3.1 Practice versus theory-oriented training
Traditionally universities are biased towards theoretical
work, and its application to problems of the real world is
looked down upon as Jess scientific" and, sometimes,
below the dignity of a real scientist. On the one hand, theory
is the basis of scientific training which cannot be waived.
It is fundamental for the development of science and for research.
There is nothing more practical than a good theory. On the
other hand, the scientist's problems are not society's problems
and the real world situation is usually different from the
assumptions made in many theoretical models. Therefore, while
theoretical training is fundamental at the university level,
the application of theories towards solving practical problems
has to be taught and exercised in addition, if not only a
few scientists, but graduates are to be trained for a wide
spectrum of jobs.
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