University of Bologna

University was established at the beginning of the 11th century and is considered as the oldest in Europe. His founder is Irnerius, teaching law. He also opened a School of Glossators, which became the university.

Initially, the professors of the university didn’t get a salary and lived on students’ money, who were grateful for teaching. But they could not always bring enough money, so the Commune helped them. 

In the Middle Age University of Bologna was quite famous. First of all, the students were supported by the German King Frederick I. He assumed, that Roman law should be spread. According to his announcement, the most talented students could freely travel under his protection. Also, if the students were involved in the court process, their professors or Bologna episcopes could resolve a case. It could sound surprising, but all the social groups have the same possibility of studying at the university. 

The innovation was also the way of management in the university. The key decisions were taken by students: they chose the direction, which was controlling the Teaching Stuff. The chosen professors were able to work only in Bologna.  By the way, professors had the right to choose the way of teaching and all the training materials. This system took the interests of both, students and professors, under the consideration. 

Nowadays the University of Bologna is still working. 85 000 students from different countries are studied in various educational programs.