"The plan for the future development of the Royal Institute of Science?"
Echegaray did not rush to answer Carlo's question. After carefully thinking and organizing his words, he finally spoke:
"The purpose of His Majesty in creating the Royal Institute of Sciences should be based on Spain's thirst for talent in physics and chemistry."
"The physics and chemistry majors in Spanish universities are not highly valued, which has led to a current shortage of excellent graduates in physics and chemistry in Spain."
"I have three considerations for the future development plan of the Royal Institute of Science."
"First, hire as many excellent professors and experts in physics and chemistry from all over Europe as possible, and use their professional knowledge to cultivate more excellent graduates for us."
"Second, the educational situation in Spain dictates that the future source of students for our school will be limited. I believe the scale of the institute should not be large, at least not until the educational situation in Spain improves."
"I suggest limiting the annual enrollment quota of the Royal Institute of Science to around 400 people. Although the quota of 400 is not large, if we focus on cultivating these 400 people, perhaps the level of graduates from the Royal Institute of Science will be higher compared to ordinary universities."
"And after the educational situation in Spain improves, it will not be too late to gradually increase the annual enrollment number in stages, so that Spain can have more talent."
"The third point is to provide certain subsidies and attention to the students of the institute."
"In fact, it is not just Spain; in many countries and universities, students are forced to drop out because they cannot afford the tuition fees."
"Once such a situation occurs, we are likely to miss a potential physicist or chemist. It would be better to directly provide certain subsidies to the students in the institute and reduce their tuition fees, thus ensuring that talented students can receive better training."
After listening to Echegaray's opinion, Carlo was even more satisfied with appointing him as the dean of the Royal Institute of Science. Universities now are not like future universities, which cover a terrifyingly large area and graduate countless students every year. Current universities are more inclined towards a small scale. The average number of students enrolled by Spanish universities each year is around 200-500, and even throughout the world, there are very few universities that enroll more than a thousand students annually.
Why is Carlo so eager and expectant about cultivating university students? Because a university degree in this era is almost the highest level of education. Not to mention a university degree, even a primary school education is considered educated in Spain, and a secondary school education is a group that factories and companies prioritize hiring. As for university graduates, they generally have no trouble finding jobs. Including Echegaray himself, current university students can choose to stay at the university to serve as professors, continue to engage in research related to their major, or find a higher-paying job, making it very easy to become middle-class.
As for the reason why there are so few university students, in countries with a relatively high level of education, high university tuition fees are the main reason. And for countries with a relatively low level of education, like Spain, in addition to high university tuition fees, another reason is that most of the population is illiterate or only has a primary school education. Can you expect these illiterate and primary school-educated people to apply for university?
The number of students that Echegaray said the Royal Institute of Science will initially enroll, limited to 400, is actually not much different from the 500 that Carlo considered, which is also something Carlo is quite satisfied with. If Echegaray had boasted about enrolling thousands of students, Carlo would have doubted and questioned him. Limiting the enrollment of the Royal Institute of Science to under 500 people is the best choice. For a university that is still under construction, too many students are an additional burden. What Carlo wants are talents in physics and chemistry who graduate from university with rich knowledge reserves and certain practical skills, not just university students with degrees. Having rich knowledge reserves and practical skills is the most important thing. As for a university degree, it is just an added bonus of studying at university.
"Very good." Carlo nodded in satisfaction and said to Echegaray with a smile, "From now on, you are the dean of the Royal Institute of Science. I hope this institute can become the highest institution for science in Spain under your leadership, and a holy land for physics and chemistry talents throughout Europe."
"In the construction of the institute, if there are any funding issues, you can apply to Laurent for more funds. I look forward to the results of the institute's construction, and I also look forward to the heights the Royal Institute of Science can reach under your leadership."
"It is my honor, Your Majesty."
Echegaray stood up and said with an honored and excited expression: "I will definitely not fail your trust. The Royal Institute of Science will become the cradle of Spanish scientists, providing you with a continuous stream of scientific talents."
