To the Editor of the "Nort-Cuiva Dany News"
Siz,—In answering EE/s query as to whether it is possible to obtain a British degree through a correspondence course it is necessary to dis-"ungüish between diplomas and certificates issued by Who various correspondence schools and colleges and degrees conferred by Universities and professional bodies as a result of actual examination.
"While it must.be conceded that the diploma or certificate of any well-known correspondence school has a certain value, it is only an indication that the student has successfully completed a course of training with the particular college concerned; there is no evidence that the student is able to prove his qualification in the examimation room. Therein lies the difference, and it is entirely wrong to ftem such a diploma, a "British here is no short cut to a British degree and a student must be prepared to undertake a comprehensive course of training before sitting for The necessary examinations. Many of these examinations—especially accountancy, secretarial and commercial—are held in Shanghai and are open to students of either sex and of any nationality, and there is no reason why anyone of average ability and -witha will to work cannot obtain a British Degree in Shanghai, especially in view of the coaching facilities now uvallable locally, Among the British degrees obtainable by examination in Shanghai (or Hongkong) may be mentioned: The London Association of Certified Accountant, and "ihe Corporation of Accountants, Members of these bodies have the right to describe themselves "Certified Accountant" -and "Corporate Accountant" respectively, with the added privilege of (using the Jetiers ALEA. or ACRA, (as the Case may be) after their names. Both these bodies have been incorporated ior over 30 years and have à combined membership.of well over 7,000.
"The degree of either of these bodies la. recognized by Parliament and affords indisputable e of trained ability. It confers a recognized status on the holder and raises him to position where his capabilities are accepted without question, Other professional and commercial bodies, the examinations of which may be held locally aré:—Institution of Certified Public Accountants (A.C.- PA, British Association of Accountants and Auditors (A.B.A.A.), Corporation of Certified Secretaries (A.C. ES.) Faquity of Secretaries (A.F.S.), also the Institute of Bookkeepers, the London Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Commerce and several other Commercial Institutions.
it must be understood that the above institutions and societies are merely the examining bodies and do not train candidates for examination. Tt is the function of the various schools and colleges to provide the facilities for the necessary training in the subjects specified, As regards the best method of training, there can be no doubt that correspondence tuition in Accountancy and Commercial subjects, when given by qualified and experienced tutors, is infinitely superior to any other form of instruction. Nearly all the prize-winners and honours-men at the! accountancy and secretarial examinations during recent years have been trained by this method. i There are a number of reputable colleges in England specializing in correspondence tuition for the various: professional examinations and at Toast one similar college operating in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.