Zadar has a centuries-old university tradition, the longest in Croatia: following the tradition of ecclesiastical education, first mentioned in the 10th century, a Dominican higher education institution Studium generale, later known as the Universitas Iadertina, was founded as early as 14 June 1396. The modern development of higher education in Zadar started in 1955 with passing of the Act on Founding the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Philosophy in Zadar, affiliated to the University of Split in 1974. The Croatian Parliament founded the University of Zadar in 2002, or more precisely renewed regarding its 14th century higher education tradition. Today, the University of Zadar is the largest integrated University in the Republic of Croatia, which includes 25 university departments, four scientific-research centres and two active centres for professional and teaching activities. The total number of students in the above mentioned studies is 6000, and the total number of the University’s employees is 590 (422 teaching staff and the University’s services employ 168 staff members).* * Data from 19 April 2017