University sights in Africa
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Sahrij Medersa
Taking its present name from the large rectangular pool or sahrij (basin) in its courtyard, this medersa dates from the 14th century. Built by the Merinid sultan Abou al-Hassan as a theological school attached to the Al-Andalous mosque, it features rich decoration including ornate and exquisite panels of mashrabiya (intricate carved wood), zellij and decorative plasterwork.
The building was designed to lead students from the entrance through the ornate screen door, past the sahrij and to the mihrab (niche indicating direction of Mecca) in the prayer room opposite the entrance. The Getty Foundation recently funded a conservation analysis of the building, which is in poor…
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University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, more commonly known as Wits (pronounced vits) University, dominates the quiet suburb of Braamfontein. Wits University is the largest English-language university in the country, with more than 20,000 students. Worth a look here are the Gertrude Posel Gallery; Jan Smuts House to see Smuts’ study; and the Planetarium, which you can look around for free, or attend shows on Friday (8pm), Saturday (3pm) and Sunday (4pm).
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American University in Cairo
American University in Cairo is the college of choice for the sons and daughters of Egypt's stratospherically wealthy. As of fall 2008, most students will be at a new campus in the eastern suburbs, but that won't stop average Egyptians from imagining the Western-inspired debauchery that goes on behind the tall fences. This campus has an attractive courtyard and a good bookshop. Also there are regular music recitals and plays of varying quality at the Ewart Hall, the Wallace Theatre and Falaki Studio Theatre. Events are advertised on boards at the campus entrance on Sharia Mohammed Mahmoud, in the 'ET Calendar' in Egypt Today and in the Egyptian Gazette.
You must hand over…
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Madrassat al-Founoun Wasana'a al-Islamiya
Madrassat al-Founoun Wasana'a al-Islamiya is worth visiting for two reasons. The first is that the beautifully arched façade conceals a delightful, expansive two-tiered courtyard which is rich in history. Originally built as a school during the Ottoman period, it was transformed into a prison from 1911 until 1942 by the Italians, who gathered Libyan deportees here before exiling them; many never returned, as suggested by the moving sculpture near the courtyard's western end.
The tree opposite the entrance dates back to 1917. The other reason for visiting is that this is once again a school, where young Libyans are taught the traditional crafts of leatherwork, woodwork…
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Kairaouine Mosque & University
The largest mosque in Africa, the Kairaouine claims to be the oldest university in the world. A wide variety of subjects was taught here, which is why Fez became such a centre of learning, culture and religious tolerance. The mosque is open to Muslims only.
The complex has grown since its founding in 859 and has many beautiful elements such as the pavilions, mihrab and decorative plasterwork, cedarwood and zellij reminiscent of the Alhambra in Spain. It has a 10th-century square minaret with cupola. The mosque was expanded to its current size under the Almoravids in the 12th century. Surrounding it are several medersas.
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College of Arts
About 500m south of Bagamoyo along the road to Dar es Salaam is the College of Arts, a renowned theatre and arts college, home of the national dance company and one of the best measure’s of Tanzania’s artistic pulse. When school is in session there are occasional traditional dancing and drumming performances, and it’s possible to arrange drumming or dancing lessons. The annual highlight is the Bagamoyo Arts Festival. For more on the college and arts in Bagamoyo, see the website of the Bagamoyo Friendship Society (www.bagamoyo.com).
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Bagamoyo Living Art & Handicraft Design Centre
The Bagamoyo Living Art & Handicraft Design Centre, just off the main Dar es Salaam road near the entrance to town and the post office, was established with Dutch funding about a decade ago to empower women by training them in business and handicraft design and production, giving them a means to earn their livelihood.
Since its founding, several hundred women have been trained, many of whom have gone on to start their own craft-production groups. There's also a small showroom where you can buy crafts and sometimes watch the craftswomen at work.
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Old Fourah Bay College
Gutted by fire in 1999, only the stone shell of the Old Fourah Bay College remains, but this 1848 building is graceful even in its decay. The World Monuments Fund lists it as one of the world's 100 most-endangered historic sites. There is talk of turning it into a community arts centre.
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Fourah Bay College
On Mt Aureol is Fourah Bay College, founded in 1827. It later became one of the first universities in sub-Saharan Africa. On the edge of campus is a botanical garden and you can follow the walking path through the forest down to the waterfall you passed on the drive up.
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Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry
The two large and interesting mosaics at the Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry are worth a look.
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University of Botswana
Contains plenty of books and periodicals dealing with national topics.
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University of Botswana
Contains plenty of books and periodicals dealing with national topics.
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Kairaouine Mosque & University
The largest mosque in Africa, the Kairaouine claims to be the oldest university in the world. A wide variety of subjects was taught here, which is why Fez became such a centre of learning, culture and religious tolerance. The mosque is open to Muslims only.
The complex has grown since its founding in 859 and has many beautiful elements such as the pavilions, mihrab and decorative plasterwork, cedarwood and zellij reminiscent of the Alhambra in Spain. It has a 10th-century square minaret with cupola. The mosque was expanded to its current size under the Almoravids in the 12th century. Surrounding it are several medersas.
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University of Cape Town
For the non-academic there’s no pressing reason to visit the University of Cape Town, but it’s nonetheless an impressive place to walk around. UCT presents a fairly cohesive architectural front, with ivy-covered neoclassical facades, and a fine set of stone steps leading to the temple-like Jameson building. Visitors can usually get parking permits at the university – call in at the information office on the entry road, near the bottom of the steps.
As you’re following the M3 from the city, just after the open paddocks on Devil’s Peak you’ll pass the old Mostert’s Mill, a real Dutch windmill dating from 1796, on the left. Just past the old windmill, also on the left,…
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