The Common Roo
Page 76
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By George Wilmot MLecturer in Transport Studies, University of London
EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN TRANSPORT The Work of the Universities—II
'THE only university award in transport is the London Certificate I in Transport Studies organized since 1959 through the University's extra-mural department. Unlike last week's catalogue of university concentration on the post-graduate field of traffic engineering, this certificate course is concerned with the problems of transport operation and management and seeks to highlight the importance of transport in the fields of economic and national planning.
The course, which follows a three-year pattern, involving study on one night a week with an examination each year, has shown a remarkable growth from a modest start with 70 students seven years ago. Currently, 340 students are taking the certificate and these were accepted from a total application of 435. Road transport, remembering the course attracts planners, civil servants and some unconnected with transport, is well represented and accounts for a third of the enrolment.
The work will advance a further stage next October when a Diploma in Transport Studies is inaugurated, a fourth year course centred on a piece of transport research to be performed by each student under individual tuition. Much of the succesi of the work has been based on individual attention to students by the lecturers who supervise reading, written work and other forms of study. The flexibility of approach with specialist guest lecturers, visits as an integral part of the course, and short courses on particular aspects running parallel with the main courses are all solid advantages.
Part-time students always feel removed from the main stream, but those studying for the certificate have been grateful for the work of the University Transport Studies Society (composed of students and staff taking the course) for providing the cement to bind them together and for furnishing opportunities of furthering their work.
Whilst this work probably constitutes the most important university contribution in transport teaching, there are intractable snags. It is a part-time course and available only to students who can attend classes in central London—other areas come under the aegis of the University in its region. In spite of the dedicated work of the part-time lecturers, no further expansion is really possible with only one organizing lecturer. The syllabus has tended to be myopic in relation to the British Isles and its scope needs widening while the work has little linkage with the provision of other bodies. Both these matters are slowly being considered, but shortage of staff and facilities is a critical hindrance to speedy progress.
The picture of University extra-mural transport provision outside Central London presents a dismal picture. Theoretically, university adult education is well geared to provide a good deal of this work, but the old bogy of the lack of full-time staff arises again. Southampton apart, there are no full-time staff with a transport specialism.
Southampton University does organize a number of transport courses which still have to be co-ordinated into a progressive course of study leading to an award over a number of years. Elsewhere the pattern is one of sporadic courses—some ofgreatvaluebut with little related follow-up. Universities have a long way to go along the road of transport education.