A pleasant conversation ended just like that. After enjoying a breakfast that was not luxurious but very rich in Carlo's private dining room, Echegaray bid farewell to Carlo and went back to prepare for the construction of the Royal Institute of Science. After all, it is a newly built university, and serving as the dean of the Royal Institute of Science is more difficult than being the president of other universities. However, there are also many benefits. If the task is completed well and Carlo's trust is gained, there will be more rewards for Echegaray.
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Not long after Echegaray left, Prime Minister Prim came to see Carlo to report on the construction of the South Morocco Colony. After the treaty was signed, the Spanish army began to take over all the land south of the Agadir to the Tata line. With the British Government as a witness, the Moroccan government was very sensible. Although it was very painful, it obediently withdrew from these areas and handed over control to the Spanish army and Government.
Now that the Spanish army has successfully taken over this area, it is time to discuss the establishment of the South Morocco Colony and the selection of the colonial governor. Prime Minister Prim still remembered that Carlo had previously intended to let Prim himself recommend candidates for the colonial governor. Coming to report on the work this time was also a way to test Carlo, to see what Carlo's purpose was, so that he could decide his next move.
Carlo was also looking forward to the establishment of the South Morocco Colony. The history of the Spanish Empire, where the sun never set, is long gone. Currently, apart from the two relatively large colonies of Cuba and the Philippines, the remaining Spanish colonies are some small territories. After the South Morocco Colony is established, it means that Carlo has not only prevented the Spanish Government from losing colonies, but has also gained a colony very close to home. Although Agadir in this colony is of a certain scale, the other land is basically uninhabited, but at least it is a colony.
More importantly, the establishment of the South Morocco Colony also means that during Carlo's reign, the focus of Spanish colonial expansion officially came to Africa. In the future, once the situation is stable and there are suitable opportunities, Carlo will consider selling Cuba and the Philippines to other countries in exchange for other benefits.
In fact, according to the current trend of the Spanish situation, there are still nearly 30 years until the Spanish-American War, and Spain has a complete opportunity to develop into a Great Power-level country before the Spanish-American War arrives. As long as Spain had the strength of a Great power, the United States in 1898 would not dare to engage in a full-scale war with Spain.
But if it's just for Cuba, is it necessary to contend with the United States? This is a question worth considering. Cuba can indeed bring positive returns to the Spanish Government, but the problem is that Cubans are not at peace.
Although the population of Cuba is not large, its desire for independence is not much different from that of Catalonia and the Basque. Furthermore, it is separated from Spain by the Atlantic Ocean, but only a few dozen kilometers from the United States mainland.
Instead of having conflicts with the United States over Cuba, it would be better to sell Cuba earlier in exchange for some colonies that can also generate profits, and at the same time, stir up relations between other countries and the United States.
Whether it is sold to the United States or other countries, theoretically speaking, it is not a loss. After all, it is difficult to indigenize the land of Cuba, and Spain can hold it for a day, but may not be able to hold it for a lifetime.
Carlo remembers that in history, before the Spanish-American War broke out, the United States had proposed to the Spanish Government to buy the Cuban colony for 100 million US dollars. But how could the arrogant Spanish Government agree to the United States' request? In the eyes of Europeans, the United States was nothing more than a nouveau riche, and its status as a Great Power was entirely based on its economy and Industry, while its military was terrible.
But the Spanish did not expect that after the Spanish-American War broke out, not only was the Cuba colony worth 100 million gone, but another larger colony, the Philippines, was also gone. Spain's glory completely became a thing of the past. After this war, Spain completely became a second-rate European country and no longer had the qualification to become a Great Power.
Although Spain in this world does not fear the threat of the United States, it is not cost-effective to keep contending with the United States. If the costs of contending with the United States were invested in the scramble for African colonies, it might be possible to gain some colonies that are more cost-effective than the Congo. Morocco does not dare to provoke in the short term, but Guinea and Congo can still be considered.
Carlo has even thought out the decisions for Spain's future development. Use the vast resources of the colonies to build Spain's Industry and economy, and the manufactured industrial products can be transported to Central America and South America for sale. Although most of Spain's colonies in America have been lost, a large number of countries in Central America and South America, including Mexico, still have many Spanish mixed-race populations, and they also speak Spanish. A considerable part of these people maintain closeness with Spain. If economic actions are taken, it should be possible to win over some countries to form a customs union to dump Spanish industrial products.