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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USA Cycling Collegiate News

2009 USA Cycling Collegiate Cyclocross National Championships Wrap
jhansen@usacycling.org Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:18:01 -0000
2009 USA Cycling Collegiate Cyclocross National Championships opened and closed on Sunday, awarding four individual titles and two team omnium championships to the best collegiate cyclocrossers in the country.
Updated National Rankings Leave Mesa State, Fort Lewis on Top
jhansen@usacycling.org Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:19:30 -0000
With three of the four USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships all wrapped up, the Division I race remains tight, while Mesa State College maintains a comfortable lead over second place MIT.
December Collegiate Update
jhansen@usacycling.org Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:36:13 -0000
Thoughts on the Varsity Movement - Conference Cross Seasons - Interview with Ted King - Collegiate BMX - 2010 Collegiate Rule Changes - USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships - Conference Directors and Board Members Convene - Revised Club Renewal Form to Track Scholarships - Point/Counterpoint on the Aero Ban - What Is and Isn't Mass-Start Legal - Club's Not on the List? Here's Why! - Time to Renew Your LIcense! - Mesa State College is Team of the Month - Interview with Outgoing RMCCC Director and Collegiate Trustee, Anne Spalding
Interview with Andrew Armstrong, Collegiate Trustee
jhansen@usacycling.org Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:16:01 -0000
Meet the members of the Collegiate Board of Trustees! Here's an interview with Andrew Armstrong, who is not only on the collegiate board, but founded and runs the Texas High School Cycling League!
Interview with Kevin Long, ACCC Director
jhansen@usacycling.org Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:03:27 -0000
After a baptism by fire mid-mountain bike season, Kevin Long is starting to get settled into his new full-time volunteer position as director of the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference. See what he has to say about the job so far.
Team of the Month: Montana State University
jhansen@usacycling.org Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:35:25 -0000
Montana State University blasted onto the national scene this year at the 2009 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships, scoring the 5th place Team Omnium slot with only 3 endurance riders. Find out how this impressive little team came out of relatively nowhere this year to astounding success.

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