University of Göttingen

University of Göttingen

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Latin: Universitas Regiæ Georgiæ Augustæ
Motto	In publica commoda (Latin) Zum Wohle aller (German)
Motto in English	For the good of all
Type	Public Law foundation (Stiftung öffentlichen Rechts, since 2003)
Established	1734
Budget	€1.05 billion (2012)
President	Ulrike Beisiegel
Academic staff	4,238
Administrative staff	7,683
Students	26,381
Location	Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Affiliations	German Excellence Universities Coimbra Group EUA U4 Network
Website	www.uni-goettingen.de

The University of Göttingen (German: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, GAU), known informally as Georgia Augusta, is a public comprehensive research university in the city of Göttingen, Germany. Founded in 1734 by George II, King of Great Britain and Elector of Hanover, and starting classes in 1737, the university is the oldest in the state of Lower Saxony and the largest in student enrollment, which stands at around 26,000. Home to many noted figures, it represents one of Germany's historic and traditional institutions. Göttingen has been called "the city of science".

Göttingen is one of the most prestigious universities in Germany, previously supported by the German Universities Excellence Initiative. With membership in Coimbra Group and around 40 Nobel Prize winners, the university enjoys great international renown. The university maintains strong connections with major research institutes based in Göttingen as well, especially those of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science and the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Scientific Community. With approximately 8 million media units, the Göttingen State and University Library ranks among the largest libraries in Germany.

In 1734, King George II of Great Britain, who was also Elector of Hanover, gave his Prime Minister in Hanover, Gerlach Adolph von Münchhausen, the order to establish a university in Göttingen to propagate the ideas of academic freedom and enlightenment at the times of the European Enlightenment. Initially, the only new buildings constructed for the opening of the university were a riding hall and a fencing house, while courses were taught in the Paulinerkirche and associated Dominican monastery, or in the homes of professors. No university auditorium was built until well into the 19th century.