Description: More than a decade ago, Jim Hickman visited Lebanon Valley College to talk to high school summer program participants about the actuarial profession. Then, and at other times since, Jim has expressed sincere interest and concern for undergraduate education, and special affection for the small liberal arts college. This paper describes some student undergraduate research projects undertaken by actuarial science students at Lebanon Valley College. It briefly considers getting students involved, where to get ideas for projects, types of projects, and then summarize some specific projects which have been completed by Lebanon Valley students. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1994, Vol. 1.

Description: In early 1989, the Society of Actuaries appointed a Task Force on Strengthening Relationships Between Universities and the Actuarial Profession. The charge of the Task Force was to explore the relationships between the actuarial profession and universities in the United States and Canada and recommend how they can be strengthened to the benefit of both the actuarial profession and the universities. This article summarizes the Task Force's recommendations that were approved by the Society of Actuaries Board of Governors. From Actuarial Research Clearing House, 1991 Vol. 1.

Description: In the past, discussion of actuarial education has focused on curriculum content [what is to be learned] and mode of delivery [university course versus part-time correspondence course]. Little attention has been paid to how students learn, and how that learning can be facilitated to develop actuaries with the knowledge, skills and values the profession needs. This paper deals with the university-related content of a more comprehensive paper prepared by the authors for the 1993 Convention of The Institute of Actuaries of Australia. It concentrates on students' learning in the undergraduate actuarial program at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, but it is likely that many of its findings and conclusions would apply equally to university actuarial courses elsewhere. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1994, Vol. 1.

Description: Presented at 1983 Actuarial Research Conference. Discussion focuses on improving coordination between practicing actuaries, academic actuaries and non-actuarial academics. The situations in Canada and the UK are also discussed. The emphasis is on research and communications among the different parties.

Description: This 1998 presentation from the 33rd Actuarial Research Conference reports on a number of activities related to the relationship between the actuarial profession and the academic community, including: 1. feedback received during the related session at last year's Actuarial Research Conference, 2. some the results from the SOA Research Effectiveness Task Force survey, and 3. recent developments such as the joint CAS, CIA, SOA Task Force on Academic Relations.

Description: Actuarial science is at a cross roads. Many are urging that our highly successful examination process be partially abandoned in favour of accepting university courses in a number of basic subjects. This drive is based in part on the difficulties in supporting the present system, the experience elsewhere and a misplaced confidence in the quality of the university system. This paper explores where the university system is and where it needs to go in order to adequately serve the interests of the actuarial community.