Student Attacks Solution

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32350, 16 July 1970, Page 11

Student Attacks Solution

The suggestion by Professor B, P. Philpott that New Zealand should use its university education to earn overseas funds by charging full fees to private overseas students was a very dangerous one, without precedent in any civilised country, said Mr R. Khan, overseas student officer of the New Zealand University Students’ Association. “This would mean putting the clock back 200 years by continuing a disease that plagues Asia—poverty,” said Mr Khan. “I am sure New Zealanders would not even give serious thought to this suggestion, as to accept it would mean that New Zealanders acknowledged for themselves a universal right they did not acknowledge for others—the right to acquire education irrespective of financial status. “Only last week, the New Zealand Prime Minister (Str Keith Holyoake) was visiting the countries of South-East Asia and telling of this coun-

try’s desire to help the countries of the region. Hardly had the tour concluded, when the University Grants Committee announced that, from next year, New Zealand universities would be restricting the admission of private overseas students. “Hardly had the Prime Minister returned home when Professor Philpott suggested that in future private overseas students pay full fees. These suggestions coming as they do from influential quarters are indeed frightening.” Australian Answer “Australian universities faced a situation similar to that faced by New Zealand at the moment But they did not try to find solution by turning university education into an export commodity. Instead, they expanded their university facilities. from South-East Asia and the Pacific come to New Zealand to acquire education, especially in engineering, medicine and agricultural sciences, because these are the skills that their countries need most To take advantage of one’s crying needs and to suggest turning university education into a fully-fledged commercial venture is the

most unethical solution one could propose. “It is all the more disheartening that a person of Professor Philpott’s eminence and standing in the community should suggest such a course," said Mr Khan. Family Savings “Over the years, hundreds of young men and women have come from different parts of Asia to get education in New Zealand universities and institutes. Only • very insignificant proportion of these were really rich, the bulk of them trying to do their best out of the family savings. On their return, they were making valuable contributions to the development of their own country. “But more Important from Nbw Zealand’s point of view, these men and women were sharing and spreading their appreciation of the New Zealand people and their way of life. “If New Zealand restricted the opportunity oaly to those who can afford to pay full fees, it would mean that New Zealand's future contact with the rest of Asia would be reduced to a handful of rich families and not the people of the region.”