Interim Council [New South Wales College of Paramedical Studies]

An Interim Council was created to investigate the needs of a College of Advanced education for the paramedical professions. The establishment of the Interim Council was the result of the work of some years to establish paramedical education on a firm foundation. The Interim Council operated within the framework of Advanced Education and had the support of the Advanced Education Board. That Board had been established under the Higher Education Act, 1969 to, amongst others, make reports and recommendations to the Minister, either of its own motion or at the request of the Minister, with respect to— (i) the establishment of colleges of advanced education; (ii) the approval of courses as advanced education courses; (iii) the fields of studies in which a college of advanced education may offer courses or programmes of studies.

The objective of the Committee was to be able to recommend to the Minister to establish an autonomous college which would become a corporate college under the Higher Education Act. The Interim Council endeavoured to set a target date when it could assume responsibility for the running of courses and acceptance of students, possibly in 1972. The Council had to establish a college structure, staffing establishment and other details to prepare that submission. On 1 July 1973 the New South Wales College of Paramedical Studies formally assumed responsibility for the educational programmes previously conducted by the New South Wales Colleges of Nursing,  Occupational Therapy, School of Orthoptics; School of Physiotherapy, and Speech Therapy Training School. The Interim Council defined the primary role of the College as that of teaching and research within the health care field and took care that the programmes of the professional associations were continued and enriched with new courses to be established. 

The Interim Council held its inaugural meeting on 8 December 1970. It established a number of subcommittees to assist with its work. [Minutes 19 January 1971] These were Objectives Committee, Personnel and Programme Committee, Building Committee and Finance Committee. These Committees were disbanded by [Resolution 26/73] when new committee structure of the Interim Council was approved [Resolution 23/73] on 10 April 1973. The new Committees were: Executive Committee, Education Committee, Personnel Committee, Finance Committee, and Building and Sites Committee (changed to Buildings and Ground Committee 12/6/1973 Res. 37/73).

The Interim Council held its last meeting on 10 September 1974.

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