ENGINEERING SCHOOL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30082, 16 March 1963, Page 12

ENGINEERING SCHOOL

Extension For 200 Students (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 15. Sketch plans for extensions to the Engineering School at Canterbury University have been approved by the Cabinet, the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) said today. “These extensions will increase the area of the school to 200,000 square feet and its capacity from 500 to 700 students, which will bring it into line with the new Auckland Engineering School now being planned,” said Mr Tennent. “The University Grants Committee is satisfied that to overcome the national shortage of professional engineers in New Zealand training facilities must be provided for between 1300 and 1400 students by 1970,’’ said Mr Tennent.

"The Auckland school, temlorarily housed at Ardmore, has accommodation for about 240, so that overall, with Canterbury handling well over 500, present facilities can cope with a maximum roll of only about 800. “The 1962 Canterbury roll was 538 and the university only narrowly avoided the exclusion of students this year. “It is almost certain that the 1964 intake will he limited because of the lack of space. The extensions will be planned to provide lecture room space and staff accommodation and additional laboratory and technical facilities. “Plans are already being prepared for the extension of the chemical engineering laboratdry. This was approved by the Government last October as a matter of urgency,” said Mr Tennent.