Hi-tech CEOs Say Value of Liberal Arts is Increasing

The following is a statement by leaders of Canadian high-technology corporations underscoring the importance of liberal arts education in the digital economy:

Funding of higher education in this country needn’t be an either/or proposition between technology or liberal arts and sciences, as public debate suggests.

As leaders of some of Canada’s growing high-technology companies, we have first-hand knowledge of the necessity for a balanced approach.

Yes, this country needs more technology graduates, as they fuel the digital economy. But it is impossible to operate an effective corporation in our new economy by employing technology graduates alone. We have an equally strong need for those with a broader background who can work in tandem with technical specialists, helping create and manage the corporate environment.

A liberal arts and science education nurtures skills and talents increasingly valued by modern corporations. Our companies function in a state of constant flux. To prosper we need creative thinkers at all levels of the enterprise who are comfortable dealing with decisions in the bigger context. They must be able to communicate – to reason, create, write and speak – for shared purposes: For hiring, training, managing, marketing, and policy-making. In short, they provide leadership.

For example, many of our technology workers began their higher education in the humanities, and they are clearly the stronger for it. This was time well spent, not squandered. They have increased their value to our companies, our economy, our culture, and themselves, by acquiring the level of cultural and civic literacy that the humanities offer.

We stand with the chancellors of Ontario's universities, who recently stated that funding must "permit universities to manage enrolment demand and maintain a diverse and forward-looking curriculum."

It is critical that all universities in Canada receive sufficient funding to ensure a well-educated workforce and a new generation of leadership.

Pierre-Paul Allard, President and Managing Director, Cisco Systems Canada Co.
Everett Anstey, President, CEO and Chairman, Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc.
Kevin Bennis, President and CEO, Call-Net Enterprises Inc. (Sprint Canada)
Micheline Bouchard, Chairman, President and CEO, Motorola Canada Co.
Paul Butler, Director, Artech Digital Entertainments
Stuart Butts, Chairman and CEO, Xenos Group Inc.
Peter Ciceri, President and Managing Director, Compaq Canada Inc.
Ashraf Dimitri, President, Oasis Technology Ltd.
Kevin Francis, Chairman, President and CEO, Xerox Canada Inc.
James de Gaspé Bonar, President and CEO, CCH Canadian Limited
Grant Gisel, President, Sierra Systems Group Inc.
Carl Glaeser, CEO, Bowne Internet Solutions
Dean Hopkins, CEO, Cyberplex Interactive Media
Robert Johnson, CEO and President, Bowne & Co. Inc
Jean Monty, President and CEO, BCE Inc.
Michael O’Neil, Country Manager, International Data Corporation
Joseph Pilarski, CEO and Director, EcomPark Inc.
Doug Steiner, CEO, Versus Technologies Inc. (E*Trade)
Carol Stephenson, President and CEO, Lucent Technologies Canada
Guthrie Stewart, Executive Vice President, Global Development, Teleglobe Inc.
Don Tapscott, President and CEO, New Paradigm Learning Corporation
Yves Thibodeau, President, Canadian Division, DMR Consulting Inc.
David Ticoll, Managing Director and CEO, Alliance for Converging Technologies
Paul Tsaparis, President and CEO, Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd.
David Wagner, President and CEO, Unisys Canada Inc.
John Wetmore, President and CEO, IBM Canada Ltd.
Sheelagh Whittaker, President and CEO, EDS Canada Inc.
D. Craig Young, Vice Chairman and President, AT&T Canada Inc.