Universities, scientifically called ordinary institutions of higher learning, are organizations with unique functions. It is related to social, economic and political systems. It is an academic institution with inheritance, research, integration and innovation. It is not only the product of the development of human culture to a certain stage, but also a unique culture gradually formed on the basis of long-term practice through historical accumulation, self-efforts and the influence of external environment.
Universities have a history of thousands of years since their birth. At first, it mainly developed from Germany, Britain and other countries. Modern universities in China originated in the west, which gradually evolved from European medieval universities, British universities and German universities to American universities. It is generally believed that the establishment of 1809 Berlin University in Germany marks the birth of modern universities.
Educators have many classic comments on universities. For example, Cai Yuanpei said: Scholars, including gifts, also attract universities. British educator Newman said: University education should provide universal knowledge (universal truth) and complete knowledge, not narrow professional knowledge. The knowledge he said includes both concrete scientific truth and abstract and scientific philosophical knowledge.
Characteristics of university culture: university culture is gradually formed on the basis of long-term school-running practice; University culture is accumulated and created with university people as the main body; University culture is based on knowledge and disciplines (majors); University culture is the result of the integration of local culture and international culture.