go to the university? Or what is the main or ideal essence of having university education? The answer, no doubt, will help straighten the record and erase every misunderstanding and ignorance.

1. LEARNING OR EDUCATION

University education makes people learned or educated. Learned people are those who have been well socialized, and have adequately cultivated the norms, standard and conformity of the society.These set of people have also imbibed social adjustment, social maturity and social tolerance - making them responsible and law-abiding citizens Maintenance of order, peace and stability become possible when a society is predominantly made up of learned or educated people.

2. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 

University education is development oriented, because it is geared towards conducing research with the aim of solving emerging social problems; mainly through discoveries and invention - beyond patriotism acquired from civic or citizenship studies - that is why the educated are more development oriented than the uneducated. Their knowledge, experience, exposure, etc. are great advantage to the subject of comparison. And it clearly supports why they are more law-abiding.

3. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 

University education helps to build generally acceptable values, virtues, morals and ethics that guide individual's conduct and lifestyle, in all sphere of human endeavour, in order to help them secure a successful living. It also builds intellect, sharpens horizon and enhances cognitive prowess. University education helps develop skills and capacity that will enable sustainable means of livelihood to excel  after graduation - that is why university graduates should not complain about unemployment.

In summary, decadence has created so much vacuum in our society today, hence the reason for witnessing absolute digression from what it ought to be, including the essence of university education. It becomes needful to advocate the return to the basics in this regard. Therefore, acquiring university education should first and foremost be seen from the perspective of building the society, and not exploiting it.