The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1930. TRAINING IN BUSINESS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1930. TRAINING IN BUSINESS

In the couree of a recent address to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Professor H. Beishuw, of Auckland University, indicated that special courses in commercial training are being considered .as increasingly important in. the . universities of the world. Tliip strongly marked tendency, lie considered, arose from an increasing pressure on the universities from outside .to provide professional training, and from an attempt oy those controlling university policy to 'bring the univeitsity into harmony with the needs of the community which it served. In view of the great importance of economic activity in the life of the community, it was being increasingly lelt that the best educational facilities possible should bo made available to train people for the’ most efficient performance of economic duties. Despite the fact there were utiil a few academic people who regarded it as the proper task of the university “to prepare its students for everything in general and nothing in particular,” Dr Belshav thoughb that, as the great majority of students had to earn their living, the purposes of the university should be adjusted to meet the needs of everyday life. At the . other extreme, some believed that not merely professional training should lie given, but it should be such as to enable the student to amass detailed technique. That tendency was in evidence in the United States. In such elaborately - vocational courses, mental training was frequently negligible, and principles were lost in a maze of facts. That was a mistake. “In the first place,” he said, “it should be noted that the technique of different classes of business is different, and that the sort of information required is not the same in all classep of business. To provide for all is manifestly impossible. In the second place, industry and commerce are changing more rapidly than in any other period in the world’s history, and the technique and ‘facts’ of business are changing with them. What is required is capacity to meet such changes with readiness and judgment. In the third place the detailed technique and necessary ‘factp’ can be acquired with much more rapidity in the business itself. I do, however, hold strongly the view that university education should be in a large measure professional; and that we should provide the student with a training for ‘something in particular,’ which will be lus future vocation.” Such a course should aim at developing habits of mind that were required hi business. It should make for a scientific approach to business problems. It should enlarge the student’s intellectual interests, and make for better '.relations among business men. Some ‘busineqs men were disappointed in the results of university education, largely because they did not understand the aims of that institution What the university claimed to do was to provide a knowledge of principles in the light of which business facts could ho handled, and to train ijubordinates who

were more alert, executives who were more efficient, and business men who were able to take the lead in community affairs. “The fact that J have joecn invited to speak at such a gathering,” concluded Dr Beishaw, “leads me to belieVe that the business men of Auckland are sympathetically interested in the subject of my address. I venture to hope that this interest will continue in the future, and that co-operation 'between the university and the business man will grow- stronger, so. that the university may servo the community more adequately and with ever-increasing wisdom.” The man of the world, it may be said in. closing, will welcome the more' practical side in education being developed. Our New Zealand •system is very costly indeed, a fact which the Brim© Minister has cornmen led upon. More and hotter results are desired for the greater outlay involved, and there is no doubt with the professions becoming crowded, the value of practical training in business affairs .would give helpful results to those concerned in after life when they pass out into the world and have to meet the keener opposition ol to-day, in all walks of life.