WORLD PLAN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22890, 9 March 1949, Page 6

WORLD PLAN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

courses of higher education in more than 4000 universities throughout the world. That was the conclusion reached by some 300 professors from 33 countries who met at Utrecht at the preparatory conference of university representatives to discuss postwar educational problems. Taking the opportunity for a complete stock-taking of the situation, the professors studied many angles of the subject, and from the balance-sheet of their reports it was found that there are about 5,000,000 students enrolled at the universities of the world.

To the layman it may seem incredible that this number should he doubled by 1960. The professors agreed, however, that what one of their number described as “this world phenomenon which may turn out a riddle” was already dangerously over-taxing university facilities and staff. No doubt there woidd be many more students than at present if the accommodation and tutoring were available. Even New Zealand, very small in population compared with many other countries, is encountering such problems. We share, also, the troubles connected with the world-wide shortage of textbooks, and it is interesting to note that, in addition to longterm planning, the conference of professors discussed more immediate schemes to relieve this particular situation. On the point of traditional free entry to universities there was some cleavage of opinion at the conference. The representatives of the United States and the British Dominions were generally in favour'of an open door and education for the largest number, whereas the majority of the British and Continental delegates expressed a preference for maintaining university standards by the limitation and rigid selection of students. There was complete unanimity, however, on the necessity for non-discrimination on grounds of religion, politics, sex or race. One very important matter, which should have a bearing on 'future world stability and peace, was the emphasis placed on the wisdom of turning attention to every possible method of fostering international understanding. If the higher education can succeed in this aim—as no doubt it will in the course of time—mankind should at last enter a new era of happiness and freedom from fear.