The foundation of the American higher education system is derived from the original ideology of European education. Two Greek pioneers of tutelage, Plato and Aristotle, established the Academy in 387 BC and the Lyceum in 335 BC, respectively. Around the same time, scholars traveled from Greece and the Middle East to Egypt to visit the Library of Alexandria. In Jewish tradition from about 70 AD to the 1200s, the Talmud was used as the fundamental text in both religion and secular academics. Buddhism became a popular during the 5th century AD, with Indian and Chinese students studying the religion at the Nalanda monastery in India. Chinese higher education institutions started thriving in the 7th century AD while Korea established its first university in the 14th century AD. Now one of the most prolific universities in the Middle East, Al Azhar University was founded in 970 AD in Cairo, Egypt as the principal learning center for Islamic studies.
The development of universities in Western Europe began when groups of students flocked from their home countries to various locations to witness instructors lecture about specific topics. Numerous universities were established in Europe during the 12th century. England, Germany, Bohemia, and Poland each had the inauguration of their first university. The primary model for European institutions originated from the basis of the University of Paris, which became the primary establishment for the studies of philosophy and theology. Two universities in Italy became the leading centers for professional studies. The University of Bologna became known for the study of law, and the University of Salerno became renowned for the study of medicine. Future universities in Italy and Spain modeled their institutions after the University of Bologna. In general, medieval universities were comprised of males only; no females were granted admission. Even so, not many men attended university and most of those who did were...