The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 441: Preparing for the Establishment of Nanyang University

What is even more surprising is that after Zhang Chi’s public speech, local Chinese communities in Ipoh, Penang, Malacca, Singapore and Hotep also began to take quick and spontaneous action.

Even though this land had just been liberated and the Japanese had been driven away not long ago, the land was devastated and production had not yet resumed.

But running education and setting up schools has become a consensus among local people.

Led by the Singapore Fujian Association, dozens of local associations raised funds. In addition to wealthy businessmen, countless workers, citizens, rickshaw drivers, dancers and other grassroots people from various industries actively donated.

From wealthy businessmen to peddlers, in addition to subscribing to educational bonds, a total of 350 million US dollars were raised. Led by Boss Chen, a construction plan was submitted to Zhang Chi - the draft of Nanyang University.

Inside the office, Zhang Chi couldn't help but sigh inwardly as he looked at the old man in front of him, whose face was flushed and who seemed to have suddenly become ten years younger and full of energy.

It is true that having goals and hope can make people young.

"Boss Chen, please have some tea."

After personally pouring tea for Boss Chen, Zhang Chi began to look through the construction plan.

The Nanyang University was planned to cover an area of ​​100 acres, and initially it was planned to have three colleges: engineering, medicine, and teacher training.

Even the preliminary school emblem has been designed: a unicorn with its head held high and glaring towards the east, its feet on the waves and the morning light on its back.

It's obvious that this was planned in advance.

Boss Chen picked up the teacup, skimmed off the foam, took a sip, and then took the initiative to speak:

"Back then, the old bastards at the Colonial Governor's Office not only didn't support our Chinese education, they also severely suppressed it. Local Chinese education in Malaysia and Singapore was entirely up to us old guys to support on our own."

"The money issue is easy to solve. John doesn't grant land, and he doesn't provide certification. We can only guarantee local education from elementary school to middle school. After graduating from middle school, those young people either go north to study in universities in the Republic of China or study abroad in Western countries. They don't even have the opportunity to go to university right here at home. I feel so sorry for them."

At that time, the only university on the Malay Peninsula was the University of Malaya, which was formed by the merger of King Edward VII's College of Medicine and Raffles College of Arts. It was controlled by the colonial government and taught in the Anglo-Saxon language.

Although the school was recognized by the United Kingdom and joined the John Federal University Alliance, its faculty was limited and Chinese was not used as the medium of instruction. It was mainly for the descendants of local white officials and businessmen in the colony, as well as their "traitors", to be trained to become future colonial civil servants.

Therefore, local Chinese have long been looking forward to having a real Chinese university.

Putting aside the construction plan, Zhang Chi said to Boss Chen with admiration: "You are single-handedly supporting local education. Boss Chen is a man of high moral character. I admire you."

Boss Chen waved his hand and said, "I'm just the leader. How can I take all the credit for myself? This is all due to everyone's hard work."

After saying that, Boss Chen looked at Zhang Chi with a sharp gaze and asked expectantly, "What do you think of this school construction plan?"

"Very good, I think it's okay!" Zhang Chi clapped his hands.

Even though this Nanyang University would most likely compete with his Nanhua University for the already weak faculty and students in this era, seeing the desire in the old man's eyes, how could he bear to refuse?

In the timeline before he traveled through time, the local Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia were also preparing to build Nanyang University after World War II.

However, in order to suppress the Chinese, colonist John did not allow them to use their own funds to set up a university. So in the end, they had to register the university not in the name of a school, but instead registered a weird "Nanyang University Limited".

The establishment of this university can be said to have suffered a lot of grievances. In the days that followed, due to political changes, its academic certification issues recurred many times, until it was finally merged into Sin Chew University, which taught in the Angsa language, in the 80s.

This school, which served all the Chinese in Nanyang and taught in Chinese, ended up like this.

And now, Zhang Chi, the time traveler, will naturally not let history repeat itself.

"Boss Chen, if you have any difficulties, please feel free to ask."

Boss Chen laughed heartily and stroked his beard: "Well, I'll be taking advantage of my age today and won't be polite."

Zhang Chi smiled slightly and pretended to listen.

"First, there's the land issue. As you can see, the planned area is one hundred acres. The three colleges of engineering, medicine, and teacher training, plus supporting buildings, playgrounds, cafeterias, and dormitories, don't ask for too much, right?"

Zhang Chi did some calculations and realized that it was only the size of more than ten football fields in later generations, one-third the size of the Bird's Nest, and almost the size of the Forbidden City. It was incomparable to the university campuses in later generations that often occupied thousands of acres.

So he said directly: "Not much, even a little."

"But we only raised $350 million, and the land price...?"

Zhang Chi was silent for a moment, then took out a map of Lion City and said, "Hahaha, how difficult is that?"

He picked up a pencil and randomly drew a circle on the map. "Here in Bukit Timah, west of the city, there's a large area of ​​open space and forest. The land titles were originally held by John's colonial government, but now they're held by the Provisional Municipal Administration Committee. I'm making the decision today to grant these 200-plus acres of land to Nanyang University, free of charge!"

Of course, the land in Lion City at that time was not as valuable as it was in later generations, but Zhang Chi's behavior was undoubtedly quite arrogant, so arrogant that even someone like Boss Chen, who had seen many ups and downs, was a little surprised.

Boss Chen stroked his beard and said with a smile, "That's great! We'll even have room for the future expansion of the business school and law school."

Zhang Chi's expression changed and he said seriously:

“However, we must first establish three rules.

Nanyang University only has the right to use this land, not the ownership. I can guarantee that Nanyang University can use this land unconditionally within 30 years, but this land can only be used to build a school, and the school cannot use it for any other purpose to make a profit.

And although Nanyang University is a self-funded private school, it is still under the leadership of the Ministry of Education. Nanyang University can manage itself, but it is subject to public supervision.

Boss Chen narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then said, "Okay, I'll accept this condition on their behalf. Is that all I have to say?"

"It's hard to chase a horse!"

-----

Soon, the news of the preparations for the establishment of Nanyang University appeared in major newspapers.

Countless young people in Singapore and Malaysia excitedly took to the streets, holding up flags and cheering.

"We deserve our own university!"

In order to return the favor, the Nanyang University Preparatory Committee even asked Zhang Chi to write the name of the school.

The school motto was decided after a popular vote: "Self-reliance, erudition, serving the people, and establishing the nation."

In response to this, Zhang Chi wrote an article and published it in the newspaper, proposing that Nanyang University should pilot a system of public-private partnership and practical learning, deemphasizing diplomaism and encouraging the combination of practical technology and grassroots construction services.

Build a university that benefits all people.