A lookback at some of the oldest surviving universities of the world
Welcome to the fascinating world of universities! These are places of academic excellence where students can engage in research, attend lectures, participate in discussions and collaborate with other like-minded individuals. The buildings of many universities are often grand and imposing, with impressive architecture that exude a sense of tradition and history. While many universities have come and gone over the centuries, some have stood the test of time and remained among the oldest in the world. Did you know that the earliest university was established in the Middle Ages and it still exists? Let’s go on a journey through time as we explore some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world and discover the famous personalities who studied there!
The University of Bologna
The University of Bologna, located in Italy, boasts of a rich history as the oldest university in the Western world. It was found in the year 1088, during the Middle Ages and remarkably, it has never ceased operations since its inception. Originally, the university only offered doctoral studies, but it has since expanded to offer over 200-degree programmes. The University of Bologna's history is filled with significant figures who have contributed to innovations in science. You might even know some of their alumni. They are in your science textbooks! Yes, Nicolaus Copernicus, an Italian mathematician whose ground-breaking heliocentric theory revolutionised our understanding of the solar system, and Giovanni Capellini, a pioneering Italian geologist who made significant contributions to the field of palaeontology, are just a few to name. Additionally, Giovanni Cassini, an Italian astronomer and engineer, made important discoveries about the planet Saturn, further advancing our understanding of the universe. All of them studied at the prestigious University of Bologna!
The University of Oxford
The Oxford University, located in England, is widely renowned. Notably, Sir Stephen Hawking, the renowned British scientist, was an alumnus of this esteemed institution. But he was not the only famous person to graduate from this institute. The list of alumni includes an impressive 28 UK prime ministers, 20 archbishops of Canterbury, 12 saints, 27 Nobel laureates and 50 Nobel Prize winners. It's truly incredible! With a history of over 922 years! For those seeking higher education, here’s an exciting titbit about Oxford. C.S. Lewis, the British writer of the famous book and movie series Narnia (1950) once served as a tutor at the university. This is where he found inspiration for the famous door to Narnia during his daily walks past it! It is located near the university church.
The University of Paris
The University of Paris, also known as ‘la Sorbonne’, was established way back between 1160 and 1250 in France. Unfortunately, during the French Revolution, it had to stop working from 1793 to 1896. The University of Paris is split into 13 schools that are equally prestigious. It has a strong focus on research and is home to many research centres and institutes, covering everything from the arts and humanities to science and technology. The architecture of the university is magnificent and also a popular tourist attraction. And guess what? Some of the famous people, like Marie Curie, the Polish scientist who discovered radioactivity and Vera Wang, the American fashion designer, went to this university! Pretty cool, right?