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The rapid advancement in world technology and the diversity of information resources available nowadays require that university graduates be able to ‘think well' not only in their professions but also for themselves as citizens and, thus, better be prepared to succeed in their life. These ‘good thinking' skills are bound to what is widely recognized as ‘critical thinking'. Critical thinking, a cognitive skill that entails obtaining and analyzing information efficiently, in addition to making important decisions about personal and public matters, is believed to be crucial in higher education programs. A review of the research literature in this area is undertaken, and the conceptions of teaching likely to inhibit critical thinking, as well as the techniques required to enhance it, are outlined. Some useful techniques and strategies for including ‘critical thinking' into university courses, and for helping students to learn good thinking skills, are presented and discussed. Some key issues are recommended in an attempt to better link the classroom experiences to the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]