# Naples Eastern University

> university in Italy

**Wikidata**: [Q1632525](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1632525)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Naples_"L'Orientale")  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/naples-eastern-university

## Summary
Naples Eastern University (Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale") is a public university in Naples, Italy, founded in 1732. It specializes in Oriental studies, including Asian and African languages, cultures, and histories, and is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Italy. The university has undergone several name changes, reflecting its evolving academic focus over centuries.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1732 as the *Collegio dei Cinesi* (College of the Chinese).
- **Location**: Naples, Italy.
- **Specializations**: Asian and African studies, linguistics, archaeology, and international relations.
- **Memberships**: European University Association (EUA), ORCID, and Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).
- **Historical Names**: *Regio Istituto Orientale* (1888–1946), *Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"* (current name).
- **Website**: [https://www.unior.it/](https://www.unior.it/) (available in Italian and English).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Naples Eastern University founded?
A: The university was founded in 1732 as the *Collegio dei Cinesi* (College of the Chinese), making it one of Italy's oldest academic institutions.

### Q: What subjects is Naples Eastern University known for?
A: It is renowned for its programs in Oriental studies, including Asian and African languages, archaeology, and cultural studies.

### Q: Is Naples Eastern University part of any international academic networks?
A: Yes, it is a member of the European University Association (EUA) and ORCID, reflecting its commitment to global academic collaboration.

## Why It Matters
Naples Eastern University holds significant historical and academic importance as a pioneer in Oriental studies in Europe. Established during the Enlightenment, it has played a critical role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and preserving knowledge of Asian and African civilizations. Its specialized focus addresses the need for expertise in non-Western languages and cultures, contributing to fields such as diplomacy, archaeology, and comparative literature. As one of Italy's oldest universities, it maintains a legacy of scholarship while adapting to contemporary academic challenges, making it a key institution for research and education in global studies.

## Notable For
- **Oldest Oriental Studies Institution in Italy**: Founded in 1732, it is one of Europe's earliest centers for the study of Asian and African cultures.
- **Historical Name Evolution**: Reflects shifts in academic and political priorities, from *Collegio dei Cinesi* to its current name emphasizing global studies.
- **International Academic Memberships**: Part of the EUA, ORCID, and AUF, underscoring its global research collaborations.
- **Specialized Libraries and Archives**: Houses collections focused on rare manuscripts and texts related to Oriental studies.

## Body
### History
- **1732**: Founded as the *Collegio dei Cinesi* by Father Matteo Ripa to train missionaries for Asia.
- **1888**: Renamed *Regio Istituto Orientale* (Royal Oriental Institute) and expanded to include broader Asian studies.
- **1946**: Became a state university under its current name, *Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"*.
- **2002–2021**: Operated under the name *Università di Napoli "L'Orientale"* before reverting to its full title.

### Academic Focus
- **Departments**: Asian Studies, African Studies, Linguistics, Archaeology, History, and International Relations.
- **Languages Taught**: Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Sanskrit, and numerous other Asian and African languages.
- **Research Centers**: Includes institutes for manuscript studies, cultural heritage, and global governance.

### Memberships and Affiliations
- **European University Association (EUA)**: Promotes European higher education and research collaboration.
- **ORCID**: Supports transparent academic identification and research tracking.
- **Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)**: Links the university to French-speaking academic networks.

### Contact and Identifiers
- **Website**: [https://www.unior.it/](https://www.unior.it/) (Italian and English).
- **Logo**: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Logo_Università_L'Orientale.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Logo_Università_L'Orientale.svg).
- **Coordinates**: 40.845° N, 14.255° E (central Naples).

## References

1. Directory of Open Access Journals
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CiNii Research
5. Anagrafe delle biblioteche italiane
6. [Source](https://orcid.org/members/001G000001qU7jXIAS-universita-degli-studi-di-napoli-l-orientale-unior)
7. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231020113811/https://orcid.org/members)
8. [Source](https://eua.eu/about/member-directory.html)
9. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20221123144401/https://www.auf.org/les_membres/nos-membres/)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Czech National Authority Database
12. [Source](https://www.unior.it/it)
13. [Source](http://www.unior.it)
14. GRID Release 2016-05-31
15. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
16. HMML Authority File