Sponsored Research In Engineering Urged

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29747, 14 February 1962, Page 15

Sponsored Research In Engineering Urged

Sponsored engineering research would be welcome in the universities. Professor N A Mowbray of Auckland, told the conference of the New Zealand Institution of Engineers in Christchurch last evening. He was one of three contributors to a symposium on engineering research, education and the design of engineering schools The others were Profe c sor H J Hopkins, of Canterbury University. and Professor A. L. Titcheny. Auckland. The staff of the engineering schools had professional experience, and the opportunity of research, now going overseas, would also retain young men who were going abroad, said Professor Mowbray.

The new bursary arrangements would provide a needed incentive for a better performance by students, especially in intermediate examinations, but scholarships were needed at the research level. “Most are now related not to the benefit of the student but are bait tp get him into a particular avenue of employment," Professor Mowbray said Professor Titchener spoke of the loss of students, especially the better ones, overseas. An Auckland survey based on School of Engineering addresses had shown that at least 20 per cent, of graduates went overseas and did not come back “This means that to get 100 more engineers we have to produce 125,” he said “I believe we are not goine to meet the shortage of engineers.” Professor Ti’ehener concluded, after describing a survey and projection of engineering vacancies and student supply up to 1975 “There are now roughly 2000 engineers of fully professional status and about 350 to 400 others who are graduates.” said Professor Titchener. Calculated on ’he correlation of sixth-form rolls *0 siib«enuent schoo’ intakes he found th”’ by 19 7 S there would be 4750 to s«f>o engineers “This will Ml far short of the demand.” he said

Professor Hopkins said that past estimates for engineering students had al-

ways been under-estimates, “It is not unreasonable that at some time in the future we shall be as well developed as the United States is now.” he said.

If this were so in 10 years, then New Zealand, by comparison with the United States engineering percentage, would need 4000 engineers. It might take 20 years—then 5000 would be needed. He said he saw the need for three schools with about ’450 students each.

“We should plan schools for 4300 students at some time in the future. Let us take a long-term view if only that way we do not have to move our universities from site to site,” he said.