Grad. Students Through the Hoop

by Gyles Beckford

The Standard Tertiary Bursary was finally introduced this year despite the efforts of the government.

One group of students that were not included in the STB were Ph.D students. In the past these students have been eligible for competitive post-graduate scholarships offered by the University Grants Committee.

However, the scholarships have never catered for all Ph.D students and while the number of students in this area have increased rapidly over the past few years (there are about 130 PhD students registered at Victoria) the number of scholarships has not increased.

It has always been a fallacy that PhD students were on the pig's back, and were certainly better off than their undergraduate counterparts.

A survey at Victoria last year showed that a great proportion of Ph.D students were actually living on as little income as $1500 per year.

The problem is aggravated since PhD students have never been able to get well paid vacation jobs since they are expected to be engaged in full time research.

Last year a committee was formed by the University grants committee to look into the plight of Ph.D students and study awards.

The committee after an extensive nation wide survey recommended to the UGC that Ph.D students who are not otherwise eligible for postgraduate awards should receive the STB.

Although this proposal was strongly, supported by the universities and NZUSA the UGC was opposed to it. The government has said that it will not introduce any new bursary measures until it has totally reviewed all student bursaries.

There have been meetings of graduate students on other campuses and these have led to the formation of graduate student associations so that they can better protect their interests.

There will be a meeting this Monday, April 26 in the Lounge and Smoking Room at 12 noon for all graduate students to discuss these matters. Any graduate student who are not able to come to the meeting and would like further information or have suggestions and ideas that they would like to put forward can see Lindy Cassidy or Byles Beckford at the Students Ass. office.