Student Problem

Press, Issue 32345, 10 July 1970, Page 24

Student Problem

(N.Z. Press Association) i WELLINGTON, July 9. New Zealand universities may have to restrict the number of overseas students, the University Grants Committee says in its annual report, tabled in Parliament yesterday by the Minister of Education (Mr Taiboys). In 1965 1063 overseas students attended university in this country. This was 5.2 per cent of the roll of 20,269. By 1969 the number had grown to 1911, or 6.5 per cent of the roll of 29,209.

There were 690 Colombo Plan-sponsored students last year. Most overseas students come to New Zealand at their own expense, and the report predicts a substantial increase in the next two years. “Some of the universities may wish to review their policy on the enrolment of private students from abroad, at least in some faculties,” the committee says. “When they determine their policies on the enrolment of overseas students, the universities may well

be compelled to consider how far they can go in admitting private overseas students if qualified New Zealand candidates have to be refused places.

“The New Zealand taxpayer meets most of the cost of supporting the universities, and it would not be unreasonable for him to insist that, if what he pays for is in short supply, it should be made available to his own children before being offered to overseas students who wish to come here at their own expense without any official sponsorship.”