Universities around the world are under siege. Rising tuition fees, declining graduate employability and the rapid spread of micro-credentials and AI-powered learning platforms have led many to ask: is a university degree still worth it? For a generation raised on YouTube tutorials, Coursera courses and ChatGPT, the traditional four-year degree looks increasingly like an expensive relic.

This skepticism is not without reason. Micro-credentials promise focused, affordable job-ready skills. Employers are increasingly receptive to alternative certifications. AI has democratised access to knowledge; a student in a remote village can now access explanations, simulations and even personalised coaching.

Yet amid the noise, one crucial truth risks being forgotten: universities were never just about content delivery or developing practical skills. They were, and still are, about human connection, socialisation and formation of citizens.

Consider what happens on a university campus beyond the classroom. Friendships are forged that last a lifetime,........

© The Express Tribune