Egypt's renowned Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest Islamic universities in the world, will open a branch in Bangladesh's Rajshahi. The university has decided to open its pre-university branch at the Darus Salam Kamil Madrasha in Rajshahi. Deputy Head of Mission of Egypt Embassy Mariam M Ragaei visited the madrasa Thursday. Read Bill placed in JS to set up another science and technology university The opening of a pre-university branch by Al-Azhar has already been approved, officials said. Al-Azhar and Darus Salam will conduct classes from nursery to XII. For decades, students from Africa to Asia have flocked to Al-Azhar University, the highest seat of learning in Sunni Islam, to learn about Islam, Arabic and attend other non-religious programmes. Al-Azhar, an institution widely regarded as a source of Islamic jurisprudence, law, and customs, was founded in Cairo, Egypt in 970 AD. And despite not gaining university status until 1961, it is still technically among the world's oldest universities. Read Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar appointed as VC of Rajshahi University  For over a millennium, it has been a hugely respected centre of Islamic learning and began as a "madrasa," teaching students from primary to tertiary level. It is the only ancient university in the Arabic world to survive as a modern university by including secular subjects in the curriculum and now offers programmes in business, economics, science, medicine, engineering and agriculture, besides its prestigious Islamic teachings. Read ‘Bangabandhu Corner’ set up at Seoul National University Library