LIMIT ON PLACES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29952, 13 October 1962, Page 12

LIMIT ON PLACES

Engineering Schools

I Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 12. The decision of the University of Canterbury to restrict entries to the School of Engineering for the first professional course in 1963 was aired in the House of Representatives today. Mr M. A. Connelly (Opposition, Riccarton) asked the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) how he proposed to deal with such a situation at a time when the need for engineers was so great. “A suggestion has been made that some of the idle capacity at the University of Auckland could be used for those excluded from the University of Canterbury.” Mr Connelly said. "Could the Minister give an assurance that there will be sufficient capacity. and that any students who desire to take an enginering course will be able to do so?”

Mr Connelly said enrolments for the chemical engineering course were such that accommodation would not be available in the chemical engineering department for all prospective applicants. There was no similar department in the University of Auckland.

“Emergency measures have been suggested so that Canterbury University will not lose chemical engineering recruits.” Mr Connelly said. “What steps are proposed? Can the Minister give an assurance that extensions to the School of Engineering will be completed by 1964. and that the science block building programme will be finished by 1966?” Mr Tennent said there was no denying the position was serious. Auckland had lost a great deal of time over its building programme. At Canterbury, the engineering school, intended for 300. had now been expanded to take 700.

“It does appear that we shall have to limit the number of students in the engineering school this coming year.” Mr Tennent said.