Note: This is for the Major Public University milestone. Post 1/?.

BRUSSELS, MARCH 10, 1952.

The Belgian government is currently triumphant. The economy is booming, with Belgium recently surpassing its own ally, the United States of America, in GDPCC, reforms have been implemented in the Congo, and political support is at an all-time high. Prime Minister Buset has classified the early 1950s as one of the ‘golden ages of Belgium.’ Even the content of movies appears to favor the government, while the zeitgeist reflects solidarity and triumph in the face of a new age for capitalism. Due to these beliefs and motivated by the necessity to align their policy with the Socialists at a time of major support, the Liberals have turned towards their old institution, the Free University of Brussels, and decided to meet with the Socialists.

Roger Motz, the President of the Liberals, has met with the Buset Cabinet. His proposal was to ask for Socialist support for ample reforms for the Free University of Brussels (ULB). The large flux of Germans and French during the brief travel ban of France to Eastern European countries and Germany has furthered the belief of the Liberals that Belgium is undergoing a peaceful rise as the center of Europe. To achieve this objective, the country needs to reformulate its tertiary education and make it attractive to other international partners. It needs to turn its largest university into a center of enlightenment and intellectual production.

The Liberals have decided to ask for Socialist support for ample reforms within the University. The overall flux of Germans and French during the brief travel ban of France has furthered the belief that Belgium is to be the peaceful center of a new Europe and, therefore, to achieve this objective, it requires a robust institution to represent its secular ideals. The Socialists have agreed. Liberal politician Roger Motz has decided to present his plan for the university, which includes: 1) The creation of new research and innovation investments; 2) The implementation of a new quality assurance methodology; 3) The development of further infrastructure and campus development; and, 4) A total reorganization of the governance and administration of the university. These are all key points that shall be touched upon by the Belgian government throughout the years. However, the focus in 1952 shall be the first one – the new research and innovation projects.

Innovation and Research Investments

The ULB needs to be at the forefront of several key issues in modern society. These research initiatives must not only be theoretical but must also lead to practical applications for civil society. There is a great necessity for Belgium to lead in technological innovation if it has any desire to maintain its booming economy. This means that Belgium will invest in five key new research areas while avoiding areas that overlap with the Belgian Institute for Industrial Research. These projects, along with their yearly funding, have been disclosed as follows, divided between the Natural Sciences and Humanities:

As can be seen, the investments total US$25.75 million for the natural sciences and US$12.00 million for the humanities. This indicates that ULB aims not to become a specialized university but rather seeks to broaden its influence in Europe by addressing a range of important subjects for the development of Belgium and the European continent as a whole. Furthermore, funding for these projects will come from the Belgian government, with investment opportunities also open to other European states, particularly those within the Benelux bloc.

This investment initiative will seek collaboration with other Belgian universities initially, and diplomatic overtures will be made to the United States of America, the French Republic, the United Kingdom, and the Benelux member states.

In conclusion, there will be support for both faculty and scholars through investments totaling US$2.25 million. This funding will go toward increasing their pay, providing bonuses, addressing any issues that faculty may face, and funding bursary schemes and other research projects that have experienced delays. Both undergraduates and graduates will also have the opportunity to participate in these research initiatives by applying. The ULB will decide, based on their academic performance, whether they are eligible to participate.

SUMMARY

• The Belgian government is implementing new research initiatives and investments in the Free University of Brussels.

• The projects, divided into Humanities and Natural Sciences, include policy studies in European integration and reconstruction and development. It also includes research in nuclear physics, particle physics and molecular biology. These investments have totaled US$37.75 million.

• This is the first step towards further, ample reform in the ULB to turn it into a key university in Western Europe.