When you think about the beginning of higher education, what comes to your mind? The Greek philosophers? Medieval private classes reserved for the rich? Or maybe you are thinking about Europe in the XIX century, where the idea of modern universities had its beginnings?
Well, none of the answers are wrong, however, I would like to dive deeper into the history of universities, outlining the first-ever established facilities, their history, and rules.
Firstly, let me walk you through the history of higher education itself. Yes, most of us would automatically think about the Platonic Academy, which is often treated as the first, well-recorded attempt of creating a school. Later on, the Library of Alexandria was built, giving rise to more international education. Students from around the world could come there to educate themselves. India, China and Persia developed various higher education systems allowing young people to acquire various types of knowledge; from Buddhism, to law, to medicine.
The first-ever university is located in Fez, Morocco. Al-Qarawiyyin University set the Guinness record of being the oldest educational institution that still operates. Its establishment dates back to 859. What’s interesting and shocking is the fact that it was founded by a woman. Fatima al-Fihri used the money which she inherited from her father to build a school that not only was the first to introduce the commonly used system of awarding degrees but it was also the first to introduce a very strict selection system. Al-Qarawiyyin is the oldest university in the world, the first to be established by a Muslim and the first set up by a woman. It has to be truly incredible to attend such an institution.
Now, imagine that you’re walking down the street in Bologna, Italy. It is early autumn of 1088 and you are about to start your first year at the first-ever university in Europe and the second one in the world. Chances are that you would be a man in his adulthood, interested in law and bureaucracy. Or you might have been one of the students who established The University of Bologna. It was not so much of a government facility but rather a student association aiming to make it possible for men to educate themselves in terms of the law. The teachers were paid directly by students, however, the atmosphere they created with the pupils was almost homely, which is exactly what the Latin meaning of “university” carries.
As years and centuries went by, the school diversified and started offering programs teaching politics, engineering, philosophy, and medicine.
The second oldest university is a well-known one, after all, who hasn’t heard about Oxford? The school gained popularity after the king of England banned the students from attending the University of Paris. Oxford’s strong point was theology, which became its main subject for a long time. Following Christian principles, the university didn’t discriminate against the poor, making it possible for people from all walks of life to attend the school. Later on the University of Oxford expanded, opening many other faculties, including history, literature, and law.
It’s the 1134 and you find yourself in Madrid, Spain. You are strolling down the path near the river Tormes, your classes are about to begin soon. After all, you are going to be one of the first students attending the fourth oldest university in the world – the University of Salamanca. In the beginning, the school offered four courses to choose from: canon law, arts, grammar, and physics. After some time it became one of the best universities in Europe, competing with Bologna, Paris and Oxford. It quickly gained more popularity attracting students from all around the world, striving to get educations from the best professors in the continent. Right now the university is one of the most popular destinations for Erasmus students and almost 36% of its alumni are from outside of Europe.
It is truly amazing that we can still study in places founded thousand years ago. While entering each one of the buildings you can almost feel history rushing through your veins. When becoming the student there you would pass the gates on Monday thinking exactly what a person doing the same thing a few centuries ago: Gosh, I have a test, but at least I get to listen to some other interesting lectures. That is probably what makes all students the same, no matter if they were the first ones or if they are us, we hate getting up early but love learning.
Sara Siniecka
SOURCES:
-TOPUNIVERSITIES.COM
-USAL.ES
-BRITTANICA
-COURSOSINTERNATIONALES.USAL.ES
-OX.AC.UK
-DAILYSABAH
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