Ormond's "Working Men's College"
During his first four trips to Europe, Ormond visited a number of technical colleges, to examined their methods and practices. He set out to apply the best of these methods and practices to a model for a similar college in Victoria. One result of this was his conviction that a working men's college would serve a very useful purpose, and he intimated that if the government would provide a site he would give £5000 towards the building. He met with no encouragement, and the scheme was temporarily dropped.
In May the question of a Working Men's College was revived. He again offered £5000 and, after some preliminary difficulties had been disposed of, the college was at last opened in June 1887. There were 320 students on the opening night, within 12 months the number had risen to over 1000. The number of students reached nearly 10,000 in 1938. Later known as the Royal Melbourne Technical College and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, it's known today as RMIT University and is one of Australia's largest and leading universities.
Read more about this topic: Francis Ormond
Famous quotes containing the words working, men and/or college:
“Educators are aware that they can reach the youth only by making use of gang spirit and guiding it, not by working against it.”
—Johan Huizinga (1872–1945)
“All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“When first the college rolls receive his name,
The young enthusiast quilts his ease for fame;
Through all his veins the fever of renown
Burns from the strong contagion of the gown;”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)