Skill-judged 1

Employers do not understand what higher education is if the Council for Industry and Higher Education survey comments are to be believed ("Involve employers in making graduates employable", THES , May 24). Higher education is not to teach undergraduates basic English or how to count. That is a job for schools. Universities teach undergraduates how to think, argue a case and undertake research. They open graduates' minds to prepare them for employers to teach them to be a productive employee.

As to poor time management skills, students juggle studies, employment and a social life better than those who produce such ill-informed surveys.

Robin Thomas
University of London