UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16635, 18 January 1922, Page 8

UNIVERSITY SENATE.

•EBSIONS OPENED.

SIR R. BTOUT’S REPORT.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 18. The University Senate opened to-day. Sir R-ohert Stout (Chancellor) m the annual report, reviewed the work of the second Congress of Universities ot the Umpire, whioh ho attended. ■he examinations for 1921 showed a large increase over those of the previous year. In the November exam mat ions there were 3837 candidates against 2892 in the previous year. In the medical, dental, and public health examinations there were 1127 persons examined, as against 779 for the previous year. The number seeking for distinction in various professions was very large. T regret,” says the Chancellor, “.that 1 see few if any of our industrial people availing themselves of university education. Tdo not see why those who ane to be our farmers arid manufacturers and who are engaged in industrial life should not avail themselves of the highest education that can be obtained at the various university collegee. He hoped the colleges would further extend tlieir efforts to arrange for university extension and popular lectures by professors. “so that <ta r higher education might be democratised and the industrial people encouraged to pursue the highest studies, both literary and scientific. ALTERING STUDIES.

** The board of studies held its sitting in the month of November, and the number of amendments suggested in the statutes and the programme of studies, etc., is very large. I do not know' what would be thought of the universities at Homo if their programme of studies and regulations were altered to the extent that ours are lltered or sought to he altered each year. There does not seem to be any finality either in our statutes or in the programme of studies, both of which fceem to get more complicated as the years pass on. After fully considering the matter, 1 fail to see the need for a hoard of studies.” APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPALS. After summarising the report of the committee of the board of studies on the proposed scheme for internal examination pass grade. Sir Robert Stout said he was unable to find a single case in any of the British universities he had visited, or from any of the professors 3r administrators of any British universities, any case in which the teacher was the sale examiner of his students. ‘‘ T have on former occasions expressed the opinion that our university colleges should have a principal. Efficient administration of colleges, in my opinion, requires such an officer, and 1 am glad to learn that the Canterbury University C’ollege h is made such an appointment. Senate should consider whether statutory powet should not be given to the Senate to appoint a principal. The work of the university has greatly increased, and a principal might be of great advantage, especially during the recess.”