Q: Is a university degree worth the cost?

CBC journalist Michael Enright mediates the Tuesday night forum on campus. (Nick Pearce Photo)

While most of us had not seen him before, broadcaster Michael Enright’s voice is so familiar he seemed like an immediate friend. His presence lent an informal flavor to the CBC public forum, "The Final Exam Question: Is a University Education Worth the Cost?"

The capacity crowd that packed Dalhousie’s Ondaatje Hall Tuesday night was clearly taking the topic seriously. The panel was peppered with questions about methods of financing higher education, the cost ratio between students and society, the balance between research and teaching, student involvement in the governance structure, the benefits of a liberal arts education and corporate influence on universities.

The panelists included President of Acadia University Ray Ivany; President of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) Elizabeth Beale; National Treasurer, Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) Roxanne Dubois; Director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) Jim Turk;  author and teacher Laura Penny; and Director of the Foundation Year Program (FYP), University of Kings College Peggy Heller. 

Acadia University President Ray Ivany makes a point. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Despite airing widely different perspectives about how to achieve a high quality and accessible post-secondary system, there was considerable agreement that a university education is valuable for the individual and the community.

A degree is absolutely necessary to obtain a good-paying job, said the CFS’s Ms. Dubois. Employers value highly educated graduates, including those from the liberal arts who have cultivated critical thinking and communication abilities, said Ms. Beale, of APEC. Universities also have the capacity to instill the benefits of life-long learning, she added. The goals of higher education include the creation of good citizens who enrich society, said Acadia’s Mr. Ivany.

Acadia’s president indicated a concern about who is not attending university. While participation rates have grown steadily in recent decades, some communities remain underrepresented and this needs to change.

The free-flowing open mic session provided some lively moments, including one question directed to President Ivany asking about the compensation and benefit packages for senior university administrators. The focus of the discussion was expanded by Dalhousie professor Peter Duinker who commented that the value of post-secondary education includes intangible qualities including the "joy of learning."

To hear the entire public forum, tune into CBC Radio One’s The Sunday Edition at 9 a.m. September 19.

LINK: CBC's The Sunday Edition | The Value of a University Degree by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada