DEGREE PASSES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 281, 27 November 1941, Page 6

DEGREE PASSES

ACCREDITING SYSTEM

RESULTS IN DECEMBER

While 300 students of the Auckland University College wait for the verdict of the examiners under the new method of conducting degree and diploma examinations at stage one, no time has been lost in checking up the results and forwarding them to Wellington for final accrediting by the University of New Zealand. It is expected that the passes will be announced early in December.

"The college has shown its ability to conduct the examinations without any difficulties arising," said Professor F. P. Worley, chairman of the Professorial Board, this morning. "The most serious disadvantage to students was the shortness of the time between the completion of lectures for the year ana the holding of the examinations, but next year this will be remedied by allowing an interval for final preparation- It hns, therefore, been decided that the 11142 examinations shall commence on October 19, instead of in the early part of the month."

Professor Worley said the new system, which was an important first step towards autonomy in the university colleges, had been made smoothly, and it was unlikely that there would be any lowering of the academic standard: the tendency would be rather towards a higher standard.

In consequence of the reform, each college and each department is given more freedom than it had ever enjoyed before, and students at the first stage of their degree courses are examined by their own professors. To enable the University Senate to review the position fully, reports on the operation of the new procedure are being made by the professorial board at the various colleges. Among the benefits expected, it was stated thta a sounder method of teaching should result.