EDITORIAL
The university triangle The balanced pursuit of excellence in our universities is one of our most important influences
T
o bring all this year's Nobel Prizes in science (C&EN, Nov. 4, page 20 and page 72 this issue) to one country is a remarkable achievement and a source of genuine gratification to a country that has given emphasis and support to scientific research on a scale never seen before. At the same time, the U.S. has an economy the power of which has not been equaled before. The thought of a trillion-dollar economy ( C&EN, Nov. 4, page 90) is staggering, yet the probability is in sight. A major block of this industrial economy is the chemical industry. Can such a condition and pace be maintained? The history and outlook of other nations that have excelled suggest that it cannot. Great Britain, where the industrial revolution developed with great effect, has also taken many Nobel Prizes; she stands second in the number of prizes over the years and continues to bring them home. Yet, by her own agonizing admission, Britain is having a very hard time developing technological strength fully into economic productivity. Though some of the finest universities in the world are in Britain, training and atmosphere conducive to the optimum utilization of technology in industry have not achieved the needed status there. Germany, a leader both in Nobel Prizes and in industry between the two World Wars, continues with a strong chemical industry but is involved in a struggle to bring more flexibility into her universities which have been, by design and tradition, rigidly hierarchical. Excellent chemical work is done there, but few Nobel Prizes have been won in recent years. Looking to the future, we see the Soviet Union and Japan making mighty efforts in chemistry, as well as other sciences and technology. Both are publishing more and both are pushing hard to
build powerful chemical industries, with the Japanese success being more readily measured. Under predictable conditions both can be expected to continue their rise. What will be required to keep the United States in a strong position? Certainly balance will be needed. We will need both strong universities and progressive industry. Strong universities are the breeding grounds for the whole system. Only the high stimulation of a good university is likely to develop the excellent mind that can compete for a Nobel Prize. And the base for leading and developing modern industry also must be built with good university training. In recent weeks, Prof. Jacques Barzun of Columbia University has come forth with charges that our universities have been neglecting their teaching in a rush toward public service ( public service of a different kind—after all what better public service than great teaching). This attitude conflicts with much that has been said and done during the past quarter century and has stirred once again an active controversy. The best future path for universities likely lies in effective application of the view of Dr. James A. Perkins, president of Cornell University, who sees the university as a triangle the sides of which are teaching, research, and public service. The balance among these three elements—and the excellence of their pursuit—will probably have more influence on the future condition of the country than will anything else.
^^ApfZJCyi NOV. 11, 1968 C&EN
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