The life of an idea

Spore Sprout read that the Straits Times reported recently on Dr Tony Tan's call for Singapore to look to American liberal arts college education (where "students study varied fields") for some ideas outside of "the current British model used by universities here--where a student studies a subject in depth."  Dr Tan reportedly suggested that "the American liberal arts programme may be why the United States economy is 'more dynamic and more entrepreneurial' when compared with the traditional European ones."  He also noted that "this is 'pertinent' with the changing world economy characterised by 'major restructuring of industries and the transitory nature' of jobs."

Lordy.

Over a quarter century ago, a letter to the editor of the same Straits Times argued to the same effect.  An eager Singapore student in an American college argued the case for a broad liberal arts college education, warning against the risk of "becoming a specialised vocationalist inflexible in a world of fluid opportunities."  The callow youth imagined that "in positions of high leadership, where complex situations and unpredictable circumstances abound, where no amount of special education can adequately prepare a man for the many contingencies of the job, the general-educated has an edge over the special-educated."  Importantly, the writer of the letter wished it be known that financial aid was available from American colleges for indigent Singapore students to pursue a liberal arts college education.