CHAPTER 1122: CHAPTER 441 A BORING WORLD_2

Market principles have always dictated that once supply exceeds demand, the value decreases. Furthermore, considering the price differences on both sides, it’s reasonable that computational power is more expensive in the United States.

On the other hand, Qiao Ze’s foundational project research hasn’t asked for any funding. From his perspective, people should never complain about their environment but should find ways to change it.

...

"Everyone, this is already the best collaboration agreement I could secure. Xilin hasn’t even made any other demands; there’s no need for massive research funding. All that’s required is to download a few documents, fill out the forms according to Xilin’s requirements, and upon passing the review, you’ll be granted free access to computational power.

Believe me, even 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue wouldn’t offer you such a favorable collaboration. Moreover, it’s limited to foundational scientific theory collaborations, not involving specific technology. Of course, even if we wanted to delve into that, Xilin isn’t interested.

After all, they have material models and are building the latest lithography machines, among many other things we simply can’t fathom. I believe some of you might have already heard about this with your capabilities. This is the reality.

So, the opportunity is before us. If we decline, I imagine Harvard, MIT, Berkeley... and so on, we’re not the only university in the United States—they would definitely be interested. And Xilin probably wouldn’t care whom they collaborate with."

Roth Dugan rarely attended the board meeting in person.

It’s understandable because, typically in university collaborations, the president can make decisions directly, and the board is more about guiding the larger direction, such as appointing or dismissing the president, deciding the university’s development direction, raising funds... and so on.

But collaborating with Xilin is different. Even the president doesn’t dare to make rash decisions, especially because accountability is involved.

In any case, the ban issued by 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue hasn’t been rescinded, meaning that considerations for collaborating with Xilin have always gone beyond just computational power and economic benefits.

Roth Dugan felt quite despondent.

If his suggestion really gets rejected, this place is somewhere he truly doesn’t want to stay even for a day longer.

If computational power is stingily allocated for solving N-body problems, then what’s the point?

With various thoughts swirling in his mind, he didn’t realize that after he finished speaking, the board remained silent for quite some time. No one supported him, yet no one raised any questions either.

It wasn’t until two or three minutes later that the elder sitting in the chief position broke the silence in the meeting room.

"Robert, do you think Professor Dugan’s proposal is acceptable?"

The board chairman directly asked the president, Robert Deni, though such matters were originally meant for the president to be the final decision-maker.

"Certainly!"

Robert Deni glanced at Roth Dugan, nodded slightly, and continued, "Or perhaps the board could approve at least Fifty Million Dollars in funding to build an additional supercomputing center. However, Fifty Million is just the minimum estimate. Otherwise, the issue of computational power shortage can’t be alleviated, and this will take time and be difficult in the short term.

Besides this option, we can also simultaneously pull out extra funds to support the professors’ projects, ensuring that even if they rent computational power off-campus, they can successfully complete their research."

After saying that, Robert Deni fell silent.

In fact, the lack of computational power for foundational research isn’t an issue unique to Princeton; other Ivy League schools face similar problems. This is even a global issue.

It’s unappealing to capital to engage in long-term investments that show no short-term profit. Even tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are known for being generous with research funding, but they mostly lay out these funds with clear directions for the future.

No one wants to touch projects that lack direct economic returns, with unclear application potential, long return periods, high research costs, and questionable competitive advantage. It’s not that nobody has foresight; the problem is convincing most shareholders and the board with the word ’foresight’ is almost a fantasy story.

Incidentally, all research on foundational theories perfectly fits these descriptions.

For instance, the current theory suggests that the speed of light is indeed slowing down, but the rate of decrease, while fast from a cosmic perspective, is incredibly slow from a human lifespan perspective. Relative to a speed of 300,000 kilometers per second, slowing by 1 millimeter a year means almost no engineering impact for at least a few centuries.

Spending a great deal of money to calculate parameters that won’t be used for centuries is evidently absurd from a capital perspective. Besides, these purely theoretical things, once researched by others, can be directly used.

Coincidentally, many prestigious universities, including Princeton, are private institutions. Although, theoretically, in the United States, these private universities are still classified as non-profit organizations, they still face various financial pressures.

Board members may not directly profit from these endeavors, but they need Princeton’s brand advantage to gain social relationships and influence.

With scientific centers beginning to shift toward Huaxia and Huaxia’s growing influence, as more people become aware of the tuition policies at Xilin University of Technology, complaints about tuition fees at prestigious universities like Princeton have been growing, pushing the board to make more conservative decisions.

Although Princeton’s alumni donations haven’t decreased over the past two years, there hasn’t been a trend of increase either. Yet, inflation continues, so it can be understood that the school’s donations are effectively decreasing.

The current socio-economic environment doesn’t suit significant tuition hikes, so the board naturally needs to proceed more cautiously on large investments.

In simple terms, it’s all about money.

Although the United States is the world’s largest economic power, hardly anyone knows where the money actually goes.

Soon, whispers filled the board meeting, and Robert Deni breathed a sigh of relief.

This is good; the matter successfully moved to a board vote.

Whether the decision passes or not, it’s not much tied to him as the president. Even if he ends up being made a scapegoat, at least he can exit gracefully.

No choice, the pressure from Huaxia on us is increasing. But the higher-ups have had no reaction; previously enacted policies neither outright condemned nor insisted on strict enforcement, which is quite frustrating.

Ultimately, the top leadership should either confront head-on or concede. Just show an attitude and a tendency, and everyone smart enough will know which direction to take for decision-making. The most troubling thing is the current situation—total silence, playing the deaf and dumb...

Progress of the meeting went as Robert Deni expected, with the board chairman’s proposal leading to a board vote.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an on-site vote.

Today was just a small gathering; Princeton’s Board has a total of 36 members, including 20 Charter Trustees, 6 Term Trustees, 8 Alumni Trustees, along with the university president and the Governor of New Jersey, both of whom have voting rights.

Once the agenda was set, the board would naturally send emails to these individuals, and once everyone responded, the final decision could be confirmed.

While this process seems inefficient, it ensures stability and a sure-win.

...

Roth Dugan originally thought it would take at least a week or two to get results.

What he never expected was to receive the outcome just three days later.

The call came from President Robert Deni.

"Professor Dugan, your suggestion has passed the board approval. The board hopes you can take responsibility for moving this matter forward."

The latter half felt somewhat redundant.

In fact, finding someone else to push this forward wasn’t genuinely simple.

Indeed, it’s mainly Qiao Ze’s fault due to his excessively solitary nature; he doesn’t like interacting with people.

"Oh, certainly, Robert, but I’m curious, how did it happen so quickly? To be honest, this efficiency surprises me a little," Roth Dugan expressed his curiosity in a joking tone.

"Mr. Phil casted a favorable vote." Robert Deni provided a direct answer.

Roth Dugan understood instantly.

With the Governor personally casting a favorable vote, it’s understandable why the proposal moved forward so swiftly—there are no fools on the board.