Polytechnic backs grants committee in principle

Press, 12 March 1985, Page 9

Polytechnic backs grants committee in principle

The setting up of a Technical Institute Grants Committee by the Government has won support in principle from the Christchurch Polytechnic Council. The council last evening voted to support the proposal for the committee but expressed a strong belief that much consultation would be needed on its details. Priority should be given to developing a policy initiative and introducing legislation for the committee, the council decided. The committee would be similar in function to the University Grants Committee, said the council’s chairman, Mr P. W. L. Mills. A report of a sub-commit-

tee of the council about the Grants Committee said that an over-all committee was appropriate for the large number of diverse technical institutes that now existed. The subcommittee recommended support in principle for the concept of triennial grants, national conditions of service for staff, and capital works expenditure being decided outside the grant procedure. Department head I An extra head of department for the polytechnic’s department of applied sciences has been approved by the Director-General of Education.

Media studies The polytechnic will again run eight week preentry couses in radio broadcastings in 1985. A review of the initial course last year was judged a success with graduates finding jobs in the radio industry. The polytechnic ran its own radio station, Radio One, as part of the course last year. Building materials Building materials of $30,000 were approved for purchase for building students at the polytechnic to build a three-bedroom

house for eventual sale by tender. Word processor A word processor that can convert English to Japanese and vice versa was approved for purchase. The machine will cost the polytechnic $4950, a 30 per cent discount having been offered by Micro-processor Developments, Ltd. Elm tree

The removal of an elm tree has cost the council $921. The money was charged by the Christchurch City Council because the tree was felled without authority. The money covers the removal of the stump.