Asmara has always been a national centre of education, and is home to many elementary and high schools. Since 1958, it has been the home of the University of Asmara. In 2006, following the opening of a university at Mai Nefhi, the University of Asmara was shut down. During the period of Ethiopian Federation and annexation, the university was also linked with what was then the nation's largest tertiary institution, Addis Ababa University.