A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees at all levels (bachelor, master, and doctorate) in a variety of subjects. A university provides both tertiary and quaternary education. The word university is derived from the Latin universitas, meaning corporation, since the first medieval European universities were simply groups of scholars.

History

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Because of the above definition, there is some controversy regarding what is the world's oldest university. If we consider university simply as a higher education institution, then it is Shangyang, which originated before the 21st century BC in China. In the western world, the choice is between Takshashila, Nalanda and Al-Azhar University. If we consider the original meaning of the word (from the latin "universitas": a corporation of students), then universities are a medieval European phenomenon and the oldest university is the University of Bologna in northern Italy (founded in 1088 and known as "Alma Mater Studiorum").

Students at Takshashila University, founded in Taxila (Pakistan) from around the 7th century BC, were given academic titles after graduating from one of its many courses. Nalanda University, founded in Bihar (India) from around the 5th century BC, also gave academic titles to its graduates, while also offering post-graduate courses. Al-Azhar University, founded in Cairo (Egypt) in the 10th century, offered a variety of post-graduate degrees, and is usually regarded as the first full-fledged university.

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NYT > College Basketball

Men’s Roundup: Scheyer’s 36 Pace Duke Rout
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:15:09 -0000
The senior point guard added eight rebounds and nine assists to his career-high point total as the No. 7 Blue Devils rolled.
Women's Roundup: Ohio State Rolls Past In-State Opponent
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:30:10 -0000
Brittany Johnson scored 14 points, including 11 straight in a 15-3 first-half run, to lead No. 8 Ohio State past visiting Wright State, 84-47, on Tuesday night.
The Youthful Veteran at Memphis
By RAY GLIER Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:35:24 -0000
Josh Pastner, 32, who is 7-1 since being promoted to head coach of the Memphis men’s basketball team, is proving he was no consolation prize.
Kansas and Texas Still Hold Top 2 Spots in A.P. Top 25
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:24:46 -0000
Kansas was the runaway No. 1 pick, while Kentucky, which was No. 1 on one ballot, and Purdue both moved up one spot to third and fourth. Syracuse jumped two spots to No. 5.
College Basketball Roundup: Penn Fires Its Coach After a Winless Start
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:12:44 -0000
Penn fired its coach, Glen Miller, after the Quakers started the season 0-7 and some alumni started to complain.
Penn Fires Basketball Coach Miller After 0-7 Start
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:24:56 -0000
The Quakers replaced Glen Miller on an interim basis with former school great Jerome Allen, who served under Miller as an assistant coach.

ESPN.com - College Basketball

Weekly Watch: Week 4
Andy Katz Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:57:25 -0800
Kansas State's push to the top of Big 12 and Greg Monroe's refined game take home Weekly Watch honors.
Xavier Musketeers and Cincinnati Bearcats showcase one of the nation's great rivalries
Pat Forde Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:42:07 -0800
After the benches cleared and two overtimes were played, America got to see why Xavier versus Cincinnati is one the nation's spiciest rivalries.
Big Ten to explore possibility of expansion in next 12 to 18 months
Adam Rittenberg Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:57:35 -0800
The Big Ten Conference will explore the possibility of expansion in the next 12 to 18 months, according to a statement the league will release at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday.
Pressure helps No. 8 Vols wear down Wyoming
Associated Press Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:02:19 -0800
Scotty Hopson scored 14 points to help Tennessee (No. 8 ESPN/USA Today, No. 9 AP) pull away from Wyoming for a 77-58 victory Tuesday night.
NCAA recommends stricter rules on concussions
Associated Press Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:07:24 -0800
Hoping to beef up policies for handling concussions, an NCAA panel is recommending a new rule that would sideline an athlete for at least the rest of the day if he or she loses consciousness or shows other worrisome symptoms during competition.
Scheyer's 36 help Duke stomp Gardner-Webb
Associated Press Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:12:07 -0800
Jon Scheyer scored 24 of his career-high 36 points in the first half to lead No. 7 Duke past Gardner-Webb 113-68 on Tuesday night.

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