There are certainly arguments to be made that university is by definition, in original intent, and in theory solely a vehicle for teaching academic thought, but I think the pragmatic counter to them is a poll of "why are you here?"[1] , and should be considered valid.
The end result is that university is in practice not one or the other but both: it must teach some academic thought, and provide some job-readiness.
I wish to digress for a moment into why that is not just a failing of many students to understand school's true purpose: many people (hi) do not come from a background where lifetime economic security is a guarantee, and while programming is a rare example (at least in North America) where if you spend the time, you can probably do it, and if you can do it, you can probably be paid well for it, there are unfortunately still gatekeepers. HR departments frequently resort to very base credentialism to sort through candidate resumés, and those with schooling typically come first and get higher base offers of compensation. Not to speak of the network social effects of spending years with other entrants into the field, and the opportunities for extra-curricular pursuits which also are well regarded by those gatekeepers.
These among other things have forced many people with mere occupational goals to pursue university degrees. I wish it were not like this, because my professors universally did not feel that that was a good reason to be there, and occasionally avoided very useful practical topics on principle, but I (and many within my cohort) felt there was no better alternative for a successful outcome in life, and it has mostly worked out.
1 - I of course have not conducted this poll, but I do strongly believe that at least a plurality would respond with job-attainment as their primary goal, and would not be surprised by an even greater response.
