15,697
edits
Changes
no edit summary
{{Mediawiki:kindleoasis}}
[[File:Raphael School of Athens.jpg|thumbnail|left|Figure 1. Depiction of Plato's Academy.]]
__NOTOC__
Universities today are a key component for modern states and economies, where the professional classes and academic research are fostered. We often rate societies by their abilities to produce scientific achievement and develop economic success where universities play a critical role in this. However, the history of universities was very different and these institutions were first relatively parochial and only in recent times have they become pervasive.