3.1 Practice versus theory-oriented training

Traditionally universities are biased towards theoretical work, and its application to problems of the real world is looked down upon as Jess scientific" and, sometimes, below the dignity of a real scientist. On the one hand, theory is the basis of scientific training which cannot be waived. It is fundamental for the development of science and for research. There is nothing more practical than a good theory. On the other hand, the scientist's problems are not society's problems and the real world situation is usually different from the assumptions made in many theoretical models. Therefore, while theoretical training is fundamental at the university level, the application of theories towards solving practical problems has to be taught and exercised in addition, if not only a few scientists, but graduates are to be trained for a wide spectrum of jobs.