MEDICAL STUDENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23718, 26 July 1940, Page 6

MEDICAL STUDENTS

LIMITING OF NUMBER ONLY 100 IN SECOND YEAR - OTAGO UNIVERSITY DECISION [BY TELEGHAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] DUNEDIX, Thursday Owing to the extraordinary increase • in the numbers of students taking the first year of the medical course at the University'of Otago and in other university courses during the present session, the Otago University Council has found itself compelled to limit tlie number to be admitted to second-year courses at the medical school in March, 1941, to 100. The chancellor," Mr. W. J. Morrell, stated that there were 174 first-year students in the four university col- ' leges. The figure of 100 was the absolute maximum which the medical school could take under the present conditions. . The Minister of Health, in a report to the council, had stated that, in the opinion of the Director-General oi Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, 60 or 70 graduates a year would be sufficient for the Dominion's requirements. The council had accordingly fixed the maximum of 100, Mr. Morrell added, this leaving an ample margin to cover all contingencies. Second-year students who have failed to qualify for admission to the third year, but have been reported as satisfactory by the medical faculty, will have first claim to admission. The remainder will be admitted on the results of the intermediate examination. A pass on the special examination of next February -will give no claim to admission in 1941, unless the total otherwise qualified should fall below 100.