Students or Customers?
Written by George Batzanopoulos
As changes take place quietly behind the scenes, each new beginning reminds us of the need to reassess things. On the occasion of the start of my final semester, I write this reflection on the contemporary university.
The establishment of tuition fees by universities and their continuous increase have transformed the university from an educational institution into a business. Subject to an economic framework, the university has ceded control to profit. The degree is now a material commodity, which is not earned but is the object of a transaction between the student and the university, establishing a client relationship between the two. In order to maintain its operational functionality, the university-seller will accommodate the student-buyer as much as possible. In this way, it will avoid extending his stay at the university, allowing it to serve more customers.
Enthralled by the ease and profitability of transactions, the university will renounce its authentic self. Indifferent to the intellectuality of its core, it will resort to constantly readjusting its image to ephemerally align itself with trends and entice the largest possible number of customers. Its former self has faded into oblivion. Its alien nature is gradually eroding it, and activism (ακτιβισμός) — defined as the action as an end in itself — will express this erosion. It will cover the seller like a veil, fuelling its fabricated image while, through its transparency, it will expose the hollowness of this degenerate institution.
The reconstitution of the university as an intellectual institution is, for the student, a matter of self-consciousness. And his guide towards it will be questioning. Recognising himself as a customer is necessary to contrast himself to a true student. Only through it can he perceive his true self and his relation to education. In order to distinguish between the fabricated and the real; to overtake the vagueness of activism and focus on what is essential.
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The discussion about students versus customers raises important points about how we view engagement in different sectors. Similarly, in the world of education and services, having a strong front-end development can significantly improve how users interact with platforms. A well-designed front end is crucial for providing seamless experiences for students and customers alike. For a deeper understanding of front-end development and how it can enhance user experience, check out this article: https://elitex.systems/front-end-development. It offers valuable insights into the latest practices and trends in the field.
The discussion about students and customers is relevant because it examines the education sector's relationship with students, who are often also perceived as customers. Just as Ivars Sormulis talks about the decision to acquire Gulfstream Oil, educational institutions must also think about how to optimally meet the needs of students by building relationships that provide long-term value for both students and educational institutions.
The discussion about students versus customers highlights the evolving relationship between education and consumerism. In both cases, recognizing and nurturing talent is essential for long-term success. A great resource on this is Mārtiņš Lauva, which emphasizes the importance of identifying and leveraging entrepreneurial talent to drive success, whether in education, business, or other fields.
The discussion on whether students are learners or customers raises important questions about the evolving role of education. With virtual learning becoming more common, keeping track of key discussions is essential for both students and educators. A helpful resource on this is https://www.sembly.ai/blog/how-to-create-google-meet-notes/, which provides guidance on effectively capturing and organizing notes from online meetings, ensuring that important insights are not lost.