The Canberra University College and the formation of the Australian National University

The forerunner to the ANU was the Canberra University College (CUC), which was established in 1929 to cater for the demand for undergraduate tertiary education in the growing capital. The CUC initially operated out of the Telopea Park School premises after hours. The school had opened in 1923 in the inner-south suburb of Barton. 

The CUC was initially chaired by Sir Robert Garran and affiliated with the University of Melbourne. The first students commenced in 1930. Initial enrolments were 65 students, who were almost exclusively enrolled part-time. In its early years the CUC employed two full-time and ten part-time staff, with courses offered in botany, chemistry, classics, economics, English, geology, history, law, mathematics, modern languages, oriental studies, Pacific studies, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, statistics and zoology.      

However, there was an educational gap in the new capital that the CUC couldn’t fill, particularly while operating out of shared premises with largely part-time staff and students and offering limited courses. Additionally, there was no local institution catering for postgraduate study or academic research. The Department of Post-War Reconstruction under Herbert Cole ‘Nugget’ Coombs investigated how to stop the ‘brain drain’ of Australian academics and scientists overseas and the answer primarily lay in the establishment of a new federally funded university to rival other institutions around the world. In August 1946 the Australian National University Act 1946 was passed, establishing the ANU as the only Australian university instituted by a Commonwealth Act of Parliament.

References

Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants 2012, ANU Heritage Study: Acton Campus. Volume 1: Heritage Study, https://services.anu.edu.au/files/document-collection/Volume_1_of_the_ANU_Acton_Campus_Heritage_Study.compressed.pdf

Dexter, D 1991, The ANU Campus, Australian National University Press, Canberra. 

Banks, J & Gaardboe, M 1996, Building and Landscapes: the Australian National University, Canberra, ANU Divisions of Facilities and Services and Public Affairs, Canberra.