Shortly after arriving at UNITECH in April 2005, I met an australian architect who was visiting campus to facilitate a one week workshop within the School of Building and Architecture. One day we met at the Kopi Haus and had lunch with a couple of other staff from architecture. Within the context of this short story his name is irrelevant. If my memory serves me correct this gentleman had previously taught here at UNITECH but over the past few years had been in private practice.
Over lunch I told him that I was a volunteer and very new to the world of academia and universities. I will always remember one thing he said : “Universities are like a sheltered workshop”.
When I first heard a university described as sheltered workshop - I wasn't quite sure what to make of it - didn't really make sense.
Now that I have been working in an academic environment for over a year - it certainly is starting to make sense. Big sense!!
***** An earth tremor just shook the building a little… *****
Over the past 15 months I have met many academics and have become friends with quite a few. Overall a really nice crew and people that I have enjoyed working with.
But there are others… just a few… whom fit the “sheltered workshop” stereotype to the tee.
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