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.

Description: This article summarizes a proposal which combines two independent but complimentary ideas regarding loans for post-secondary education in the U.S.: 1. Individuals repay the loans by committing a percentage of their future income for twenty-five years [but not beyond age 65] rather than by a fixed dollar amount, and 2. A portion of the 5ocial 5ecurity [OASDI] Trust Funds be used as initial capital to finance those loans. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1991, Vol. 1.

Description: Continuing change pervades the actuarial world. Actuarial tools and techniques are constantly evolving, new financial products and services appear regularly, legislation and regulation rarely remain unchanged for long, consumers are becoming better informed and more sophisticated, the financial environment is becoming increasingly global, distinctions between types of financial institution are becoming more blurred, and the areas in which actuaries find applications for their skills become more varied. In this context, the most important attribute for actuaries is the capacity to adapt. This paper considers some implications for university actuarial programs of the need to develop adaptive actuaries. It discusses the results of a survey of the preferred learning styles of Macquarie University actuarial students, examines the newly introduced Australian actuarial subject called 'The Actuarial Control Cycle,' and looks at the use of portfolios of student work. It concludes that in order to develop adaptive actuaries for the 21st century, actuarial programs must broaden the range and type of teaching/learning activities and assessment methods provided for students.

Description: This is the programme of the 24th Actuarial Research Conference. From the Actuarial Research Clearing House 1990 Vol. 1.

Description: This paper contains the results of a survey which show that computer skills have appeared to become a more important part of the hiring process. From the Actuarial Research Clearing House 1997 VOL. 1