Every now and then, I come across educated people confidently declaring that certain university courses are "useless" or "not important." Ironically, these comments often come from individuals who have themselves benefited from higher education. It raises an important question: Do we really understand the purpose of a university?
The idea that some university courses have no value is not only misleading but also unfair to the students, lecturers, researchers, and professionals who dedicate their lives to those disciplines. Universities do not randomly create programmes to fill classrooms. Every accredited course is designed to contribute to knowledge, solve problems, preserve culture, advance research, or meet societal needs.
University education is not merely vocational training. Its purpose extends beyond preparing someone for a specific job. It develops critical thinking, communication, creativity, research skills, ethical reasoning, and the ability to analyse complex issues. These are qualities that benefit individuals regardless of the profession they eventually pursue.
Different fields serve different purposes. Engineering builds infrastructure. Medicine saves lives. Law upholds justice. Agriculture feeds nations. Education shapes future generations. The arts preserve culture and inspire creativity. The social sciences help us understand human behaviour and improve public policy. Business drives economic growth. Every discipline contributes something valuable to society.
People often judge a course solely by its immediate employment prospects or earning potential. That is a narrow way of measuring education. A programme may not lead directly to a high-paying job, but it can provide transferable skills that open doors to entrepreneurship, public service, research, innovation, or careers in entirely different industries.
Success has never been determined by a degree title alone. Two graduates from the same programme can have completely different outcomes. One may struggle while another builds an outstanding career. The difference is often found in personal effort, adaptability, continuous learning, and how effectively they apply what they have learned.
It is also worth remembering that many careers today did not even exist twenty years ago. As technology continues to reshape the world, graduates who are curious, adaptable, and willing to keep learning will remain competitive, regardless of their original field of study.
When we label certain university courses as "useless," we discourage young people from pursuing their passions and contribute to unnecessary stigma. Every student deserves respect for choosing a field they believe aligns with their interests, talents, and aspirations.
Instead of asking, "Which courses are useless?" perhaps we should ask, "How can we help graduates apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems?" That is a far more productive conversation.
Education should unite us, not divide us. Every academic discipline has its place, and every field contributes to the progress of society in its own unique way.
The value of a university course is not determined by public opinion ,it is determined by the knowledge it creates, the lives it impacts, and what graduates choose to do with it.
Before dismissing any university programme as unimportant, remember this: universities exist to expand human knowledge, not simply to produce employees. Every discipline has a purpose, and every educated person should recognise that.
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