With the evolution of technology, the field of education has simultaneously undergone a remarkable change. The meaning of each degree has also changed. Back home in the 80's and the 90's, there was a popular saying by the older generation to the subsequent generation. " The SSLC (high school equivalent) of my time is equivalent to the current BA". Of course, to suggest that people who had a high school degree to be more educated than a college graduate is ridiculous. But, if one were to compare the worth of a degree with respect to the level of education of the society, we might be able to observe different things and gain a clear perspective.
Usually, any degree is evaluated by the society in terms of its ability to obtain a job. In the 1950's and 1960's, predominantly the educated class had a high school education. Few people went to college and fewer people pursued higher studies (MS or PhD). The trend has changed drastically. Annually, India produces around 500000 engineering graduates of which an estimated 3-4% are job ready. A simple engineering degree is now no longer considered adequate unless graduated form a good university.
When this sort of diluting in education occurs in the engineering fields, one can't help but wonder what the status of higher education might be.In the 1980's, a masters degree specifically in the US was a feat which was performed only by a handful of people. They were,in majority, people who were interested in pursuing a higher degree and their education was usually funded by the universities in USA. These people ended up leading successful lives which triggered a mass import of engineers interested in pursing a masters degree from India and China. USA saw this as what it was. A gold mine. In 2008 alone, a whopping 480000 masters has been awarded by the USA. These masters degrees are typically not financially supported. With each degree costing about 30-40 lacs, the education sector in US has made a tremendous profit. The US government and universities see this as an opportunity to make a fortune, which is why the number of masters programmes offered has gone up exponentially. Students see masters degree as an opportunity to end up in the USA. However, the job sector has not grown exponentially to keep up with the growing number of graduates. In the simple case of supply and demand, the solution is simple. Survival of the fittest.Or in this case, survival of the most qualified person.
A PhD degree in contrast is funded by the university and takes a couple of years more than a masters degree. This gradually led to an increase in the number of PhD graduates. A PhD, which was previously seen as a journey earmarked to reach professorship, is now seen as a mandatory degree to reach jobs which were designed previously for masters. In 2008, 56000 PhD degrees were awarded in the US, prompting nature to do an article on the unhealthy growth of academia.
With the outburst of PhD graduates, an increasing number of PhD students are now opting for jobs which were designed to cater to masters students. Surveys indicate that around 60 to 70 % of the PhD graduates preferred industry positions. A criterion for a faculty position , which was previously a PhD degree alone, now demands a post-doc qualification. This gradual shift indicates that academia feels that a PhD is no longer a terminal degree and the focus is now shifting towards postdocs. This raises a fundamental question. In the 21st century, is PhD the new masters?
Usually, any degree is evaluated by the society in terms of its ability to obtain a job. In the 1950's and 1960's, predominantly the educated class had a high school education. Few people went to college and fewer people pursued higher studies (MS or PhD). The trend has changed drastically. Annually, India produces around 500000 engineering graduates of which an estimated 3-4% are job ready. A simple engineering degree is now no longer considered adequate unless graduated form a good university.
When this sort of diluting in education occurs in the engineering fields, one can't help but wonder what the status of higher education might be.In the 1980's, a masters degree specifically in the US was a feat which was performed only by a handful of people. They were,in majority, people who were interested in pursuing a higher degree and their education was usually funded by the universities in USA. These people ended up leading successful lives which triggered a mass import of engineers interested in pursing a masters degree from India and China. USA saw this as what it was. A gold mine. In 2008 alone, a whopping 480000 masters has been awarded by the USA. These masters degrees are typically not financially supported. With each degree costing about 30-40 lacs, the education sector in US has made a tremendous profit. The US government and universities see this as an opportunity to make a fortune, which is why the number of masters programmes offered has gone up exponentially. Students see masters degree as an opportunity to end up in the USA. However, the job sector has not grown exponentially to keep up with the growing number of graduates. In the simple case of supply and demand, the solution is simple. Survival of the fittest.Or in this case, survival of the most qualified person.
A PhD degree in contrast is funded by the university and takes a couple of years more than a masters degree. This gradually led to an increase in the number of PhD graduates. A PhD, which was previously seen as a journey earmarked to reach professorship, is now seen as a mandatory degree to reach jobs which were designed previously for masters. In 2008, 56000 PhD degrees were awarded in the US, prompting nature to do an article on the unhealthy growth of academia.
With the outburst of PhD graduates, an increasing number of PhD students are now opting for jobs which were designed to cater to masters students. Surveys indicate that around 60 to 70 % of the PhD graduates preferred industry positions. A criterion for a faculty position , which was previously a PhD degree alone, now demands a post-doc qualification. This gradual shift indicates that academia feels that a PhD is no longer a terminal degree and the focus is now shifting towards postdocs. This raises a fundamental question. In the 21st century, is PhD the new masters?
a sound analysis of changing perceptions during changing times.. seems like we may have to create a new higher degree to renormalise the distribution!!
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