Plan for new Welsh university
Feb 26 2008 by Martin Shipton, Western Mail
A CONTROVERSIAL academic has announced plans to establish his own university in Wales, funded by an oil multi-millionaire living in Florida. [yup FF – see further]
But last night the Assembly Government cast doubts over whether the new institution will be able to award degrees.
Myron Evans, a doctor of chemistry living at Craigcefnparc near Swansea, has issued invitations to a launch event for the Myron Evans University, to be held at Craig-y-Nos Castle, near Ystradgynlais, Powys, in July.
Dr Evans, who holds degrees from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, was at one time a junior research fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, and has lectured in the physics department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
He holds a civil list pension, but has provoked heated debate in scientific circles. He claims to have formulated a “unified field theory” which will revolutionise modern physics, and while he has the strong support of some academics, the theory has been dismissed by others.
In an email from Dr Evans circulated to a wide range of recipients including First Minister Rhodri Morgan and the Western Mail, he stated, “All professorial staff will be tenured, at the full professorial rate of about £65,000 a year, plus pension and benefits ... the university will take graduate students and ... all professors elect and other staff can start recruiting and selecting graduates – that will be part of their duties.
“I also discussed the formation of a new Welsh language university, and I will phone up the Craig-y-Nos staff to see if they are interested in selling. At present it is owned by a hotel chain.
“Shortly the new university will be advertised worldwide for students and post doctorals, and contracts can be offered by email to faculty and staff who have accepted.”
We contacted Dr Evans to ask him how the university, which he plans for a science park in Aberystwyth, would be funded.
He responded, “From a generous oil multi-millionaire who saw our work on www.aias.us [one of Dr Evans’s websites].”
The benefactor, Francesco Fucilla, told the Western Mail in an email, “I was born in Cosenza, Italy. Most of my life worked as a consultant geophysicist (mainly seismic data processing and interpretation) and giving courses for chemists, physicists, mathematicians etc, etc in applied geophysics around the world.
“I am a writer in philosophy and sciences, published many books. I am also an inventor ... and finally an entrepreneur.
“From time to time I also give lectures in political sciences, civil and criminal law and economics.”
When we asked Mr Fucilla, who is head of geophysics at the Institute of Basic Research in Palm Beach, California, how much money he would be putting in to the Myron Evans University, he stated, “The funding of the project at this time is unknown .”
Asked when it was intended to invite students to apply, how much their fees would be, how many staff and students he envisaged, and whether there was a business plan, Mr Fucilla said, “These are issues that would be favourably considered when the business plan has been put together. I understand it’s on its way to us soon, and I would then be in a better position to give details.”[…]
