Education in the Republic of Dubrovnik played a key role in shaping the social and cultural identity of the city. Initially, Latin schools provided basic education, while vocational schools and later gymnasiums and lyceums offered advanced studies in various disciplines. The church was the central institution in the management of the education system, and families often organized private tuition, especially for noblewomen. The people of Dubrovnik also studied at prestigious Italian universities, bringing new knowledge back to their city. The people of Dubrovnik used the new knowledge acquired in Italy at the Dubrovnik College, Colleginum Ragusinum. The importance of education in the Republic of Dubrovnik is confirmed by the fact that every year the Senate had 6 nobles and 2 commoners at the university in Italy. The Republic took care not only of gifted students and nobles, but also of the "less" gifted ones, as well as commoners. Prominent scientists and writers such as Marin Držić, Ruđer Bošković, Marin Getaldić and Cvijeta Zuzorić contributed significantly to the intellectual and cultural life of Dubrovnik, making it an important center in the Mediterranean.