University of Libya

The University of Libya (Arabic: الجامعة الليبية‎)[1] was a public university based in Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya. The university was established in 1955 and disestablished in 1973, when its colleges were split into two new universities: the University of Tripoli (later Al Fateh University) in Tripoli, and the University of Benghazi (later Garyounis University) in Benghazi.

University of Libya
الجامعة الليبية
Logo of the University of Libya
TypePublic
Active15 December 1955–1973
Location
Tripoli & Benghazi
,
Libya
The university was split between Tripoli and Benghazi universities.
Founded by royal decree in 1955, al Manar Palace in Benghazi was the first campus
Students during a seminar at the university (1966)
King Idris (left) shaking hands with Prime Minister Wanis al-Qaddafi at the establishment of the new campus of the university in 1968

History

Origins

Despite its difficult economic situation at the time, in the 1950s the Libyan government decided to found a university. Towards that goal it sent a delegation to Egypt in 1955 to meet the then-prime minister Gamal Abdul Nasser, and seek his permission for the loan of some lecturers working in Egypt. The Egyptian government agreed, and promised to pay the salaries of the four borrowed lecturers for four years.[2] The U.S. nominated Professor Majid Khadduri to be the dean of faculty of Literature, and took the burden of paying him.[3]

A royal decree was issued on 15 December 1955 for the founding of the university. The first faculty to be formed was the Faculty of Literature in Benghazi, and the royal palace "Al Manar",[4] from which King Idris I of Libya declared its independence on 24 December 1951, was assigned to be the campus.

Expansion

The next step was of course to extend the university and establish new faculties:[5]

On 6 October 1968, a celebration was held for the founding of a new campus in Garyounis district of Benghazi. The celebration was attended by King Idris I, Wanis al-Qaddafi, the Prime Minister, and Abdel Moula Dughman, President of the university.[7]

Split

In August 1973 the university split to form two new universities:[8]

  • the Tripoli Campus formed the University of Tripoli; and

After 7 April 1976 the two new universities were renamed as follows:

Presidents

A list of presidents of the University of Libya:[5]

  • Mahmud El Bishti (1956–1958)
  • Abdel Jawad el Freitees (1958–1961)
  • Bakry Gaddura (1961–1963)
  • Mutapha Bayo (1963–1967)
  • Abdel Moula Dughman (1967–1969)
  • Omar et Tumi esh Sheibani (1969–1973)

Notes
  1. University of Libya was the formal translation of Al Jame'a Al Libiya to English. However, its more accurate to translate it The Libyan University since Al Libiya is an adjective for Al Jame'a.
  2. Mohammed Faraj Dghaim, p. 106.
  3. Mustapha Ben Halim, "Libia : Inbe'ath Omma.. wa Soqout Dawla", Manshurat al Jamal, Koln, Germany, 2003.
  4. Mohammed Faraj Dghaim, p. 105.
  5. Mohammed Faraj Dghaim, p. 107.
  6. Al Lajna ash Sha'biya li Baladiya al Bayan al Awwal (Benghazi), Benghazi tourist guide, 1984, p.18.
  7. Quryna bulletin, p. 2.
  8. Garyounis University: Nashra Ihsa'iya

References
  • Mohammed Faraj Dghaim, "Al Jami'a Al Libiya fi Eidi'a Al Khamseen: Safha Mushriqa fi tarikh Libia", Al Jamei Magazine, No.10, Al-fateh 2005, Al Fateh University.
  • Cyrene (Quryna), a bulletin issued by U.of Libya because of founding the new campus at 6 Oct. 1968.
  • Garyounis University – Idarat Ash Shu'un at Tullabiya, "Nashra Ihsa'iya bi Adad al Khirijeen munthu ta'sees al Jame'a hatta amm 1982".

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