28 August 1995 Adult Students Boost University Rolls

Adult students are the growth area for local universities, confirms Lincoln University's Te Pou Hereka (Maori Liaison Officer) Amanda Heath-Munn.

The number of students over the age of 25 made up 40 percent of all New Zealand university students last year and currently for Lincoln University the figure is close to 44 percent of the student population.

Lincoln's Student Allowances Officer, Margaret Wade-Wilson, sees a number of factors behind the changing age pattern of students. These include financial pressure on school­ leavers, the fact that many young people are working for a time to save money, and the fact that others are waiting to become eligible for allowances.

"Also, people who have spent some time in the workforce are beginning to realise that in order to get any further in their careers they need a tertiary qualification," she says.

To inform adults of the opportunities open to them for tertiary education, a special one­ day seminar was held last week by Lincoln, Canterbury and Massey universities. Called "University: what choices do you have?" the seminar was presented at Hagley Community College. It offered impartial information on the three university options available in Canterbury and drew a responsive audience.

Reaction to the seminar was summed up by Bob Buchanan, an adult student at Lincoln who is progressing through a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. He helped with Lincoln's presentation and said it was great to see the universities co­-operating to provide an information service for adults who might be thinking about taking up tertiary education.

"The seminar was a perfect opportunity to get an overview of all the options available and to discover that as an adult student beginning at university you won't be on your own," he said.

"You will be entering along with many, many others who have made the same decision to further their education and qualifications."

In addition to Lincoln's Amanda Heath-Munn, speakers at the seminar included Carolyn Lidgard of Canterbury University and Judy Henderson representing Massey University.

The Community Diary. Produced by The Community Relations Centre, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.