Massey Veterinary Faculty Plans

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 14

Massey Veterinary Faculty Plans

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, January 28.

In the next 20 years the number of veterinary surgeons in New Zealand may be doubled, said the chairman of the University Grants Committee (Dr. F. J. Llewellyn) when he opened the thirty-ninth annual conference of the New Zealand Veterinary Association in Hamilton this morning.

Dr. Llewellyn spoke of the new veterinary faculty at Massey University College in 1964. The Dumber of veterinary surgeons was just under 400 and it was hoped tihiis would be increased to about 800 in the first 20 year;, he said. Dr. Llewellyn said it was hoped the first intake would be 32 students, increasing after a few years to 48 < 50. This year <t was hoped to appoint staff and the college had advertised for 11 academic positions, including three professors, six or seven senior lecturers, as well as technical, administrative and lay staff, said Dr. Llewellyn. By 1967 it was hoped to have the first graduates in veterinary science. Dr. Llewellyn said it was important to engage staff of high quality whose job, apart from teaching, would be to guide in detail the development of the faculty Research Work “I hope eventually that teaching will not occupy their full time so that they, will be able to engage in research activities and that they will be able to act in an advisory capacity for the problems of the veterinary profession,” he said. The aim was to train young men, but teachers would be given the incentive of progressive activities, he said. Dr. Llewellyn hoped the undergraduates, with those seeking post-graduate and research diplomas, would lead to a standard intake of not less than 210 at the faculty. The ideal to aim at was one teacher to five students, he sair" "I do hope the environment we create will stimulate applicants. Teachers are in short supply, but the University Grants Committee hopes to review he whole academic salary situation.” The university salary bill might increase by about 10 per cent., said Dr. Llewellyn

The committee felt it mist have quickly, the widest advice possible and appointed two people to assist in the next few weeks—Dr. L. J Wilde, and Professor D. Mactar lane, of Sydney, who would arrive in New Zealand on February 7. Dr. TJeweUyn spoke of two things thait “needed looking at.” These were registration of graduates, which the act did not make dear. “We must ensure the board nas

the power to register a graduate,” he said. The second point was recognition of the degrees of the New Zealand institution in other countries. “Some doubts have been expressed on this matter and I hope all concerned will get their heads together so the organisation of courses and the general level will allow the Royal College in London to give us its blessing.” said Dr. Llewellyn. New Zealand degrees generally were rated highly and had in the past been “snapped up” overseas, Dr. Llewellyn said.