What cultures place high value on educational credentials? (home, schools)

[ragnarkar]

Not sure if this should go in this forum or the Education forum (mods, feel free to move if it's the case.)

From my experience, in Chinese culture, graduating from a prestigious university and/or having a prestigious degree (i.e. PhD) plays a much greater role in defining a person's "success" than in the US.

Any examples of other cultures around the world where the pursuit of higher education for the sake of higher education is held in high regard?

[robertpolyglot]

The US. Just look at the constant ranking of universities across a myriad of fields. We are bombarded with these rankings and the "mystique" of certain schools.

[Davy-040]

Japan and South Korea for sure.

[Thepastpresentandfuture]

Countries that seem to place the highest value on educational credentials and attainment: China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, USA, France, UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Belgium.

Educational attainment in some ways is not easily measured. Yes, college/university and schooling is one easy method to measure it, but it is not the only way as people can educate themselves and stimulate themselves intellectually in other ways outside of their schooling in other aspects of their lives.

In some cases, some people do very well in school, and still may show lack of intelligence for some important topics. And then others may not do as well in school, and they can still show high quality intelligence and insight on some important topics.

[irish_bob]

the usa as a whole does not place that high a value on education , if it did it would not be so prohibitivley expensive and the idea of inteligent design would not have got past the pages of MAD magazine , only a minority go to world class universitys , america is quite anti intelectual

i would say israel places a lot of emphasis on education credentials , knowledge is hugely important jewish cultural trait

germany aswell , nearly all germans can speak more than one language and they excel in the sciences , they are a very well read people when it comes to foreign cultures

[irish_bob]

Originally Posted by Thepastpresentandfuture

Countries that seem to place the highest value on educational credentials and attainment: China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, USA, France, UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Belgium.

Educational attainment in some ways is not easily measured. Yes, college/university and schooling is one easy method to measure it, but it is not the only way as people can educate themselves and stimulate themselves intellectually in other ways outside of their schooling in other aspects of their lives.

In some cases, some people do very well in school, and still may show lack of intelligence for some important topics. And then others may not do as well in school, and they can still show high quality intelligence and insight on some important topics.

you can exclude the uk , thier education system is nothing special , its quite an anti intelectual place aswel, the popularity of the murdoch media is proof of this

[Pruzhany]

The US. Just look at the constant ranking of universities across a myriad of fields.

But not with American born students. Most classes at or above MA/MS are filled by more than half of students from outside the US.

i would say israel places a lot of emphasis on education credentials , knowledge is hugely important jewish cultural trait

They understand the value of the title and its upward stepping stones.

[Ruth4Truth]

Very interesting discussion.

Education, attaining higher education, is very important in Zimbabwe culture. Unfortunately, due to the train wreck of a government, there's not much opportunity right now. Those who can, get out, and get educations in Europe or the US. But then the question is, what can they do with it? Jobs are available back home only if one has political connections. So people remain stranded in the countries where they got their education.

[Stumbler.]

I'd imagine most developing countries value it as a stepping stone to getting a good job and lifting themselves out of poverty.

[Haowen Wong]

China. Chinese Americans in particular. You are powerless without a Ph.D.