Best viewed on black ! Coimbra university from the river. The university was founded, or ratified, in 1290 by King Dinis, having begun its existence in Lisbon with the name Studium Generale (Estudo Geral). Scientiae thesaurus mirabilis, the royal charter announcing the institution of the University was dated 1 March of that year, although efforts had been made at least since 1288 to create this first University in Portugal; it is thus one the oldest of such establishments in the Iberian Peninsula. The Papal confirmation was also given in 1290 (on 9 August of that year), during the Papacy of the Pope Nicholas IV. In accordance with the Papal Bull, all the "licit" Faculties, with the exception of that of Theology, could be established. Thus the Faculties of Arts, Law, Canon Law and Medicine were the first to be created. It was, however, not to remain in Lisbon for long. In 1308, likely due to problems of emancipation from the Church (relations between the latter and the political power being somewhat strained at the time) and conflicts between the inhabitants of the city and the students, the University moved to Coimbra. This town already had old traditions in education, being home to the highly successful school of the Monastery of Santa Cruz. The university was then established on the site known as "Estudos Velhos", which corresponds roughly to the area where the Main Library now stands.In 1338, during the reign of Afonso IV, it was once again transferred to Lisbon, from whence it returned in 1354, this time to the centre of the town which was then in full expansion. In 1377, during the reign of King Fernando, it was transferred yet again to Lisbon, where it would remain for over a century and a half. The authorization for a Faculty of Theology probably dates from this period – around 1380.In 1537, during the reign of Joao III, the university moved definitively to Coimbra, where it was installed in the Alcacova Palace. The entire university institution, including the teaching staff and all the books from its library, were moved from Lisbon to Coimbra. At the same time, university colleges were created (abolished in the 19th century), a restructuring of the curricula was undertaken and new teachers, both Portuguese and foreign, were admitted.In the 18th century, the Marquis of Pombal, Minister of the kingdom, made radical reforms in the University, especially regarding the teaching of sciences, in accordance to his Enlightenment and anticlerical creed.During many decades it was the only university in Portugal, since its foundation in 1290 until 1559 (a university in Evora operated between 1559 and 1759), and again between 1759 and 1911 (University of Lisbon and University of Porto were created in 1911). The long history and past predominance of the University of Coimbra made it an important focus of influence in Portugal, not only educational, but also political and social.Initial steps towards some convergence of European higher education systems were taken with the signature of the Sorbonne declaration by the Ministers in charge of higher education in France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany, in 1998, and later, in 1999, with the signature of the Bologna declaration. The Bologna process, aimed at creating a European Higher Education Area by implementing a comparable degree structure, common quality assurance standards and by promoting the mobility of students and faculty members, was a major revolution in Europe's higher education. Globalization, technological change and increased international competition for scarce high-skilled labor highlighted the importance of making European higher education institutions attractive and competitive worldwide. A more integrated European Higher Education Market enhanced competition between European universities—a necessary condition for producing leading-edge innovations and for catching up with the US economy. In Portugal, the University of Coimbra decided to defer the adoption of the new Bologna Process model from 2006 to 2007/2008 (with exceptions authorized for a few programs on which a national consensus for change had been reached among institutions) in order to make the transition maintaining the highest standards of quality and academic integrity. Only in the 2008/2009 school year did the entire university fully adopt the new programs within its 8 faculties

Mr Zephaniah is well-known for speaking out on political issues as well as writing reggae or ‘dub’ poetry, releasing records and writing books and articles for a wide range of publications. He has a connection with the city because Hull Truck theatre gave him a platform at the beginning of his career. Professor Martin Goodman, Director of the University’s Philip Larkin Centre for Poetry and Creative Writing, was Mr Zephaniah’s presenting officer at the ceremony. He said: “Benjamin Zephaniah is a true bard. His performances strike chords in audiences around the globe, and he has a special skill and passion for connecting with youngsters. We’re delighted to connect his brilliance and verve to Hull.” Born and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham, the poet’s work is strongly influenced by Jamaican music and poetry and by what he calls ‘street politics’. He made his first public performance in church aged 10, and by the time he was 15 he had a reputation as a young poet capable of speaking on local and international issues. As an adult, he was invited by Nelson Mandela to host the Two Nations concert at Albert Hall in 1996. He has appeared on television programmes ranging from Eastenders to The South Bank Show and is involved in a range of organisations from the Hackney Empire Theatre to the Vegan Society. He is the only living non-royal to have a hospital ward named after him: the Benjamin Zephaniah Ward in Ealing Hospital, London. When receiving his degree, he said to students that the University is associated with some great poets and he encouraged them to put some poetry in their lives.