Renowned centers of learning
- POSTED ON: 28 Feb, 2022
- TOTAL VIEWS: 306 Views
- POSTED BY: Madhuvanti S. Krishnan
- ARTICLE POINTS: 150 Points
Since time immemorial, there have been universities that have churned out bright young minds. A look at some of the oldest of them from across the world.
Al-Azhar University
Founded in the 10th century, it is Egypt’s oldest degree-granting university, and the second oldest in the world. Its library is deemed second in importance only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives.
The Autonomous University of Santo Domingo
While its foundation can be traced back to a Dominican seminary established in 1518, it was elevated to university status by the Papal Bull In Apostolatus Culmine, issued by Pope Paul III on October 28, 1538. It had four faculties – Law, Theology, the Arts and Medicine.
University of Santo Tomas
The oldest university in Asia, it was founded in the 17th century, by Spanish friar Miguel de Benavides, third Archbishop of Manila. It is one of the world’s largest Catholic universities. It offers programmes in over 180 undergraduate and graduate specialisations.
University of Bologna
Founded in the 11th century, it has never been out of operations. Bettisia Gozzadini, the first woman to earn a university degree and teach at a university, and Laura Bassi, the first woman to earn both a doctorate in Science and a salaried position as a university professor, both studied here.
The University of Sydney
Founded in the 19th century, The University of Sydney is considered to be Australia’s first university. It was established through the passage of the University of Sydney Act 1850 (NSW). The main campus has been ranked in the top 10 of the world’s most beautiful universities by the British Daily Telegraph.
Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico
It was founded in 1551 by a royal decree signed by Charles I of Spain, and is deemed the first university officially founded in North America. It was organised by five faculties — Law, Theology, Fees, the Arts, and Medicine. After the Mexican War of Independence, it was renamed University of Mexico.
Based on what you have read, arrange them in the order of oldest to newest universities.