Criticises ’Varsity Entrance Standard

Northern Advocate, 15 January 1948, Page 5

Criticises ’Varsity Entrance Standard

DUNEDIN, Thu. (P.A.)—Concern at what appeared to be the drifting standard of university entrance qualifications, particularly in the spelling and writi/ig of English, was expressed by the Chancellor of the University of New Zealand (Sir David Smith) in an address to the Senate at the University of Otago this morning. Examiners’ reports criticising those aspects of entrance scholarship were quoted by Sir David, together with a statistical analysis supporting the complaint. “The goal,” said Sir David, “is an entrance standard which will assist the University of New Zealand to take a distinctive place for learning and research among the universities of the Western world. MUST ATTRACT BEST “It must, at the same time, adequately equip the professions of this country with men and women who are not only skilled in their special field, but who are wise as citizens.” Sir David discussed the organisation of science, stressing the need . for offering salaries such as" would attract and hold the best scientific brains available. He also spoke of the affection which other members of the family of the University of New Zealand felt towards the University of Otago, “their eldest sister,” especially in the province’s centennial year.