ANU is negotiating with the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation to provide a new bachelor degree. Former prime minister John Howard, who chairs the centre’s board says it is also “reflecting” on expressions of interest from a range of NSW institutions interested in partnering to also provide a bachelor qualification on the study of western civilisation. Mr Howard added all NSW universities that expressed interest in offering a new degree are still being considered.

ANU says a western civ programme, will “add to the university’s suite of undergraduate programmes that include European studies, Arab and Islamic studies, Asian and Pacific studies along with courses in Australian indigenous studies.”

The university bid team is led by arts and social sciences dean, historian Rae Frances.

The Ramsay Centre is funded by a bequest from healthcare and media entrepreneur the late Paul Ramsay and will fund up to 30 scholarships a year at each university offering a degree in western civ. “The degree is intended to promote a deeper appreciation of the manner in which the legacy of western civilisation, in all its aspects, has shaped the successful nation that Australia is today.”

With an endowment said to be up to $30m a year the centre, will also offer “in due course” postgraduate scholarships at  “prestigious international institutions,” hold summer schools and support public lectures.