University

A university is an institution of higher education and research which grants academic degrees in a variety
of subjects and provides bothundergraduate education and postgraduate education. The word "university"
is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, which roughly means "community of
teachers and scholars."[1]

The original Latin word "universitas" refers in general to "a number of persons associated into one
body, a society, company, community, guild, corporation, etc."

Medieval universities

Area above the Old University of Bolognabuildings, founded in 1088

European higher education took place for hundreds of years in Christian cathedral
schools or monastic schools (Scholae monasticae), in which monksand nuns taught classes;
evidence of these immediate forerunners of the later university at many places dates back to the 6th
century AD

Early modern universities

During the Early Modern period (approximately late 1400s to 1800), the universities of Europe would
see a tremendous amount of growth, productivity and innovative research. At the end of the Middle
Ages, about 400 years after the first university was founded, there were twenty-nine universities
spread throughout Europe. In the 15th century, twenty-eight new ones were created, with another
eighteen added between 1500 and 1625.[33] This pace continued until by the end of the 18th century
there were approximately 143 universities in Europe and Eastern Europe, with the highest
concentrations in the German Empire (34), Italian countries (26), France (25), and Spain (23) this
was close to a 500% increase over the number of universities toward the end of the Middle Ages.

Modern universities
By the 18th century, universities published their own research journals and by the 19th century, the
German and the French university models had arisen. The German, or Humboldtian model, was
conceived by Wilhelm von Humboldt and based on Friedrich Schleiermachers liberal ideas pertaining
to the importance of freedom, seminars, and laboratories in universities.[citation needed] The French
university model involved strict discipline and control over every aspect of the university.

National universities
A national university is generally a university created or run by a national state but at the same time
represents a state autonomic institution which functions as a completely independent body inside of
the same state. Some national universities are closely associated with
national cultural or politicalaspirations, for instance the National University of Ireland in the early days
of Irish independence collected a large amount of information on the Irish language and Irish culture.
Reforms in Argentina were the result of the University Revolution of 1918 and its posterior reforms by
incorporating values that sought for a more equal and laic higher education system.

Intergovernmental universities
Universities created by bilateral or multilateral treaty between states are intergovernmental. Such
as Academy of European Law offering training in European law to lawyers, judges, barristers,
solicitors, in-house counsel and academics. EUCLID (Ple Universitaire Euclide, Euclid University) is
chartered as a university and umbrella organization dedicated to sustainable development in signatory
countries and United Nations University efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the
concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. The European University Institute, a
post-graduate university specialised in the social sciences, is officially an intergovernmental
organisation, set up by the member states of the European Union.

Organization
Although each institution is organized differently, nearly all universities have a board of trustees; a
president, chancellor, or rector; at least one vice president, vice-chancellor, or vice-rector; and deans
of various divisions. Universities are generally divided into a number of academic departments,
schools or faculties. Public university systems are ruled over by government-run higher education
boards. They review financial requests and budget proposals and then allocate funds for each
university in the system. They also approve new programs of instruction and cancel or make changes
in existing programs. In addition, they plan for the further coordinated growth and development of the
various institutions of higher education in the state or country. However, many public universities in
the world have a considerable degree of financial, research and pedagogical autonomy. Private
universities are privately funded and generally have broader independence from state policies.
However, they may have less independence from business corporations depending on the source of
their finances.

Universities around the world

he funding and organization of universities varies widely between different countries around the world.
In some countries universities are predominantly funded by the state, while in others funding may
come from donors or from fees which students attending the university must pay. In some countries
the vast majority of students attend university in their local town, while in other countries universities
attract students from all over the world, and may provide university accommodation for their students.
[57]

Classification
The definition of a university varies widely even within some countries. For example, there is no
nationally standardized definition of the term in the United States although the term has traditionally
been used to designate research institutions and was once reserved for research doctorate-granting
institutions.[58] Some states, such as Massachusetts, will only grant a school "university status" if it

grants at least two doctoral degrees.[59] In the United Kingdom, the Privy Council is responsible for
approving the use of the word "university" in the title of an institution, under the terms of the Further
and Higher Education Act 1992.[60] In India, a new tag deemed universities has been created for high
performing universities, giving them additional autonomy. Through this provision many universities
sprung up in India, which are commercial in nature and have been established just to exploit the
demand of higher education.[6

Alternative universities
Alternative universities or colleges in the United States offer an education, and in some cases a
lifestyle, that is intentionally not mainstream compared to other institutions. Through the use of
experimental and unconventional curricula and offering choice to students as to what and how they
will study, such institutions distinguish themselves from traditional faculties. They often attract faculty
and students who are interested in such values and are often politically liberal [citation needed]. Additionally,
some of them expand on the concept of democratic education to integrate students in various facets
of school administration. Methods of evaluation frequently favor detailed written evaluations instead of
grades. Some institutions do not require an SAT/ACT, but rather ask for a series of essays. Many of
these institutions are private, though most offer scholarships, grants, and other aid.

Colleges
A college (Latin: collegium) is an educational institution or a constituent part of one. Usage of the
word college varies in English-speaking nations. A college may be a degreeawarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate university, or an institution
offering vocational education.
In the United States, "college" formally refers to a constituent part of a university, although in Ireland
and in some cases in the US, "college" and "university" are interchangeable, [1] whereas in Ireland, the
UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and other former and present Commonwealth nations, "college"
may refer to a secondary or high school, a college of further education, a training institution that
awards trade qualifications, or a constituent part of a university. (See this
comparison of British and American English educational terminology for further information.)

Many times a non university facility is called a college. Some would be accepted as higher-learning
that are accredited by CHE to confer a Bachelor's (and, in some cases, also a Master's) degree are
called "Academic Colleges."[5] i.e see types of Colleges in Israel

Academic colleges[edit]
Any educational facility that had been approved to offer at least Bachelor degree is entitled by CHE to
use the term academic college in its name.[6] Some of the colleges (at least 4 for 2012) provide M.Sc.
degree and act as a Research facilities.

Engineering academic college[edit]

Any academic facility that offer at least Bachelor degree and most of it faculties are providing an
Engineering degree and Engineering license.

Educational academic college[edit]

After A facility that had "Teachers seminar" status is approved to provide B.Ed it change its to have the
words Educational Academic college.

Technical college[edit]
A "Technical college"[7] is an educational facility that is approved to allow to provide P.E degree[8] (14'th
class) or technician (( )13'th class) diploma and licenses.

South Africa[edit]
Although the term "college" is hardly used in any context at any university in South Africa, some nonuniversity tertiary institutions call themselves colleges. These include teacher training colleges,
business colleges and wildlife management colleges. See: List of universities in South Africa#Private
colleges and universities; List of post secondary institutions in South Africa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University