Harry Messel (Emeritus professor of physics at the University of Sydney ) believes that mass education and quality are a contradiction in terms, especially in the tertiary field, and normally mass education and mediocrity appear to be natural bedfellows.

Yet we see many educational practitioners arguing vehemently to the contrary, extolling the virtues of almost free mass tertiary education for all, with its lower standards and paying lip-service to excellence. Their motto seems to be equal opportunity for all to be mediocre rather than equal opportunity for all to strive for excellence.

Do you believe tertiary education should be accessible to everyone? Do you feel that some universities are increasingly lowering their standards to admit more students? I encourage everyone to read this article "Beware universities' quest for mediocrity" (SMH) and voice their opinions.