The opportunity to get a higher education appeared in the eighth century in Tunisia. The oldest university in the world is the higher institution of al-Zaytuna. Having gone an extremely long way, the university still operates today. Also, the list of the oldest universities includes higher education institutions that originated in Italy, Morocco, Cairo.
Oldest universities dating from 732 to 1088
The oldest universities in the world can be called dozens of educational institutions that originated before the fifteenth century. The top five of them are:
- Al-Zaytuna University. This educational institution appeared in 732. Thus, it can be safely called the first in the world. Exists to this day in Tunisia.
- Constantinople University. Appeared in 855 or 856. The basis for its creation was an earlier school, formed back in the time of Theodosius II. Most often in historical sources it is called Magnavra Higher School.
- Al-Karaween Institute. A Moroccan institution of higher education, founded in 859 by the rich merchant Fatima al-Fihri.
- Al-Azhar University is a university distinguished not only by a long period of existence, but also by its prestige. It was founded by representatives of the Fatimids in 970.
- The University of Bologna is the oldest university in Europe that has been operating continuously since its foundation. It was founded in 1088 and is the main competitor of the Islamic Al-Qarawiyn.
Al-Zaytuna Higher Educational Institution
The oldest university in the world, still active today. For a long period of time, he worked in the format of a religious school belonging to the al-Zaytuna mosque. After some time, the school took center stage in the Islamic religion.
The emergence of a modern format university happened not so long ago - in 1956. The prerequisite for this event was the complete independence of Tunisia. Five years later, al-Zaytuna University underwent another change. It was turned into the theological faculty of the University of Tunisia. As a result, the metropolitan university completely absorbed the oldest university. The revival and actualization of the former al-Zaytoun University took place in 2012. Now it successfully exists along with other universities in Tunisia.
Over the entire period of its existence, this educational institution has produced many famous personalities. Among them are the Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun and the Tunisian poet Abu-l-Qasim al-Shabbi.
Constantinople University
Before the formation of this higher school, medicine, law, rhetoric and philosophy were taught here. The first rector of the higher school was one of the founders and famous scientist Lev Mathematician. The university was located on the territory of the Mangavrsky Palace, hence its second name appeared. The main goal of the Mangavra Higher School was to train officials, military leaders and diplomats in arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music, rhetoric, grammar and philosophy.
The school's existence ended with the fall of Constantinople. It was the teachers of this school who studied the ancient manuscripts of Aristotle and Plato, and it was their efforts that the evidence base for the sphericity of the Earth was restored and found. As a result, the education model of the University of Constantinople created a good base for higher education institutions in Western Europe.
Al-Karaween Institute
Currently, this university is considered the most important center for all Islamic spiritual and educational institutions. It was here that people who made a huge contribution to the development of Muslim culture at the world level received their education. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Al-Karaouine Institute is the oldest university in the world that continues to teach practice to this day. Until 1947, education was provided here, slightly different from the current idea. There was a system of mentoring and individual training. Upon completion of the course of study, the document on behalf of the university is notissued. And only after 1947, this university began to work according to the generally recognized European system. The main directions of the Institute are:
- religious Islamic sciences;
- legal area;
- traditional linguistics and grammar of the Arabic language;
- Malikit madhhab;
- foreign languages - French and English.
Lectures read by the Sheikh. The students sit in front of him in the form of a semicircle. After reading the material, he explains the difficult points and answers the questions that have arisen.
Al-Azhar Higher Educational Institution
At the first stages, lectures on the features of Shiism were mainly given here. In 988, Al-Azhar University underwent major changes. By the forces of the minister, a curriculum was introduced for the university, as well as a staff of teachers and a group of students were recruited. Since the university was located in Cairo, international students often entered it.
At first, the learning process was carried out in the courtyard of a nearby mosque, but a huge number of visiting students forced them to attach living quarters to this business. Already in those days, students for excellent success could apply for a scholarship. Also, the leadership often invited eminent professors to transfer experience.
Since 1961, nine faculties have been operating at Al-Azhar University. Among them are agriculture, medicine, pedagogy and others. A separate faculty stands out for women. Women are taught the humanities, medicine, trade, as well as the features of Islamic culture andlocal language. They also hire only female teachers.
Rare collections of Arabic manuscripts are stored on the territory of the university. Both Egyptians and foreigners have the opportunity to get an education in this prestigious educational institution for free. It is enough to provide a referral from the imam and successfully pass all the entrance exams.
Institute of Higher Education of Bologna
From the first days of its existence, the University of Bologna has been an association of students. That is, it was the students who decided which subjects to study and which teacher to work with. The main direction of study here has always been jurisprudence. It was here that in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries such famous glossators as Placentino, Burgundio, Roger and others lectured.
Today it is believed that it was the University of Bologna that created the basis of European education. Here and now you can get education in various areas. The university is part of a number of university associations, including the Coimbra Group and the Utrecht Network.
