Two Canterbury Women Doctors Of Philosophy

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29192, 30 April 1960, Page 2

Two Canterbury Women Doctors Of Philosophy

The first two women to complete doctorates of philosophy at Canterbury University will be capped at the university’s graduation ceremony next week. They are Miss Ena Balfour and Miss Elizabeth Edgar.

Both have studied for their doctorates in botany, under Professor W. R. Phillipson. “We would like to acknowledge the time and attention that Professor Phillipson has given to us,” said Miss Edgar in Christchurch yesterday.

Miss Balfour will be capped in absentia, as she is at present lecturing in botany at the University of Queensland.

An old girl of St. Margaret’s College, Miss Balfour attended Canterbury University from 1952 until 1958. She graduated M.Sc. with firstclass honours in 1956, and was awarded a Canterbury University research scholarship, which she held for 1957 and 1958. On completion of her Ph.D. degree, she was appointed lecturer in botany at the University of Queensland. While at university, Miss Balfour was an active member of the Scientific Society. She played

hockey for the university at a winter tournament, and also sang in the church music group. Language Studies Miss Edgar, who went to RangiRuru School, completed a B.A. degree in Latin and Greek before turning to the sciences. “I found these studies very useful for botany,” she said yes-

terday. She has learned German. and is now studying Russian.

While working with the crop research division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, she worked for her M.Sc. degree, and graduated M.Sc. with equivalent .first-class honours in 1957. She held a Canterbury University research scholarship in 1957, and a University of New Zealand research fund fellowship for 195859.

She is at present working with the botany division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.