December 14, 2023 – Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, as reported by Bloomberg and The Austin American-Statesman, has relocated to the state of Texas in recent years and has ambitious plans to establish a university in Austin through his charitable organization, “The Foundation.”
According to tax documents filed by “The Foundation,” Musk has made a substantial donation of $100 million (approximately 7.16 billion Chinese yuan) to create a new educational institution. Initially, the focus will be on establishing a K-12 school with a strong emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Based on a tax-exempt status application obtained by Bloomberg, the school intends to expand its operations after the initial phase and ultimately evolve into a high-quality university specializing in mathematics, science, engineering, physics, and practical learning.
STEM education, which encompasses multiple interdisciplinary fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, aims to foster creativity and hands-on skills in students.
The school’s initial plan includes offering tuition-free education during its early years, but it is expected to charge fees for elementary, middle, and high school, as well as university-level courses in the future. Scholarships based on individual needs are also anticipated to be awarded to admitted students.
The application documents do not mention the school’s name, but according to The Austin American-Statesman, it is expected to primarily serve students in Austin and the surrounding areas. Additionally, the institution intends to leverage remote education technologies to provide STEM-focused and other thematic courses. The school will offer a blend of traditional education methods and practical learning experiences, including simulations, case studies, manufacturing/design projects, and laboratory work.
Regarding its scale, the application documents indicate that Musk’s school aims to initially admit 50 students and hopes to hire an executive director, teachers, and administrative staff to facilitate its operations.
