600TH ANNIVERSARY OF ZADAR UNIVERSITY MARKED IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - The programme for marking 600th anniversary of the establishment of Zadar Genaral University began in Zagreb on Monday by opening the exhibition on the creation of European universities and the university of Zadar. The work of the Dominicans' university in Zadar was showed by the exhibition of documents about its history. The exhibits include Paris university's charter dated from the thirteenth century and well-known university's seals, the oldest of which dated from the thirteenth century as well. A monograph with the title 'General University of the Dominicans in Zadar or Universitas Jadertina 1396-1807' was presented as part of the marking of the 600th anniversary. The monograph was written by Dominican Stjepan Krasic, and published by the Zadar faculty of philosophy. Krasic explained the meaning of the notion 'general university', ad said it was the name for highest scientific and educational institution in the Middle Ages. Only popes, emperors, in the 13th century and later heads of the Dominicans could establish such universities. Thus, in 1396 the general university run by Dominicans was founded in Zadar, where students could take their doctor's degree. The university was active until 1807 when the French rule closed it. Croatian Parliament President, academician Vlatko Pavletic, stressed that the monograph was "a great research work" that showed that Croatia was really part of Europe. He added that few nations can boast of universities old 600 years. The anniversary marking was organized by the Zagreb-based Zadar club, Zadar university, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar, Dominicans in Zagreb and the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences. (hina) jn mš 252238 MET nov 96