May 16, 2018 | 17:11
Society
THE ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE UNIVERSITIES BY FRANCESCO AGNOLI
Francesco Agnoli, who lives and delivers lectures in the city of Trento, Italy, analyzes the role and importance of the universities in the process of human development. He writes: “The University is a clear, original phenomenon in the history of civilization, the result of an unprecedented flight of minds of the entire medieval society. This is evidenced by the fact that in 1600 the number of universities in the world was more than 100.”
The author writes that medieval universities highly respected freedom of speech and specific work was under way to develop critical approaches. Pope Urban VI published a decree in 1388, in which cited his favor in connection with the foundation of the University of Colonia: “The main purpose of the newly opened institution is to spread knowledge, to dissolve the dark clouds of ignorance, to illuminate the deeds of men with truth. The social mission of the university is to be useful both to the individual and to the public by adding people’s welfare.”
The history of the university really begins in the Middle Ages. HEI of the 11th century were established in Italy in the 12th-13th centuries they were established in Paris (1215) and Montpellier (1289, France), Cambridge (1209) and Oxford (England), Salamanca (Spain), Lisbon (1290, Portugal), in the 14th century Prague (1348, Czech Republic), Krakow (1364, Poland), Vienna (1365, Austria), Heidelberg (1386, Germany), and in the 15th century Uppsala (1477, Sweden), Copenhagen (1479, Denmark).
Medieval universities usually consisted of artistic (preparatory) and three higher, law, medical and theological faculties. Seven liberal arts were taught at the Faculty of Arts (later philosophical) in Latin. Master’s and doctoral degrees were awarded at the higher education institutions.
Universities had their administrative autonomy, jurisdiction and statute. The first universities were often the places of free thought, advanced scientific and ideological orientation. That is why the church and the secular authorities sought to strengthen their influence on the universities.
Medieval Armenia also has high schools, some of which have been called universities such as Tatev (9th-15th centuries), Sanahin (10th-13th centuries), Ani (11th-13th centuries) and Avag Monastery (15th century) universities.
The medieval Armenian Universities taught philosophy, mathematics, natural sciences, logic, grammar, poetics, history, humanity, archeology, theology, music, painting, writing, and art.
On May 16, 1919, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Armenia made a decision to establish a university in Yerevan.
In our country, which has a university tradition, the opening of YSU gave start to student and youth life, student and youth traditions were formed.
According to Article 8.2 of the RA Law on Holidays and Memorial Days, YSU Foundation Day, May 16 is officially marked as Student and Youth Day.
Still in April of 2010 YSU Student Council applied to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia to have a student day. On December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly adopted the World Youth Day on August 12.
The World Youth Day was celebrated on August 12, 2000 for the first time. Every year, on November 17, the International Student Day is celebrated, which was adopted in November 1946.
The 100th anniversary of the foundation of Yerevan State University will be is celebrated in 2019.
