Stewart N. Ethier, professor of Applied Probability at the University of Utah criticized Korea's trend in avoiding basic studies
Visiting Professor at the Yeungnam University Department of Statistics for one year as part of the MEST 'Brain Pool' project
[May 25, 2012]
"If I am an employer, I would hire basic studies major students. Basic studies are not influenced by trends. It is a 'basic' that can be applied in various fields with a broad perspective. On the other hand, applied studies that may seem to be advantageous in landing jobs may lose its usefulness in the future. I hope students keep this in mind when selecting their majors."
Stewart N. Ethier (62, photo), professor at the University of Utah is a world-acclaimed scholar of Statistics and especially Applied Probability criticized Korea's severe trend in avoiding basic studies.
He was selected for the 'Brain Pool', a project for inviting and using the best brains in science from abroad by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology(MEST), and is currently a visiting professor for the YU Department of Statistics from last July to the end of June this year. 'Brain Pool' is a program where renowned professors or researchers are employed by the national government where they work at universities or research institutes and are guaranteed research or lecturing activities. This is for improving the domestic research level, while constructing a global research network in the long run.
Professor Ethier was selected as one of the best brains in the basic studies sector and invited to YU. Whenever he meets students in the Department of Statistics, he always emphasizes the importance of basic studies. He said with confidence, "The more advanced studies you go into, having a strong foundation in basic studies such as math, philosophy or science becomes more important. In this rapidly changing world, high-tech changes by the day, and in the future, convergence will lead changes. If you do not have a strong foundation, convergence will be ever more difficult."
He believes that basic studies should not stop short as theoretical studies. He is working on mathematically explaining various phenomena in different sectors such as finances, stock investment, casino games, and even population genetics through Applied Probability.
Professor Lee, Ji-yeon (44), of the YU Department of Statistics, who came to know him while working as a visiting professor for one year at the University of Utah in 2008, co-authored 6 papers in the past 4 years, and is currently collaborating on 2 more, said, "He taught me that world-class scholars approach and interpret problems in a simple manner and that if the practicality of the basic study is ignored the basic study will be ignored by people, too."
His such convictions are prevalent in his graduate school lectures as well. In his lectures, everyday cases are used to explain the probabilities and statistics which are difficult to be understood.
Nam, Sol-ji (23, 1st year in graduate school) of the YU Graduate School Department of Statistics who is taking his class stated, "I was worried about taking classes from a world-class scholar in the beginning, but it is actually more comfortable and easier." She added, "We ask questions in a free atmosphere and above all else, it is fun studying when I think that I am majoring in a field that will help me theoretically interpret and understand things that are going on around me."
Professor Ethier will be returning to the University of Utah at the end of June. He said, "While living in Korea for the past year, I fell in love with the well-mannered students of Korea," while adding, "I hope to keep lasting relationships with those who I met at YU even after I return to the US."
Graduate school students of the Department of Statistics who are taking Professor Ethier's class (Professor Ethier, fourth from left in back row, Professor Lee, Ji-yeon, fifth from left)
