EUCLID was named after the Greek mathematician Euclid (about 300 BC). He is sometimes called Euclid of Alexandria to distinguish him from Euclides of Megara. Euclid (whose name means "glorious" or "renowned" in Greek), is often referred to as the "founder/father of geometry." He was active in Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy I (323–283 BC).
His book "Elements" is one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics, serving as the main textbook for teaching mathematics (especially geometry) from the time of its publication until the late 19th. "Elements" proposed a means to establish truth by proof which was influential on such figures as Abraham Lincoln.
Non-Euclian geometry is a form of geometry introduced as the model for Einstein's theory of general relativity.
The institution was named after Euclid for a number of reasons:
- the two founding rectors (Faustin Touadéra and Rodoumta Koina) were mathematicians
- Euclid's writings have to do with proof and sound reasoning
- Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries have to do with the ability to establish and challenges major paradigms.
EUCLID is capitalized when used as standalone name (it is the official short form) but is not an acronym. The official long name form is Euclid University in English and Pôle Universitaire Euclide in French.
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