Comment by rimantas

(X = E ́cole Polytechnique)

  X stresses a curriculum of breadth, rather than depth. Although the university
  specializes in engineering, students are required to take classes in sports and
  humanities. Students spend the first four years studying a wide undergraduate
  curriculum before their year of military service and then spend the remaining year
  exclusively studying their specific major.
  <…>
  The goal of the X curriculum is to develop critical thinking skills rather than
  preparation for an engineering occupation.

We still have system similar to this. Too bad many students don't like it :( I often read and hear cries "we ain't gonna need this". Not going to need brains? And yes, critical thinking involves the knowledge of some trivia.