Chapter 41: University Begins

Translator: 549690339 |

On October 18,1900, the first-ever recruitment exam of the well-publicized Australian National University officially began.

Due to the nature of the talent needed for Australia cultivated by the Australian National University, this recruitment examination is related to the five majors. There are five papers corresponding to each major; candidates will be admitted based on their abilities and not on other considerations.

This method effectively filters out students who have a talent for each major, instead of producing generalists who seem knowledgeable about everything but have not mastered any specific skill, as seen in later generations.

What Australia needs now is talent in specific fields rather than so-called university graduates who have a superficial understanding of everything but practical skills in none.

Arthur did not review the papers prepared by the teachers in collaboration, but he could tell from the candidates’ moods and conversations during the two-day examination that the specialized tests were by no means as simple as they seemed.

Due to the vast number of papers, Arthur urgently mobilized a group of teachers and educated officers to work overtime on grading the papers. Finally, after more than ten days, all the papers were graded, and the results were compiled.

On November 2nd, in Sydney, thousands of candidates gathered anxiously at the entrance of the Australian National University.

Some of them might be excited, while others may be agitated, but all were eagerly looking forward to the entrance of the school.

To them, there’s no dilemma in choosing a major because, after passing the specialized exams, each major will admit them based on their scores.

However, precisely because of this, if they scored well in some majors but were not admitted, it would inevitably show how poorly they had performed in other majors.

Soon, the university’s teachers came out with a bulletin board full of names, placed it in the most conspicuous place at the school gate, and made the following announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Australian National University admission list for each major is here. You can carefully check for your names, but please refrain from making noise or causing any commotion at the entrance. Admitted students will officially enroll in three days. If you didn’t make the list, don’t be discouraged. You can apply again when the next enrollment period begins in September.”

After the teachers briefly introduced the admissions process, they returned to the school, while the eager candidates hurried towards the announce ment board to search for their names.

Time passed quickly, and three days elapsed in the blink of an eye.

The newly admitted students couldn’t wait at the school gate, eager to enter the campus they had dreamed about for so long.

Those who were not admitted left with their heads down on the very same day. After all, Arthur’s offer for free accommodation for the candidates was only valid until the end of the examinations. Those who were not admitted had to pay for their accommodations in Sydney.

Before long, the university gate opened, and amidst the cheers, over 800 new students officially entered the Australian National University campus.

At this time, Arthur stood atop the highest building on campus, looking at these promising young students with a satisfied smile.

All the expenses of these 800 plus university students would be covered by Arthur, including food, lodging, and miscellaneous fees.

As long as a few courses in ideological education were added to the university curriculum, Arthur could guarantee that these students would become his loyal followers and the most devoted members of his team.

One advantage of these young people is their forward-thinking mindset, which allows them to accept and support any of Arthur’s reforms in Australia.

Moreover, the youth tend to be passionate, and their passion can also influence their families and hometowns.

With the graduation of one batch of passionate university students after another, Arthur will have future control over Australia’s grassroots and middle-class elites.

The opening of the new semester cannot be without an opening ceremony. Besides, this is the first opening ceremony for the first batch of students at Australia’s first university.

Arthur attached great importance to this opening ceremony, even deploying the Guards to handle the protocols.

The purpose was to make these newly-enrolled university students full of zeal and dedicate their minds and spirits to serving the country and Arthur.

The opening ceremony commenced with a speech by Arthur. He reviewed Australia’s history from being a colony to becoming an independent country, boasted of his achievements, and reaffirmed his goal of making Australia a great nation.

Then he encouraged these young students and officially announced the establishment of scholarships.

Under these schemes, the newly-enrolled university students could only be at the mercy of others, like brides getting married.

Next came the speeches by the University Principal and Deans of each department, but Arthur had no interest in listening to their endless chatter and left the stage early.

Although Arthur only attended the opening ceremony for less than an hour, the impact was enormous.

All Australians remembered the reforms and policies he had introduced in Australia, especially these 18 and 19-year-old youths. Due to their lack of experience in society, they can easily be influenced by public opinion, forming a blind affinity or malevolence towards a person.

Under the influence of the media controlled by Arthur, he became a perfect monarch and a savior for Australia in the hearts of these young people.

Given Arthur’s encouragement, one can imagine the enthusiasm and impulsiveness that these young university students can unleash.

Precisely because of this, the university’s semi-militarized management was implemented smoothly. Although every day from 7 am to 8 pm, with almost 11 hours dedicated to learning, no student had any complaints, and they all threw themselves into the tide of learning.

In order to make these valuable university students acquire sufficient skills and not only engage in theoretical discussions, Arthur specifically allowed each major to have practical experience once a week, and he required all departments to cooperate with the students’ practice sessions.

For the mechanical engineering and architecture students, this would be a tough task. Since Australia’s industry is still under construction, there is a lot of heavy labor and equipment transportation that needs workers. These somewhat experienced students are perfect candidates.

Although it seemed like they were being treated like laborers, practical experience allowed them to learn a lot, so none of the students opposed this arrangement. In fact, they all looked forward to their weekly hands-on activities.

Arthur was also happy with this arrangement, while the industry sector couldn’t wait for these somewhat skilled students to replace the unskilled workers. And so, the decision was made.