Avatar:Ba Sing Se University

<infobox theme-source="nation"> <image source="image" /> <title source="name"><default>Ba Sing Se University</default></title> <group> <header>Physical information</header> <label>Location</label> </group> <group> <header>Government</header> <label>Position</label> <label>Capital</label> <label>Form of government</label> <label>Head of state</label> <label>Religious authority</label> <label>Currency</label> <label>Ruler</label> <label>Owner</label> <label>Leader</label> <label>Administrator</label> <label>First appearance</label> <label>Last appearance</label> </group> <group> <header>Location on map</header> </group> <header></header> </infobox> Ba Sing Se University is a major institution of higher learning that educates scholars throughout the Earth Kingdom, as well as exchange students from other nations, such as Maliq of the Northern Water Tribe. Located in the Grove District, the university campus is a major landmark in the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se and, according to its enrollment materials, is the greatest university in the world.

History

Era of Kyoshi

In 296 BG, the zoology department at Ba Sing Se University was headed by Professor Shaw, who procured a collection of shirshus for the university during an expedition. The professor was written to by Hei-Ran requesting to borrow the animals from the department, ostensibly to be displayed in the Fire Nation as part of a goodwill tour between the two nations, though in reality to track an escaped Avatar Kyoshi. Included with the letter was an expensive painting of the northern lights on vellum owned by Jianzhu, intended to "butter [the professor] up".

Hundred Year War

The university, once a great repository of knowledge for the citizens of Ba Sing Se, saw its academic offerings become somewhat tainted after Long Feng's ascent to the post of Grand Secretariat, especially in the areas of current events and political science. Anyone interested in researching the history or relics of the Air Nomads had to keep their interests private, because it was difficult to mention the Air Nomads without speaking of their demise, and all mentions of the war were censored by the government. Professor Ko of the university was interested in obtaining Air Nomad relics to preserve the history of the lost nation, but kept such motivations entirely secret.

Despite the negative effects of political repression, it continued to be regarded as a major school of engineering, architecture, and science. The head zoologists at the university were charged with going out and fetching rare creatures for Earth King Kuei's private menagerie, including a mate for Bosco, although one was never found. During this time, Professor Zei held the position of head of anthropology and taught a class on desert cultures.

In spring 100 AG, Team Avatar visited the university, chaperoned by Joo Dee, while attempting to find a kidnapped Appa. The group questioned a student there, asking him if he had seen any sandbenders or nomads in the city, but the young scholar replied in the negative. However, after Sokka questioned him about the Hundred Year War with the Fire Nation, the student became nervous and, at Joo Dee's subtle direction, dodged the question before claiming he was late for class. With their questions unanswered, the team subsequently left the campus.

Soon after, Jin was sent as a deliverywoman to covertly bring a smuggled package onto university grounds, delivering it for the Silver Fangs to Professor Om of the Library of Medical Studies. Afterward, Jin accidentally ran into her old friend Suyin Wen, who was accompanying a family on the campus as part of her work as a Cultural Ambassador. To Jin's confusion, Suyin did not recognize her due to having been brainwashed by the Dai Li. After being threatened by Suyin's assigned guard, Jin hurriedly left the campus.

Later history

After the war, one former university professor came out of retirement to become the first dean of Republic City University. As a result of this, many of Republic City University's policies were partially modeled on Earth Kingdom policies, although they were later adapted to fit the cosmopolitan capital of the United Republic.

Layout

By 100 AG, Ba Sing Se University encompassed a large campus in the Middle Ring's Grove District, which was also known as the "academic district" due to it being dominated by several educational institutes. The university was surrounded by a wall whose gates were controlled by guards, and was usually only accessible with the correct tokens. The campus included the famous Kim Astrology Tower and the two-acre Mung-Yi Research Koi Pond. The koi pond was surrounded by various gardens and pavilions as well as a rock sculpture which included a small waterfall. There was also the Library of Medical Studies, located in a tower that was a bit smaller than the Kim Astrology Tower.

Student apartments are mainly located in the Grove District, either on the campus or close to the university.

Degrees

Ba Sing Se University offers many degrees and classes, such as engineering, architecture, science, anthropology, zoology, astrology, medicine, and archaeology.

Notable figures

Professors

• Ko, secretly interested in preserving Air Nomad relics by the 90s AG
• Om, member of the Medicine Department
• Shaw, head of the Zoology Department in 296 BG
• Zei, head of the Anthropology Department in 100 AG

Students

• Ba Sing Se University student
• Jing
• Malina
• Maliq
• Wen

See also

• Ba Sing Se
• Earth Kingdom
• Education in the World of Avatar
• Organizations in the World of Avatar