There are many universities in the world that have been operating for several centuries.
First of all, it is worth mentioning the University of Bologna, founded, presumably, in 1088.
There are also the famous Oxford and Cambridge universities, which began their work in the first half of the 13th century.
However, the oldest operating higher education institution is not located in Europe at all.
This status is held by an institution located... in Africa.
The oldest university in the world
We are talking about the University of Al-Karaouine in the Moroccan city of Fez. The university was founded in 859.
Throughout its existence, the educational institution has graduated a large number of people whose activities were related to science, philosophy and religion.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, Al-Karaouine is the oldest operating university in the world.
But there is a nuance: at first, the institution was not a university in the European sense.
For a long time, Al-Karaouine was an institution that would be more accurately called an "educational center." At first, it focused only on spiritual education. Later, students began to study various exact sciences and natural sciences.
Students were taught by individual tutors. Graduates did not receive diplomas.
Al-Karaouine became a “standard” university only in the 20th century.
Earlier we told you about the oldest hotel in the world .
