College explains course change

Press, 28 July 1977, Page 24

College explains course change

The Christchurch Technical Institute Council’s concern about a move to withdraw the Institute of Valuers’ professional examinations from technical institutes has drawn a reply from the Lincoln College Council.

The Institute of Valuers decided several months ago to try to institute a full university degree, and phase out its professional examinations at technical institutes by 1982. Concern about the move was expressed by the Christchurch Technical Institute’s Council on July 11. At a Lincoln College Council meeting recently, the principal (Professor J. D. Stewart) said that the matter had been discussed by the standing committee on relations in tertiary education. Its chairman was the Director-General of Education (Mr W. L. Renwick).

While it was the intention of Lincoln College to co-operate as closely as possible with the technical institutes, the college's position should be made clear, said Professor Stewart.

Lincoln College had been teaching valuation at an advanced level for 40 years, first through the diploma in valuation and farm management, and more recently through the

bachelor of agricultural commerce degree. Some time ago it had become obvious that the distinction between urban and rural qualifications in valuation would have to be removed, and that the over-all educational level of all registered valuers would have to be improved. It seemed obvious that the college should consider widening its role in this field. The structure of comparable degree courses in Britain and North America had been studied by a member of the college staff. Draft degree proposals had been submitted to the education committee of the Valuers’ Institute for consideration. Professor Stewart said that he believed committee members had since discussed with Department of Education officers the phasing-out of the present educational programme by 1982.

The college’s procedures in the matter had been normal, said Professor Stewart. The proposed course had 70 per cent in common with existing courses.

Professor Stewart said that he had recently met the director of the Technical Institute (Mr J. D. Hercus) and the deputy director (Miss J. M. Herbison), and areas of uncertainty had been clarified.