I appreciate the perspective. I am in computer science (startups) and I find that a BS does have value when hiring someone, still they are 10x stronger if they also had intern experience or other real world experience... school training is quite out dated.

Technical fields are just moving too fast for teachers to be current... they were trained in ancient technological times.

Not quite sure how I would frame a CS degree if I were a king for a day. i certainly would:

(1) keep many core training like datastructures etc.

(2) certainly would heavily leverage recent AI and

(3) collaborate w/ students and industry in tracking best practice.

I also very much agree with your thinking about teaching students to think and learn efficiently.

Beyond those ideas I am not sure what I would add the world is moving so fast even as one in the middle of it, I hesitate when I am asked for advice since I know whatever I say will be obviated long before they really hit stride in their career.

This coming generation is going to experience transitions at a pace far beyond the already fast pace we see today.

Kudos to you for pushing back on your entirely deluded colleagues.