Abstract
GERMANY, and its head, the Emperor, have again shown the world their gratitude for the achievements of science; if desired, the word gratitude may be interpreted in the sense of “favours to come.” Not content with endowing the universities and technical high schools from the Exchequer with what appear to us relatively enormous sums, a society has been founded, under the “protection” of the Emperor, for the advancement of science. It is instructive to note the difference between their method and ours. Both countries possess what is called “technical education”; but while we have founded schools in considerable number, destined to capture the workmen (who seldom attend) and the prospective foremen, they have aimed at the education of the manufacturers and the works managers. Instead of numerous institutions giving elementary science instruction, they have a few, imparting the most advanced. Instead of a system of small scholarships, intended to bribe the clever children of the lower middle class, they leave it to the parents to find out that their children, suitably trained, are equipped for their lifework, and will, if they are diligent, be certain of reasonable incomes, and respectable positions.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Kaiser-Wilhelm Society for the Promotion of Science . Nature 86, 69–70 (1911). https://doi.org/10.1038/086069a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/086069a0