Part of the University of Otago’s heritage could be lost with the disappearance of German courses, a University of Cambridge professor says.
Following a recent university proposal to slash the languages and cultures department, students and lecturers alike have expressed their disappointment.
The proposed cuts would phase out courses such as German and French in 2025, saving the university $1.2 million and reducing the number of papers offered from 78 to 33.
University of Cambridge Emeritus Prof Roger Paulin, who graduated with a masters in German from Otago University in 1958, said the university had built up a world-class collection of German books since its foundation in 1869, and to see it unused would be a "deep regret".
"The German collection is up to the standard of a middle-sized university library.
"I am very upset at this decision, and feel the university is letting part of its heritage go in making it," he said.
University of Otago humanities pro-vice chancellor Jessica Palmer said the university had not made any final decisions about the German collection.
"I acknowledge the importance and value of our collection of German literature, which is indeed world-class.
"The future of this important collection will be considered carefully," she said.
Emeritus Prof Paulin said cuts to the humanities are not limited to New Zealand, citing similar instances at Cambridge.
"The Government has been pushing Stem [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] subjects for all it is worth. It has put about the story that doing a ‘niche subject’ is a ticket for unemployment."
He said proficiency in language, particularly in German, was an employable skill.
"I made the very obvious point that Germany is the biggest industrial nation of the [European Union]."
