Australian National University

September 23, 1900, Sydney.

As the wave of celebration and gratitude across Australia had yet to subside, Arthur struck while the iron was hot, establishing the first university in Australia, the Australian National University, in Sydney.

This institution was jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Royal Family, with the government investing one million and one Pound Sterling, and the Royal Family investing one million Pound Sterling, totaling over two million Pound Sterling for this large-scale higher education facility.

Although it had only just been completed, the Australian National University occupied a considerable area, exceeding two square kilometers, a campus spanning over three thousand mu.

While the school didn't actually need such a vast space, Australia, with its vast land and sparse population, certainly wasn't lacking in land area.

Therefore, the excess space was designated as green areas and an artificial lake, serving to improve the campus environment and make good use of the surplus land.

As the sole cradle capable of independently cultivating high-quality talent in Australia for the foreseeable future, Arthur placed great importance on the Australian National University. He personally visited the site immediately upon its completion and was set to attend the first meeting of the Australian university alongside the Minister of Education, Richard Noble Chapman.

Thanks to the era's low demands for campus environments, the majority of the Australian National University's campus consisted of simple, unfinished buildings. Only the more precise laboratories required extensive finishing, and their construction costs were generally several times, or even dozens of times, that of ordinary buildings.

Australian National University.

"Mr. President, will His Highness and the Minister truly attend our meeting?" a lecturer from the language department, who had traveled all the way from Europe, asked with a hint of surprise.

In Europe, even as a senior lecturer in the language department at a university, the highest-ranking official he had ever met was a Ministry of Education official from various countries.

He never imagined that after only a few days in Australia, he would be able to meet the monarch of Australia and the Minister of Education, and even participate in a meeting with them. It was simply incredible.

Hearing their colleague's question, other teachers hired from Europe and elsewhere perked up their ears, afraid of missing even a single word from the principal.

"Of course, Lecturer James. Would His Highness ever lie? Besides, the meeting is about to begin, won't you know soon enough?" Wilfred Freeman Weinberg said with a smile.

Hearing Wilfred Freeman Weinberg's words, the other lecturers didn't ask further questions and nodded in agreement.

Although most of them had only arrived in Australia in the past few months, they were largely aware of Arthur's actions in Australia.

For a monarch who always followed through on his word, breaking a promise was very rare.

And indeed, as Wilfred Freeman Weinberg had said, in less than a few minutes, Arthur arrived on campus with the Minister of Education, Richard, and under the guidance of several guards and lecturers, proceeded to the meeting area where everyone was gathered.

The area for teachers and school leaders was one of the few renovated parts of the school. The walls were coated with a layer of smooth cement, followed by a layer of lime, making it look clean and tidy.

"Your Highness!"

Seeing Arthur enter, everyone stood up and bowed.

Arthur nodded, unceremoniously took the head seat at the conference table, and then instructed, "Alright, let's not waste time. The meeting begins!"

"Yes, Your Highness." Principal Wilfred Freeman Weinberg stepped forward, responded respectfully, and then continued, "Your Highness, Minister, and all lecturers. The Australian National University has undergone a construction period of over three months since its inception. In general, our teaching, office, and dormitory areas have been basically completed and can be put into use. However, some advanced laboratories requiring precision and specific environmental conditions may need another two to three months of construction before they can be utilized. But overall, the Australian National University will soon be able to begin admissions and officially open its doors within the next month."

Judging solely by the educational nature of the university, the current configuration of the Australian National University was more than sufficient for its operational needs.

As for the laboratories still under construction, they were intended for scientists and senior professors attracted from Europe. Since the number of scientists and professors was not yet large, a slight delay was not a major issue.

"Very good, Principal Wilfred Freeman Weinberg. The Australian National University will be the most important cradle for cultivating talent in Australia for years to come. I am very pleased that it can be built and put into use in such a short period. Let's discuss your admissions. How many students does the Australian National University plan to admit this year, and what are the enrollment limits for each major?" Arthur asked, nodding with satisfaction before posing the crucial question about admissions.

"Your Highness, due to our limited number of teachers, our school currently offers only five majors: Mechanical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Architecture, Medical, and Literature. Among these, Mechanical Engineering and Physical Chemistry are particularly important for our industrial development, so the enrollment for these two majors should be at least 200 students each. Architecture and Medical are also fields with significant gaps in our national infrastructure and healthcare development, so the recruitment for these two areas should not be too low, at least 150 students each. Finally, for Literature, Australia is a multi-ethnic nation composed of native-born citizens and immigrants. We urgently need to cultivate a unified culture among Australians. Therefore, the Literature major should recruit at least 100 students. Based on this, our first batch of admissions should be at least 800 students to help fill the national talent deficit after they graduate," Wilfred Freeman Weinberg suggested.

This was precisely Australia's weakness. Despite possessing abundant mineral resources and land, Australia suffered from a severe talent shortage, with all sectors of national development requiring a large number of skilled individuals.

"I approve, and I permit you to increase the number beyond 800 based on circumstances, but it is best not to exceed 1500," Arthur said without hesitation.

Arthur greatly appreciated Wilfred Freeman Weinberg's pragmatic approach and recognized the need for such no-nonsense, results-oriented individuals in meetings.

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