Govt grants $304m to universities

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33987, 30 October 1975, Page 3

Govt grants $304m to universities

(Xew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 29. The Minister of Education (Mr Amos) today, announced increased block grants to the universities] to meet their running expenses for the next four years.

Mr Amos said that the Government had approved the recommendations of the University Grants Committee, and the new block grants would amount to $304,894, over the next four years. “They are a recognition of the important role which the i Government sees for the i universities in our system of tertiary education,” said Mr Amos. The grants provided for ; the growth of rolls, both of i students attending lectures : and in the extramural service provided by Massey University. In addition to the growth i of student numbers, the I grants provide for a number : of important developments I in the university system. I These included a new school of architecture at Victoria University and the expansion of the part played by all the universities in continuing education through • extension work and the reI fresher courses for the professions. “There is also provision ; for the expansion of medical education. Both the medical t schools are going through a period of rapid growth of their undergraduate rolls and both are taking an increasing part in the graduate training of young doctors as specialists,” he said. Mr Amos said that the block grants to the universities to meet their running

costs did not represent the Government’s full commitment to university education over the four years. “In addition to the block grants of more than $304.8m, the Government also expects to spend sloom on the capital programme for new buildings and equipment, and to meet the cost [ of the new standard tertiarybursary an estimated sB3m iwill be required for univer- ' sity students,” said Mr Amos. This represented a total commitment of more than s4Bsm during the next four years at present prices. The block grants would be in-

creased as salaries and wages were adjusted, and] there would be adjustments; to the standard tertiary bur-] jsary. i