Letter to FT, Grad Student, 8 aug 2008

Well, what is wrong with being a graduate student?Published: August 8 2008 03:00 Last updated: August 8 2008 03:00http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/65843cc8-64e1-11dd-af61-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

From Dr Annie C. Higgins.

Sir, Claude Barfield’s letter (August 6) prompts a question: What is wrong with being a graduate student? I know a number of the species who can support relevant arguments with reality-based acuity that may rival the letter writer's presentation.As a graduate student and beyond, I have travelled far, both geographically and intellectually, to seek out sources of interpretation that challenge stereotypes drawn from shallow local wells.In the US, PhD candidates are frequently asked: “What are you going to do with it?” By contrast, in other parts of the world, no questions are asked, for higher education is duly respected as a necessity for civilisation's progress.As Kevin Done reported recently (“Abu Dhabi fund in deal to supply Airbus components”, July 16), the enviably burgeoning economy of the United Arab Emirates is making educational use of a new business opportunity with EADS, which along with Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi government's investment fund, will be investing in education and training programmes within the companies and with local universities.The UAE’s economic resources have not blinded the Emiratis to the value of their intellectual resources, such as graduate students. In the US, we might take note of this attitude.Annie C. Higgins,Assistant Professor, Arabic Language and Literature,Wayne State University,Detroit, MI 48202, US
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