Higher education is increasingly regarded as a necessary stepping stone to well-paying careers, rather than an end in itself for the pursuit of knowledge. However, as artificial intelligence and automation technologies reshape the global job market, the traditional authority of a university degree in career advancement is being challenged. In such an era, should the value of attending university be re-examined—whether to uphold it as the ultimate venue for cultivating critical thinking and civic literacy, or to pivot it entirely toward concrete, quantifiable vocational outcomes? Taking a clear stance, argue for your choice regarding the core purpose of the university, substantiating your reasoning with specific examples from particular countries or individuals.