University - Is it necessary?

I have been studying most of my adult life. As soon as I graduated high school I went to university and proceeded to complete my degree, then worked as a TA for some time and completed my post grad.

Even though I no longer go to university i find that I naturally read books and browse things online. I find a satisfaction in learning all that I can and it makes me think about all the time I spent in university and whether or not it was a necessary thing to do.

I find that when I am free-learning as I do every day I learn a lot more and it seems to sink in. It is also more enjoyable. Is structured learning necessary? Or should people be able to absorb what they want, when they want?

I have learned much in my time in university. I just wonder if it can be improved in some manner to be used in real world situations or if the infrastructure is too slow to do that.

In today's complex world another Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison or Henry Ford-all whom did not attend university--is very unlikely.

Universities are here to stay.