South African inspiration

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Jack Tracey, Dec 13, 2003.

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  1. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Maybe it's got to do with why I became a Social Worker but I can't work on my SA doctoral degree without becoming involved (if only at a distance) in the affairs of South Africa. I know the Nobel Prizes are being awarded now (please note the literature prize winner) but also please note that there are other awards being made at this time. This article seems to me to be a source of inspiration for all of us who are interested in education.
    http://allafrica.com/stories/200312120630.html
    In the past I've listed a small set of web sites related to Africa. To me it's interesting that all of these sites have pages dedicated to the subject of education. For these people education is more than simply a way to get a promotion or a raise. It's more than a matter of keeping pace with the changing world. It's a matter of physical survival. Please forgive my use of melodrama but I use it to create perspective. We discuss "the easiest way to earn credits," or "the fastest way to get a degree." For many people education is hope for life itself.
    Jack
     
  2. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    From my very little bit of experience with UZ it seems to me, I may be wrong, that education in SA , often in contrast to education in the US, has more of a goal of and application to social improvement than being done more strictly for personal benefit. I would think this having a broader and possibly more, at times, noble purpose would be a helpful enducement for one to finish programs.

    The modest costs and facilitating manner of my current program might make anyone wish to give something back to a country that enables such educational opportunities to be offered even to those outside its realm. I suspect there are societal and economic etiologies for this which I know nothing of, but, nevertheless, I am very thankful to SA.

    And Jack, you are nearly waxing evangelistic here:rolleyes:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 13, 2003
  3. angela

    angela New Member

    South Africa

    South Africa is a complex, fascinating country. It spends more on education than most middle-income countries, but has big backlogs in other development areas, esp housing and employment.

    The President describes it as 2 countries - one rich and white, the other poor and black. This is simplistic and things are changing a lot. But I hope that the funding the taxpayer provides to subsidize foreign students is an investment in goodwill. Jack's posting seem to indicate that it might just be.

    I'm not SA-born, but I've become immensely proud of the pace, with all its contradictions, and for all those studying through an SA institution, I strongly recommend a visit!
     
  4. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    I'll try to be more careful in the future. ;)
    Jack
     
  5. oxpecker

    oxpecker New Member

    Re: South Africa

    With the highest reported violent crime rate in the world? Hmmm...
     
  6. winstonwolf

    winstonwolf New Member

    online degree...diploma mill

    Imagine yourself as one of many out of work from the fashionable "workforce reductions" over the last year or two. Let's say you had worked very hard for the last twenty + years for one employer, did a great job, made them a butt load of $....but never had a degree. (which was okay with them) Now you are out there looking for work and employers all ask you if you have a degree. If you say no, they are done talking to you, even though you have an amazing amount of experience and have accomplished quite a lot of independent study, taken a few classes and attended 100 +hours of assorted classes within the last company, have incredible references, and basically a lot to offer. In a situation like this, would it be fair and honest to get the degree based on this life experience, accomplishments, and background and be able to answer "yes" to the question? So many employers HR people are running down a check list, why not get the paper and the chance to get a good job. At the end of the day you will have to get the job done and prove yourself to the employer. But first you have to get in the door.
     
  7. Charles

    Charles New Member

    winstonwolf,

    Does your post have anything to do with South Africa?

    Do you put forth proposition that one can become more employable with a bogus degree - become more employable with a bogus degree - become more employable with a bogus degree?

    You cannot become more employable with a bogus degree!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 14, 2003

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