SENDING STUDENTS ABROAD

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21376, 19 January 1935, Page 3

SENDING STUDENTS ABROAD

<► University Grants To Scholars PROPOSAL TO EXTEND FACILITIES That the University of New Zealand should be able to make special grants to assist students of exceptional ability who would not receive assistance, through a scholarship or other means, to go abroad, was maintained by members of the Senate of the university at the meeting of the Senate yesterday. Dr. J. Hight, rector of Canterbury College, who introduced the subject, used as an illustration the case of a Canterbury College candidate for final Bachelor of Music, whose work was exceptionally highly praised by the English examiner as displaying creative ability of an unusual order, but who, as matters stood, could receive no assistance from the university to enable him to continue his studies in Europe. As a recommendation from the Academic Board, Dr. Hight moved that the Senate should take such powers as would enable it to make special grants to help exceptional students to continue their studies abroad. Dr. Hight said that point was given to the proposal by the remarks of the examiner for final Mus. B. last year that a candidate should be encouraged to go to England to study under some of the famous teachers there. His original composition was commended as really outstanding. It was felt by some that in such cases there was a duty on the university to do whatever it could to assist students of this kind to get to institutions where they would be able to develop their powers to the fullest extent. He would not at present go so far as to recommend the establishment of a senior scholarship in music, as the university, he felt, should reserve a certain portion of its funds to be used as occasion arose for such purposes. The motion was seconded by Colonel G. J. Smith. The pro-chancellor (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) said that a precedent might be established which would cause difficulties later. The Exceptional Case Dr. Hight explained that the student concerned had made no application to the university for a grant. He felt, however, that the case was really ex-cei-tional. It was for the finance committee to determine the source of any fund used for such a purpose. The vice-chancellor (Professor T. A. Hunter) said that all that was asked was that the Senate should take powers to make such special grants. A new statute was necessary to do this, and seemed to him desirable. He was in sympathy with the views expressed by Dr. Newlands that when the university was compelled to restrict its scholarships the funds available for scholarships should not be drawn on for such grants. Nevertheless the Senate should have the power to make such grants. Mr H. F. von Haast thought the university should be able to rise above all technicalities where it was a question of helping a student who showed exceptional ability. As it was made possible for so many men to go abroad for reasons associated with sport, it would be a reflection on the university if it showed that it would do nothing for exceptional students. The University's Concern Dr. H. G. Denham mentioned that where there was provision for an annual scholarship award, as in most subjects, it was quite possible for an inferior student in a year where no really outstanding work was done, to obtain the award. Such cases as that mentioned by Dr. Hight were different, and deserved special attention. Dr. W. Newlands: Why should this be confined to the University of New Zealand. What about the wealthy community of Christchurch? Dr. Hight emphasised the peculiar circumstances of the case which concerned a man with exceptional creative ability. The benefit to him from study abroad was likely to be more valuable to the country than a scholarship to enable a man to go to Europe to continue the study of French. He added that as academic head of the college with which the student was associated, he was naturally interested. He would, however, take a similar attitude no matter what college the student came from. It was not a college matter, but a university matter. The motion was carried and was referred to the finance committee. Travelling Scholarships | Earlier, Dr. Hight moved on behalf of the Academic Board, that the emoluments of the travelling scholar- < ships be restored as soon as possible and that in the meantime the names i of the scholars be published in the calendar. The Academic Board was | seized with the importance of encouraging the best students to go abroad for further study. During the suspension of the emolument of scholarships those who qualified for them should have the credit at least by having their names printed in the calendar of the university. Professor T. A. Hunter said that the first part of the recommendation was a matter for the finance committee. Dr. W. Newlands said that this should be done before any grants to exceptional students were considered. It was decided that the matter should go to the finance committee.