We are living in 1937, and our universities, I suggest, are not half-way out of the fifteenth century. We have made hardly any changes in our conception of university organization, education, graduation, for a century - for several centuries.

The quote "We are living in 1937, and our universities, I suggest, are not half-way out of the fifteenth century. We have made hardly any changes in our conception of university organization, education, graduation, for a century - for several centuries" is from H.G. Wells, a renowned English writer and social commentator. In this statement, Wells critiques the lack of significant progress in the structure and methods of higher education. He suggests that universities, despite being in the modern world of 1937, still operate under outdated systems that have not evolved much from medieval times, particularly in terms of their organization and approach to teaching and graduation.

Wells' comparison of universities to the fifteenth century implies that higher education institutions have been slow to adapt to the needs and realities of the modern world. The quote emphasizes that, in his view, the academic system has remained largely unchanged for centuries, even as society and technology have dramatically advanced. Wells believed that educational institutions should evolve to better prepare students for contemporary challenges, rather than relying on outdated models that no longer serve the public or societal needs effectively.

The origin of the quote comes from Wells' observations as an intellectual and commentator during the early 20th century. He was concerned with the stagnation in many areas of society, and universities were one of the key institutions he felt were resistant to change. As a writer and thinker, Wells advocated for reform in various fields, including education, and his critique of universities was part of his broader effort to call attention to societal structures that were not adapting to the times.

Ultimately, this quote underscores Wells’ belief in the importance of innovation and modernization in all aspects of society, including education. By pointing out the outdated nature of university systems, he called for a rethinking of how we organize and deliver education, hoping to inspire reform that would better align academic institutions with the demands of the future.