Chapter 37 Australian National University
September 23, 1900, Sydney.
Just as the wave of celebration and gratitude sweeping through Australia had yet to subside, Arthur seized the momentum and established the first university in Australia—Australian National University.
This was a major institution jointly funded by the Australian government and the royal family: one million and one pounds from the government, and one million pounds from the royal family, with a total investment exceeding two million pounds.
Though newly built, the university occupied a vast area—over two square kilometers, more than 3,000 mu of campus land.
While the school didn't actually require such a large space, Australia's vast land and sparse population meant there was no shortage of territory.
Thus, the extra space was designated for green zones and an artificial lake, improving the campus environment while making practical use of the surplus land.
As the only institution in the near term capable of independently cultivating high-quality talent, Arthur placed great importance on Australian National University. At the first opportunity after its completion, he personally arrived on-site and was to attend the university's inaugural meeting with Minister of Education Richard Noble Chapman.
Fortunately, in this era, expectations for campus infrastructure were not too high. Most of the university buildings were rough, unfinished structures, and only a few specialized laboratories required refined construction—at costs several times higher than standard buildings.
Australian National University.
"Principal, will His Highness and the Minister really be attending our meeting?" asked a slightly stunned linguistics lecturer newly arrived from Europe.
In Europe, even as a senior lecturer in the linguistics department of a university, the highest-ranking official he had ever seen was a Ministry of Education bureaucrat.
Now, after only a few days in Australia, he was to meet both the monarch and the Minister of Education—and attend a meeting with them. It felt surreal.
Hearing the question, the other lecturers from Europe or elsewhere pricked up their ears, eager not to miss a single word from the principal's mouth.
"Of course, Lecturer James. Has His Highness ever gone back on his word? Besides, the meeting is about to begin. You'll see for yourself shortly," said Wilfred Freeman Weinberg with a smile.
With that assurance, the other lecturers stopped asking questions and nodded with natural acceptance.
Though most of them had only arrived in Australia in the past few months, they were already well aware of Arthur's accomplishments.
For a monarch who said what he meant—and did what he said—it was rare to witness any inconsistency.
True to Wilfred Freeman Weinberg's words, only a few minutes later, Arthur entered the campus with Minister Richard. Guided by guards and several lecturers, they arrived at the meeting venue.
The area for the teaching staff and administrators was one of the few places on campus that had actual interior work done. The walls had been coated with smooth cement and a layer of whitewash, giving the space a clean and tidy appearance.
"Your Highness!"
Upon seeing Arthur enter, everyone stood and offered respectful greetings.
Arthur nodded and, without ceremony, sat at the head of the conference table. "Enough with the formalities. Let's begin the meeting."
"Yes, Your Highness," said Principal Wilfred Freeman Weinberg, standing up and replying respectfully before continuing, "Your Highness, Minister, and fellow lecturers, from the moment Australian National University was proposed to now, we've undergone more than three months of construction. Generally, our teaching areas, administrative areas, and dormitories are complete and ready for use. Some of the advanced laboratories, which require greater precision and specific environments, will need another two to three months of work. But overall, we are nearly ready to begin enrolling students, and we should be able to open next month."
In terms of educational infrastructure, Australian National University was already fully functional and ready for use.
The laboratories still under construction were intended for scientists and senior professors being brought in from Europe. Since those specialists had yet to arrive in large numbers, the delay was acceptable.
"Very good, Principal Wilfred Freeman Weinberg. Australian National University will be the most important cradle of talent development in Australia for years to come. I'm very pleased that it has been completed and prepared for operation in such a short time. Now, let's talk about enrollment. How many students do you plan to recruit this year? What are the enrollment quotas for each major?" Arthur nodded with satisfaction before turning to this key topic.
"Your Highness, due to the limited number of faculty at present, we are opening only five majors: Mechanical Engineering, Physical and Chemical Sciences, Architecture, Medical Studies, and Literature. Mechanical and Physical-Chemical Sciences are critical for our industrial development, so each of these two programs should enroll at least 200 students. Architecture and Medical Studies are also areas with major labor shortages due to our growing infrastructure and healthcare sectors, so we propose a minimum of 150 students for each. Finally, Literature—Australia is a multi-ethnic nation composed of locals and immigrants. We urgently need to build a unified cultural identity. Therefore, the Literature department should enroll at least 100 students. Altogether, our first intake should be at least 800 students to meaningfully begin addressing the country's talent gaps," Principal Weinberg proposed.
This was indeed one of Australia's greatest weaknesses. Though rich in land and mineral resources, it was severely lacking in skilled professionals. Every sector of national development required talent in large numbers.
"Approved. I also permit you to increase enrollment as needed beyond the 800 base, but the total should not exceed 1,500," Arthur said decisively.
Arthur appreciated Wilfred Freeman Weinberg's practical and no-nonsense approach. It was exactly the kind of leadership he wanted at this meeting—no empty talk, just results.
(End of Chapter)
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