THE university leader who claimed society 'does not need history students' has been urged to lead a debate on the purpose and meaning of education in Northern Ireland.
Professor Patrick Johnston, Queen's Vice-Chancellor, was criticised when he said "society does not need a 21-year-old that is a sixth century historian".
Instead, he said: "It needs a 21-year-old who really understands how to analyse things, understands the tenets of leadership and contributing to society, who is a thinker and someone who has the potential to help society drive forward. I don't talk about producing graduates, I talk about producing citizens that have the potential for leadership in society."
Despite apologising for his remarks the comments have attracted widespread criticism, even leading to the creation of the Twitter profile @QUBsixthcentury, which has already attracted more than 700 followers.
Professor Patrick Murphy, a former director and chief executive at Belfast Institute for Further and Higher Education (now Belfast Metroploitan College) and former educational expert on the Southern Education and Library Board, called for the vice-chancellor to lead a debate on the "purpose and meaning of education in the new Northern Ireland."
"Professor Johnston might now like to add some substance to his apology by agreeing to lead that debate," Professor Murphy said.
He called Professor Johnston's comments "ill-advised" but remarked "even academics get it wrong sometimes".
Of greater concern for Professor Murphy is his belief the comments were clearly influenced by Stormont's decision to place universities under the control of the Department of the Economy, rather than the Department of Education.
"Was he merely reflecting Stormont's view on what universities are for and what education is for? If he was, it is worth examining the thinking behind the assertion that 'society does not need a 21-year-old that is a sixth century historian'," he said.
Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong, a Byzantine Studies graduate from Queen's, said the vice-chancellor's comments were "disappointing", but was aware of the "scorn" these subjects are often given.
"I appreciate the remarks had an unintended outcome. However, as an alumni of QUB I would have expected a little more from the institution I am proud to call my alma mater. As the ninth oldest university in the UK, the graduate body comprises a wealth of talents from Seamus Heaney and Sir Tyrone Guthrie, who are celebrated for their cultural significance in literature and theatre," she said.
The Alliance MLA added: "We need to recognise the relevance of all subjects in providing an important role in society. In today's world, universities should offer a range of educational experiences as well as career specific subjects."
On Tuesday Professor Johnston issued an apology for the offensive comments.
The statement read: "In the interview I wanted to stress that a university education is more than the study of any one subject and that the aim is to produce graduates who have the potential to become leaders within our society. History graduates at Queen's are thinkers who have the capacity to help drive society forward.
"I sincerely apologise if there was any misunderstanding in the interview and would place on record that I have the highest regard for students, colleagues and alumni from History."
