Into University

Mission To Look

For South Pacific

Britain, Australia and New Zealand in October announced establishment of a joint mission to investigate the higher educa tional needs of the South Pacific area, other than Papua-New

Guinea, where a university is

currently being established.

JPHE mission will particularly in -1 vestigate Fiji as a site for a university or college suitable for the Pacific area. Buildings shortly to be available at Laucala Bay, behind Suva, may be useful for any new plans.

The mission chairman will be Sir Charles Morris, former Vice-Chan cellor of the University of Leeds and at present Vice-Chairman of the Inter University for Higher Education Overseas. Britain is also providing one other member of the mission, Mr. H. M. Collins, Secretary of the Council for Tech nical Education and Training for Overseas Countries, and the mission's secretary, Mr. D. H. Christie, of the Ministry of Overseas Develop ment.

The Australian member of the team is to be Mr. P. W. Hughes, Superintendent of Curriculum Re search and Principal of Hobart Teachers’ College.

New Zealand is to provide Mr.

F. R. G. Aitken, until recently Assistant Director of Education, and, as a consultant, Mr. Blake-Kelly, an assistant Government architect.

The terms of reference are: (a) To investigate the future higher education requirements of the South Pacific area (other than P-NG) in cluding the need for regional post primary teacher training facilities. (b) To recommend the type and level of institutions required to meet these needs and to suggest the best way of relating them to each other. (c) To examine the extent to which the RNZAF station site and instal lation at Laucala Bay, Fiji, could be used or adopted to provide the in stitutions recommended and the costs thereof.

The Australian contribution to the mission will be made under Aus tralia’s newly instituted South Pacific technical assistance programme.. @ See "Swift Moves On South Pacific's First University", p. 27.