The global community recognizes that education is an important foundation for the development of the society. Through educational institutes, people are equipped with the tools needed to participate in the various nation-building activities. The importance of higher education has increased significantly due to the rise in demand for a skilled labor force over the last few decades. Many universities have emerged to provide courses that give students useful skills that are used in the real world environment.
The key consideration for most universities as they seek new students is the academic ability of the individual. This is based on the premise that students with high grades have a high likelihood of achieving success in their courses. However, academic performance should not be the major consideration when seeking new students. This paper will argue that universities should aim to attract creative students who would use their ingenuity for the benefit of the university and the society.
The university’s ability to contribute to the progress of the human civilization is increased by having creative students. Since historical times, universities have acted as the engine of human advancement. These institutions have been the centers of research and great discoveries and innovations have been made by scholars in the university environment.
In a large and civilized country, every generation produces a few great creative figures. Morley and Crouch assert that if their creativity happens to have an academic component, the universities will be the sites of their work (143). The universities not only provide the resources needed to implement the innovations of these minds but also the conducive environment needed to enhance creativity.
By attracting creative students, universities would increase their direct contributions to the economic prosperity of the nation. Universities are expected to contribute to the society’s well being by equipping students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to become productive members of the society. Creative students have the potential to make the biggest contribution to economic growth through their entrepreneurial activities.
Akers asserts that where creative people congregate, there are more business startups, more expansions, and more entrepreneurial activity (123). Unlike other classes of students who mostly expect to be employed after completing their studies, the creative students aim at becoming employers. The society benefits from the additional job opportunities created by the creative students. In addition to this, the creative students increase the productivity of existing companies.
Akers declares that there is a demand for creative people even within existing companies due to the ability of these people to come up with new approaches to cutting costs and increase productivity with available resources (122). As such, the university’s impact on the county’s economy is increased when it has many creative students.
Creative students will help raise the profile and positive perception of the university to the society. Students with creative abilities are likely to excel in their field and gain national or even global recognition for their innovations. Through their ingenuity, the students will come up with novel creations that will be of use to the community. Willis notes that by producing high-profile innovative figures, the university will gain great recognition (254).
The students will serve as ambassadors of their alma mater with the university receiving credit for producing such creative individuals. The profile of the university in the community will therefore be increased due to its association with these industry leaders. This high profile will make it easy for the university to attract the best tutors, the smartest students, and external funding.
Finally, creative students possess the ability to transform the university into a vibrant learning community for all students. The ability of the university to involve students in the learning process is crucial to its success. Over the last few decades, universities have been making major changes in their structures and coming up with products aimed at increasing student participation and learning outcomes (Willis 43).
The creative students can help a university create a vibrant learning environment through their creative ability and leadership potential. Morley and Crouch observe that creative students possess an intrinsic drive to learn and involve others in their projects (52). Through their innate leadership abilities, the creative students will motivate the other students to actively participate in the academic tasks. This will result in greater performances for all students in the university setting.
This paper set out to explain why universities should attract creative students. It began by acknowledging the important role that universities play in the development of the society. The paper then elaborated on the significant contributions that creative students make to the university and the society.
The paper has shown that by attracting creative students, the university will promote human advancement, enhance the nation’s economy, raise its public profile and create a vibrant learning environment. Considering the significant positive effects that creative students have on the university and the society, higher learning institutes should come up with effective strategies aimed at attracting these students.
Works Cited
Akers, Mark. Indiana in Decision: Hoosiers at an Economic Crossroads. Indiana: University Press, 2010. Print.
Morley, Ian and Mira Crouch. Knowledge as Value: Illumination Through Critical Prisms. NY: Rodopi, 2008. Print.
Willis, Phil. Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality. London: The Stationery Office. Print.