730 Hiring M.I.Ts Dean (1/2)

There were a total of 6,217 freshmen that year. After half a year of prep courses, they would begin their first school year in early September that year.

Raphael Leif was the seventeenth dean of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who started in 2012. After his retirement, he was recruited by the headhunting company hired by Jiang Chen, paying 4 million US Dollar in annual salary. This was almost twice his previous annual salary. Even compared to the University of Chicago, which gave the highest salary, Jiang Chen's offer was higher by 1 million.

In fact, the proportion of Han in Coro University was 65%. The school board recommended that Jiang Chen headhunt professors from Hua universities. However, after some thoughtful consideration, Jiang Chen vetoed this proposal. Not accounting for identity and ability, the bureaucratized management model of Hua universities wasn't something he wanted to replicate in Xin.

As the first university in Xin, Coro University would serve as a model for future education in Xin. Academic bureaucratization was, by no means, a good phenomenon. After exchanging opinions with scientists such as Lu Yuan and Amos, Jiang Chen ultimately made this decision.

Compared to training a group of highly skilled technicians, Jiang Chen hoped to foster a group of highly innovative scientists.

After Raphael Leif arrived in Xin, Jiang Chen personally greeted him at the airport. Mr. Leif was also flattered by Jiang Chen's attentiveness. Although he had a strong influence in academia, his experience was no way as fabled as the president of Future Group.

The grey-haired old man, dressed in a suit, looked healthier than Jiang Chen imagined.

”I watched your speech at the University of Mun.”

”Did you laugh?” Jiang Chen asked with a smile.

”Please don't be so humble. No one in the field of artificial intelligence has more to say than you. Now there's graphene too - I think the guys at University of Mun were very grateful.” Mr. Leif smiled and shook hands with Jiang Chen.

He paused then continued.

”To be honest, I was ready to retire, but after hearing about potentially leading Coro University, I suddenly felt I could still do it for a few more years. But before I start working, I have one condition - I don't want the school board to interfere too much with my concept of education.”

”Rest reassured. The school board won't interfere with your teaching principles. After you take the position, I'll give you the dean position, and I'll only take the name of the honorary dean. We're only responsible for providing funds, and you're responsible for helping us build an MIT on the Pacific Ocean,” Jiang Chen said with a smile.

Mr. Leif nodded, reassured.

Operating a university was different from operating a business; historical heritage and cultural accumulation couldn't be accomplished overnight. It would be a while before Coro University really became a famous university known throughout the world - it would be at least four years until the first graduates left the campus.

The two talked for a long time, discussing the model of Coro University.

Before they bid farewell, Leif half-jokingly said:

”Oh right, are you interested in teaching at Coro University? I can only give you 100,000 US Dollar in annual salary.”

”Me? I'm afraid I don't have much to teach.” Jiang Chen laughed.

His academic credentials were only completing an undergraduate degree. He knew himself well - he could talk nonsense, but you could forget about asking him to teach lectures. It would be like running the next generation of students.

”No, I think you have a lot of qualities that students can learn from, but you haven't even realized it yourself.” Leif looked at Jiang Chen with a smile. ”Coro University's motto: discover, attempt, change.”

After a brief silence, Jiang Chen said:

”...I'll consider your opinion. But just to be clear, I'll only teach one elective course at most.”