Which is the University of Al Quaraouiyine
The University of Bologna in Italy and the University of Al Quaraouiyine in Morocco are the main contenders for the title of oldest university in the world. Though they represent different traditions and time periods in the development of higher education, both institutions have rich histories and have made important contributions to education.
Ankush Pandey
University of Al Quaraouiyine
The Al Quaraouiyine University It is situated in Fez, Morocco, and was established in AD 859. During the Golden Age of Islam, it started out as a mosque but quickly became one of the most famous places for learning and worship. For centuries, its superiority in languages, astronomy, mathematics, and theology has been highly sought after. Guinness World Records and UNESCO both acknowledge it as the oldest continuously operating university that still grants degrees. Its incorporation into Morocco's contemporary state university system in 1963 solidified its position as a crucial institution for international education.
Al Quaraouiyine is significant not only because of its age but also because it has contributed significantly to the dissemination and preservation of knowledge over time. Its academic environment is diverse because students from all over the world came to study there. Ibn Khaldun, a renowned historian and philosopher who has had a major impact on the social sciences, is one of the well-known alumni.
University of Bologna
In contrast, the University of Bologna, established in 1088 AD, was the oldest continuously operating university in Europe. The "Nourishing Mother of Studies" is a school that was among the first to refer to itself as a "Universitas" in reference to a structured community of scholars and students. It began primarily as a centre for legal studies but gradually branched out into other fields at different levels.
Bologna's historical significance extends beyond its age; it also influences the institution's governance and academic freedom. Modern universities all over the world have been built on the foundational model of the university, which allowed students to organise into guilds that could collectively negotiate with the professors over course offerings and tuition costs.
Currently, the University of Bologna has 87,760 students enrolled, many of whom are from abroad. Among its alumni are three popes and a host of prominent business and political figures. Comparing
| University | Year Founded | Location | Notable Aspects |
| University of Al Quaraouiyine | 859 AD | Fez, Morocco | Oldest continuously operating university globally; pivotal in Islamic scholarship. |
| University of Bologna | 1088 AD | Bologna, Italy | The first university to use "universitas"; oldest continuously operating university in the West. |
Despite their claims to be the oldest, both universities represent distinct facets of the evolution of higher education. While the University of Bologna is renowned for its fundamental role in forming Western academic traditions, the University of Al Quaraouiyine is recognized for its historical significance in Islamic culture and education. Every institution has a distinct history that still shapes contemporary educational systems worldwide.
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