Bradford charade
From Dr F. H. Hansford-Miller
Sir: At a time when soldiers and civilians are being killed in Northern Ireland, and on the morrow of an historic decision by Parliament to join the Common Market, I wonder if I am alone in being a little sickened by the playacting at Bradford University, in which the politician Chancellor, H. Wilson, awarded the politician, E. Heath, a doctorate degree in a subject, technology, about which the recipient frankly admitted he knows nothing. One would think all concerned had other more pressing things to do.
The universities enjoy nothing more than this kind of charade. A good time was had by all. But is this what universities are really for? Would they not be better employed in putting their own houses in order so that the genuine student who seeks a doctorate based on long and serious scholarship gets a fair deal? At present this is not so. Many injustices occur. But once a decision is made by examiners, who may be unqualified or wrongly appointed for the particular thesis presented, this decision is final. Unlike even a criminal on a murder charge there Is no right of appeal.
If the Prime Minister gave a little of the time he gave to amusing the academics at Bradford to righting this serious injustice, of which he has been fully informed by myself and others, he would not only blow some much-needed fresh air into our stultified university World, but be enabled to wear his own doctorate robes in future with true distinction.
F. H. Hansford:Miller 76 Lock Chase, Blackheath, London SE3
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