Universities open up the opportunity to every individual to engage in higher feats of success based on the education that they have chosen to embrace. These institutions of learning are also expected to become a source of competent social function. The question is to what extent should university courses be geared to the economic needs of society?

Universities are notable vessels of national economic progress (Harriman, 2001). It could be understood that this role that educational institutions take into account as part of their primary existence in the community accounts for how well they serve their purpose to the community. This is why encouraging students to take courses that would best supply the needed flow of workforce in the community is one of the primary goals of universities at present. Producing individuals who are able to take on the challenge offered by the economy in becoming highly productive for themselves and their communities is what makes up the foundation of the university’s primary existence (Nuria Sanz, 2006). Nevertheless, it is also considered that these institutions of education do not only aim to provide what is needed by the economy, they also aim to shape the personality and outlook of each individual through catering to the kind of individual advancement that each student deserves to realize (Nuria Sanz, 2006). Elective courses or subjects are made available for young enthusiasts to pursue hobbies and excel in such areas in order to give them the proper motivation to be uniquely capable of sharing their talents besides simply working for the system of economy that entails to fully utilize their skills.

True, universities ought to provide as much needed courses to support the economic feats of the community as they offer distinct courses that are geared towards what is needed in industries. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that these institutions of learning are also expected to balance out such form of recognizing productivity with that of the desire to mandate a better course of redefining the personality of each learner allowing the student to explore his individual capacities and talents. This further fulfills the role of universities to be the source of a well-rounded system of personal enhancement that humans need in order to function for the community in full satisfaction with what they do.