In 1506 the elector Joachim I established the first University of the county of Brandenburg in Frankfurt (Oder), the »Alma mater Viadrina«. It was thought a significant educational institution for the Prussian Public Servant state. It consisted of four faculties: law, theology, medicine and philosophy. The list of significant names, which have studied here, is long: lawyers, theologians, and professors of medicine. Famous students during those times included for example Thomas Müntzer, Ulrich von Hutten, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the brothers Humboldt and Heinrich von Kleist to name but a few. Even in those times the Frankfurt University was a preferred meeting place between East and West. Young people from the Märkisch (marches) surrounding areas, the Silesian and the Lausitzer surrounding area, but especially from Poland studied here. 1811 the Alma Mater Viadrina was closed, moved to Breslow and amalgamated with the Leopoldina University. The University of Berlin established in 1810 was too much of a competition. 1990 the »Society of Patrons and Friends of the University of Frankfurt« was established – the idea of re-establishing a university in Frankfurt was born. The opening of the new University and the establishment of a formation senate under the principal Prof.Dr. Knut Ipsen followed just six months later. Another year later, on 19.10.1992 the first academic year commenced at the Viadrina. 1998 the Collegium Pollonicum was opened on the Oder embankment of the Polish neighbouring town of Slubice: a joined teaching and research facility of the European University Viadrina and the Adam-Mickiewicz University in Poznan. Bit by bit more University buildings have been added, for example the University complex in the August-Bebel Street (a former army barrack building), the new complex for the lecture theatre and the student refectory at the Europa Platz (»Gräfin-Dönhoff-Gebäude«) and the Auditorium Maximum. The Europa Universität Viadrina sees its main focus as being a meeting place for young people from East and West – thoroughly in the tradition of the former »Alma mater Viadrina«.    < return