Fijian student to leave

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 3

Fijian student to leave

Parliamentary reporter

A Fijian student, Mr J. Movick, who is international vice-president of the New Zealand University Students’ Association faces deportation, not because of his extramural activities but because he has failed to meet the required scholastic standard. This was confirmed yesterday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Talboys).

"Mr Movick’s character is not in question,” Mr Taiboys said.

The background to the case was that Mr Movick came to New Zealand in 1975 under a New Zealand Government bilateral aid award to study for a degree in law at Victoria University. He recorded a C pass in only one of four units in

1975. At that time, he was reminded of the terms of his award which say that if a student fails to make satisfactory progress or if Lis conduct is unsatisfactory, the award may be terminated.

Mr Movick was given a second chance in 1976 but in that year he failed in all subjects, including three repeated from the previous year.

In February, 1977, the Ministry’s training section advised the Fiji Government that Mr Movick had failed term examinations in 1976 and had been excluded from sitting finals. The Fiji Government responded by recommending the termination of Mr Movick’s award. In March, 1977, the Fiji Government indicated that it would suspend Mr Movick’s bond obligations in Fiji and would guarantee Mr Movick

an educational loan should he need it. In the meantime, Mr Movick had asked for a change of course to a bachelor of arts in political science, and asked the Labour department to allow him to remain in New Zealand as a private student. “In view of the Fiji Government’s waiver and promised support, we decided to give Mr Movick a third chance and thus waived our own requirements that he return home,” Mr Taiboys said.

“Normally, students who have held awards in New Zealand are not allowed to remain in New Zealand after termination of their awards, either as private students or in any other capacity.” Mr Movick’s academic record last year was again poor in that he failed terms in four of five units attempted.