ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 June 1943, Page 5

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

FUTURE VALUE FORECAST Wellington, This Day. That the value of electronic devices in the future could not be -over estimated, was one of the many interesting points stressed by Sir John Madsen, 8.E., B.Sc., D.Sc., in a recent address to the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Society of Engineers. He said that the science of electronics and oscillations and the application of that science both to power and electrical communication had advanced tremendously in the last few years. In consequence this country could anticipate a flood of new equipment on the conclusion of hostilities, and engineers should accordingly prepare for its application to New Zealand problems. In his address, Sir John, who holds the chair of electrical engineering and is dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Sydney University, dealt with the subject “Engineering Education,” describing in particular the system evolved at Sydney over a period of years. There the university authorities took the view that research, invistigation and inquiry must be given priority even over engineering professional subjects, he stated. Enginering students Were, therefore, first taught to develop a clear and logical manner of thought. Furthermore, as a basis of future professional work, all students, before applying such sciences as mathematics, physics and chemistry, were required to have a knowledge of certain sections of those sciences, no less thorough than that of physicists themselves. The Commonwealth Government; had established a research fund of i £30,000 a year for six universities. I In addition the New South Wales Gov- | ernment granted 200 fellowships per j annum, each covering a five-year | period of study. The Institute of I Engineers similarly encouraged re- i search by granting prizes for theses, and publishing all reports of original research even if they were but of limited scope. This practical form of assistance had made possible the execution of research work which had proved of considerable value in its application to certain local body and industrial problems.