Dennis Hayes claims that the sole purpose of the university is research and that "the only test of the success of university 'teaching' is whether it produces a new generation of creative and critical academics".
The research university was invented only in the 19th century.
The main business of all but the most research-intensive universities is to teach undergraduates. Only a small proportion of graduates become academics, and the tail is wagging the dog if those who do not become academics are branded as failures.
George MacDonald Ross
Director, Philosophical and Religious Studies
LTSN Subject Centre
University of Leeds