World's oldest universities that nourished the beautiful mind of Stephen Hawking and other modern genius

Built and intended for higher learning, these universities have withstood the test of time amidst modern civilisation. Some dating back even a century, these universities are a living-learning legacy itself. From Africa to Europe, these oldest universities have been home to modern geniuses such as Stephen Hawking and the likes. Take a look at the five of the oldest universities in the world that nourished millions of beautiful minds.

1. Al-Azhar University in Egypt: Established as early as 970 Ad in Cairo, Egypt, the Al-Azhar University did not gain its university status until after 1961. It has survived much political instabilities in the African sub-continent and is regarded as one of the oldest universities in the world.  Earlier known as a centre of Islamic learning or a madrasa, Al-Azhar University now educates every other modern curriculum such as business, economics, science, medicine, engineering and agriculture. It now ranks 801 among the 1000 universities in the world ranking.
2. University of Bologna in Italy: Located in Italy and founded in 1088, the University of Bologna has been in operation for nearly a century and still strongly stands up with their Latin motto, The ‘Nourishing Mother of the Studies’.  With time, University of Bologna has added diverse range of programs at all levels of modern education in contrast to only the doctorate studies they once taught. The university has refined many celebrated individuals which include three popes, numerous businessmen and several Italian celebrated individuals like Nicolaus Copernicus, Michelangelo Antonioni, Pier Paolo Pasolini etc.
3. University of Oxford in UK: A university the United Kingdom prides in, the university’s start of pedagogy dates as early as 1096. This university not only prides as being one of the oldest and the most sought-after university ranking fifth in the world, it has also aluminised some of the geniuses of our time, Sir Stephen Hawking for example. The University of Oxford has also proven to be a flowing fountain of Nobel Prize winners and laureates. Till date, the university has had 50 Nobel Prize winners, 27 Nobel Laureates in addition to 27 UK prime ministers.
4. University of Paris in France: One of the first established universities in Europe, the University of Paris, France was established sometime in 1160.  Suspended between 1793 to 1863, following the French Revolution, the university is now divided into 13 autonomous institutions all of which still retains their high reputation.University of Salamanca in Spain: Founded in 1134, the University of Salamanca is located in the west of Madrid and is Spain’s oldest and the world’s third oldest university in the world still in operation. This university is also one where Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century made a case to obtain royal support for his Indies expedition.

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