University of Karueein - Definition and Overview

The University of Karueein in Fez, Morocco was founded in 859. Associated with the city's giant mosque, it is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest university in the world. Other transliterations of the name include Kairouyine, Qaraouyine, Quarawin, Al-Qarawiyin, Kairaouine, Karaouine, Karouine, and El Qaraouiyn. It does not currently appear on the Wikipedia List of oldest universities in continuous operation but it is over seventy years older than Al-Azhar University of Cairo, called the world's oldest by those who disagree with the Guinness Book.

It is considered one of the most important centers of learning in North Africa.