Oldest Universities in the WorldMost of the oldest universities in the world are located in Europe, and as such, many of the surviving institutions have highly revered academic programs.Universities, or institutions of higher education, have their roots in Europe during medieval times where some of the oldest universities in the world were first founded. The term “university” comes from the word “universitas magistrorum et scholarium” which translates to “community of teachers and scholars.” In most places around the world, the term “university” is granted to institutions by a government agency, but in some places like the United States, there is no national standard for its definition.With its beginnings, the philosophy behind a university is the notion of academic freedom. By the 18th century, universities were publishing research journals. Through the 19th century, religion briefly entered institutions and then became less focused on religion as science became more dominant. As time has progressed, universities have become more accessible to the masses, and today, online institutions like University of the People are helping to make education even more democratic and available to everyone.But where and when were the oldest universities in the world created exactly? Here’s a brief look at some of the oldest institutions.1. University of Bologna – ItalyEstablished in 1088, the University of Bologna holds the title of being the oldest in the world. In the past, the academic offering was only for doctoral degrees, but this has since changed as there are now a range of programs at various levels. There are about 84,200 students enrolled of which 30,000 are postgraduate students.2. University of Oxford – United KingdomCreated somewhere between 1096 to 1167, the University of Oxford is one of the most widely revered institutions in the world. The roster of alumni boasts prime ministers, Nobel laureates, and notable figures like Sir Stephen Hawking. The exact date of its inception is not entirely known, but some history points to the fact that teachings began as early as 1096.3. University of Salamanca – SpainFounded in 1134 with a royal charter in 1218, the University of Salamanca is Spain’s oldest institution. In the late 15th century, Christopher Columbus obtained royal support for his expedition that discovered North America on the university’s grounds. Today, over 30,000 students are enrolled across nine campuses.4. University of Paris – FranceMore commonly known as Sorbonne, the University of Paris was founded between 1160 and 1250. Following the French Revolution, the school was on hold from 1793 to 1896. In 1970, it was divided into 13 individual institutions.5. University of Cambridge – United KingdomDue to political conflicts, a group of students left the University of Oxford and created the University of Cambridge in 1209. The 21,600 students that attend the University of Cambridge still hold a rivalry with the University of Oxford that is rooted in its history.There are other universities around the world that were established early and continue to thrive. For example, the oldest university in the United States of America is Harvard, which was created in 1636. Although each university has its own philosophy of teaching, the modern-day university systems has its roots grounded in Europe from way back in the day. 13. What is the philosophy behind a universityaccording to the passage ?