Part-Time University Studies Not Favoured

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 16

Part-Time University Studies Not Favoured

Although at a certain stage in a country’s development it was essential to allow part-time students in universities so as to produce a sufficient number of trained persons, there was a feeling that these students received higher but not university education. He felt that the trend in New Zealand would be towards full-time study, said Mr G. R. Cowie, Registrar of Queen’s University, Belfast, in an interview in Christchurch. Mr Cowie, who arrived in New Zealand in August, is visiting the country under an Imperial Relations Trust Fellowship awarded by the Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth. “Most people agree that the fulltime student not only gains professional training but also becomes a more rounded personality. He gains much more than the parttime student from his university career,” said Mr Cowie. British Practice The practice in British universities was to allow only full-time study and although the Scottish universities had part-time law students, the University of Aberdeen was breaking new ground by introducing a full-time study for the first two years of the law course, said Mr Cowie. “That the failure rate in New

Zealand is high among part-time students shows the system is undesirable in that it places undue burden on the student,’’ he said. Queen’s University, with a total enrolment of 2600, had room for 76 in its residential hall, said Mr Cowie. To make up a deficiency the university was about to begin a scheme of student lodgings with accommodation provided and meals available at the students' union.

As part of the student health service, which was recognised as the best of its kind in Britain, the university welfare officer inspected all lodgings occupied by students to ensure their suitability, he said. “Queens’ is at present spending more money on capital projects than any other university in Britain.” Mr Cowie said. Between 1947 and 1952 the university was allowed £750,000 by the Government of Northern Ireland, and since 1952 had been allowed a further £2m.

Exchange Visits Discussing extension of the system of exchange visits between Commonwealth universities for. both staff and students, Mr Cowie said both parties wished for it and the real problem was finance.

“We are inclined to think that British universities are the be all and end all, but from what I have seen I am sure you have much you could show us." he said Mr Cowie will remain in Christchurch to attend the annual conference of the Registrars of all colleges of the University of New' Zealand. He will then visit Australia, and is due home at the end of the year.