I refer to Arbibi Arshoy's letter Universities oblivious to nation's needs , where it is stated that local universities are producing graduates in irrelevant fields. While on the surface this would seem like a plausible reason for the large number of unemployed graduates, a comparison with other countries reveals that there is a deeper and more troubling reason.

In most Western countries, there are huge numbers of students studying in seemingly 'irrelevant' fields such as history, Latin, literature, zoology, etc. However, while graduates with such degrees are at a slight disadvantage compared with more professional degree-holders, they generally have no trouble obtaining employment. Indeed, many students would rather study a subject in which they are interested in than go for a lucrative field which they may not be so enthusiastic about.

Whatever the field, the top universities would drill the students in skills like critical thinking and problem-solving instead of just the rote memorisation which characterises local higher education. With a critical and flexible minds, graduates can learn the ropes on a job which they may be completely unfamiliar with, and carry on to have a successful career.

In part, one can blame the local mindset for having a narrow view of what a graduate is capable of doing. While certain professions like engineering or medicine do indeed require a professional degree in the field, the majority of jobs are not so specialised, and can be done by people with general skills.

However, the bulk of the blame has to be put firmly at local universities' doorsteps. It is clear that when meritocracy and egalitarianism are not respected both among students and faculty, and when the government treats universities as another extension of its power-corrupt and crony structure, students have no opportunity to mature and flourish into employable adults.