Massey University chancellor Chris Kelly told Rural News that a woman graduate is less of a vet because she has to take time out for marriage and family. The article about practical changes in farming and vet work courses was published last week.
Kelly stated that when he went through vet school it was dominated by men.
"Today it's dominated by woman.
"That's fine, but the problem is one woman graduate is equivalent to two-fifths of a full-time equivalent vet throughout her life because she gets married and has a family, which is normal.
"So, though we're graduating a lot of vets, we're getting a high fallout rate later on."
Kelly said this in relation to the course changes encouraging a more equal gender balance in vets graduating. Currently many men drop out in the first year leaving 75 to 85 per cent women. The article suggested that was because the first year was mainly academic with a focus on chemistry, physics and biology.
"That's because women mature earlier than men, work hard and pass. Whereas men find out about booze and all sorts of crazy things during their first year," Kelly said.
The National Council of Women of New Zealand posted its anger at Kelly's comments to Facebook.
"If anyone is still wondering whether there's a prevalence of outdated and insulting attitudes held against women in scientific fields, check out the recent comments by Massey Uni Chancellor Chris Kelly about changes being made to their veterinary courses. #sexism"
Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway agreed. He was surprised to read the comments considering Kelly had just employed a woman who is a qualified vet to be Massey's next vice-chancellor, Lees-Galloway said.
"This is a shocker from Chris Kelly... Just because Trump won doesn't mean this kind of moronic sexism is suddenly okay again."
Massey University posted an apology to Twitter from Kelly. He stated that he didn't intend to offend anyone.
"I was trying to explain changes Massey University has made over a number of years in the veterinary science programme in response to industry needs, and I also concede that the information was not factual."
