Shand says
No Second Chance

NZSPA Reporter

A Malaysian student, Mr. Sivanandan Karthigasu, has been told to leave New Zealand after spending three years and £2000 attempting to gain a degree in microbiology. He requires one more year to complete the degree.

The Minister of Immigration (the Hon. T. P. Shand) has refused to hear any further submissions on Mr. Karthigasu's case.

Mr. Shand's attitude drew strong criticism from the President of the New Zealand University Students' Association, Mr. Ross Mountain, who said that Mr. Karthigasu should be given a chance to complete his year.

"The Immigration Department requires a higher academic standard from overseas students than is required of New Zealand students," he said.

The Association felt that a board of Professors would be better qualified to assess the academic performance of a student.

"We want students to leave this country as our friends," Mr. Mountain said.

The Citizens' Association for Racial Equality also intends to examine the whole immigration set-up, said its chairman (Mr. Frank Maigh).

Mr. Karthigasu needs three more units to complete his degree. He admits his performance at Auckland University over the last two years has not been the best.

However he has declared his intention to leave the country immediately if he does not obtain his units at Otago this year. "I would bust like a second chance," he said.