Inquiries For Courses At Technical Institute

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 11

Inquiries For Courses At Technical Institute

Power to “canvass the field” for new courses at the Christchurch Technical Institute was granted the principal (Mr D. W Lyall) when the board of managers met on Monday evening.

The principal should have some freedom to explore the possibilities of establishing new courses when inquiries were received, members agreed during a full discussion on the subject. "We are at a stage of our development when we are expanding, and these things must lie in the hands of the principal,” said the chairman (Mr R. Jones). Recent Inquiries Inquiries have recently been received about a full-time course in commercial art, particularly for girls, and a "sandwich” course for electrical trainees, suggested by the New Zealand Electricty Department. Several steps had to he taken before the establishment of a new course, said Mr Lyall. It had to be approved by the Department of Education, the field had to be canvassed for students, and the board itself should at some stage be informed, to approve the course. But if the board approved ■ course first, and students were sought, but it was st >- sequently found there was not the demand, and the proposed course lapsed, that was bad business for the Technical Institute, Mr Lyall said. Mr C. H. Russell said that on receipt of inquiries, the principal should have power to seek the approval of the Education Department for a new course, and then make some inquiries about students for it, before reporting back to the board. Giving particulars of the inquiry for a commercial-art course. Mr Lyall said that the headmistress of the Christchurch Girls’ High School (Miss P. Robinson) had written asking if there was any course for girls who. although not wanting to study

art at university level, wanted to take it for a commercial career—in commercial art or interior decoration.

There was at the moment no such course, but a oneyear course in commercial art could perhaps be envisaged, Mr Lyall said.

Trade houses were also supporting, and making inquiry for, evening classes at the institute, Mr Lyall said. He cited an evening course in painting and decorating, which was largely attended by qualified tradesmen, who wanted a refresher course, he said. The number limit was about 15 for such a courser

Further expansion of the institute’s activities is reflected in the board’s decision last evening to advertise new teaching vacancies in science, building, and commerce, and tutorships in painting and decorating, and electronics.