Universities around the world have extensive histories, with the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest higher learning institution. Founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri, the university was later added to Morocco’s university system in 1963. The university’s curriculum focuses on education in Arabic language, Islamic literature, and includes teachings in science, mathematics, and foreign language. Another notable ancient university is the University of Bologna in Italy, established in 1088 and cited as the oldest continually operating university in the world.
The Al-Karaouine Mosque and University complex, founded by Fatima al-Fihri and her sister Mariam, is known for being the world’s oldest tree dating back almost 5,000 years. The public university is the oldest in Europe and has been a place of learning for famous alumni like astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. The University of Bologna currently has 96,984 students enrolled, including 8,526 international students, studying across various departments such as architecture, engineering, economics, legal studies, mathematics, pharmacy, and veterinary medical sciences.
The University of Oxford in England, founded after the University of Bologna, is considered the oldest university in the English-speaking world. While teaching at Oxford can be traced back to around 1096, its popularity increased in 1167 when Henry II banned English students from studying at the University of Paris. Harvard University, founded on October 28, 1636, holds the title for the oldest university in the United States. With an acceptance rate of 3%, the Ivy League school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco was founded as a mosque before becoming a part of the country’s university system in 1963. The complex includes a mosque, university, and library, and focuses on education in Arabic language, Islamic literature, science, mathematics, and foreign language. The University of Bologna in Italy, dating back to 1088, is recognized as the oldest continually operating university, with a wide range of departments and a significant number of international students.
The University of Oxford in England is considered the oldest university in the English-speaking world and saw growth in popularity from 1167 onwards. Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest university in the United States with an incredibly low acceptance rate. Both universities have played significant roles in shaping higher education in their respective regions. The blending of tradition with innovation continues to be a hallmark of these prestigious institutions, allowing them to maintain their historical significance while adapting to an ever-changing educational landscape.
