There is much international debate about what the purpose of a university education is.In this essay,I will present my own views on this topic followed by the views of several western academic representatives.Before I did any research on the topic,I had to consider my own views on what a university education should provide its students.The main purpose of higher education is the training for future career.The university education train students to think clearly,write well,analysis clearly,these are what the employers look for.What is the content the training including?Professional knowledge teaching takes much part of the training.Students get their major’s knowledge and absorb it,then using what they learned in their works.Besides,to develop the capacity of solving problems is included in the training.I assume that the development of this capacity fostering bases on critical thinking.Learning critical thinking is learning how to find the key to solve problems.This capacity is very important for working in society.The principle of higher education is for fostering good quality.When students graduated from university,they will work in the society,in the fields of science,economic,technology,service and so on.They will work with other people,and they will live together with others.They should develop the capacity how to live together with others in an interdependent world.Students should not study for degrees.This is all what I think the purpose of a university education.On his web page,Miguel Angel Escolet looks at whether knowledge or utility is the purpose of a university education.He presents there purpose of a university education.He thinks higher education is for freedom and democracy,for knowledge and innovation,and for humankind and their environment.It is very clear to see that he thinks knowledge is a more important purpose of a university.It stands on a higher degree than the utility is.The knowledge should help students have right values of life and the world.A university should help its students expand social,scientific,and economic development,freedom,dignity and authentic democracy.He thinks a utilitarian model is too narrow.Students should not only pursue degrees.According to the Roman Catholic Apostolic Constitution,the true purpose of a university education is more than getting trained for a career to gain material success.In their position paper,the writers refer to John Henry Newman’s Discourse on the issue to make a case for what they believe a university should provide.Newman thinks that the purpose of a university education should not be the preparation for future career,he holds the same statement with Miguel Angel Escolet ,the knowledge is more important than utility training.The author gets the conclusion from Newman’s writing that a university education should be designed to last a lifetime.This point is about people should gain knowledge from a university education and use it through life but not just in work,and people gains knowledge throughout life as well.In his writing Newman says “A proper university education should incorporate every subject matter”,I assume that is also I am considering,building an integrated knowledge system for its students.The essence of this system is not only makes you to be the one who is good at working,and succeed over the top,but also foster you to be good citizen with beautiful mind.Higher education aims to make humankind better and create a wonderful world for the next generation.As a university student,it has been interesting for me to think about my own views what a university education is for and to compare with the views of western academics.Now that I know about what other people think is the purpose of a university education,I think the purpose of a university should focus on knowledge,and not be limited in training.University education is a project that whole world should pay more attention to work out.