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November

UMF Craiova in HORIZON Europe

On November 20-21, 2025, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova will host the fourth working meeting of the European consortium EARLY (Evaluating, Identifying and Reducing Determinants of Mental Health Conditions in Youth) consortium – a large-scale project funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe program (grant agreement no. 101095392), carried out between 2023 and 2027, coordinated on behalf of UMF Craiova by Prof. Mihai Pîrlog. The EARLY project aims to assess, identify, and reduce the determinants of mental health disorders among young people, contributing to the development of evidence-based interventions that support mental well-being and mental illness prevention in Europe. UMF Craiova is the sole Romanian partner in the European consortium The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is the only institution in Romania involved in this landmark international project, which brings together 19 partners from 14 countries—universities, public health organizations, NGOs, and European networks specializing in mental health. UMF Craiova contributes to the analysis of social and cultural determinants of mental health among young Romanians, as well as to the collection of representative data at national and international level, which will inform public policies and interventions tailored to the local context. A European approach to a global problem The EARLY project aims to address the critical issue of young people's mental health and reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases through a comprehensive methodology that includes: adherence to the highest ethical and legal standards, analysis of national and international data on mental health and associated factors, assessment of countries' readiness to implement youth-focused interventions, mapping of existing services and identification of gaps in support systems, qualitative interviews with young people, parents, and professionals to integrate diverse perspectives into mental health policies. The results obtained will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of mental health among young people, developing evidence-based public policies, developing effective interventions adapted to the local context, and strengthening European cooperation in the field of mental health. Partners EARLY brings together 19 partners from 14 countries, including academic institutions, public health organizations, NGOs, and public policy bodies: Universiteti i Mjekesise Tirane şi Logos University College (Albania); Universite Libre de Bruxelles (Belgia); School of Health Sciences at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Elveţia); Hochschule Emden/Leer, Technische Universitaet Muenchen şi Universitaet Augsburg (Germania); Tel Aviv University (Israel); Sapienza Universita di Roma (Italia); Societatea Psihiatrilor, Narcologilor, Psihoterapeutilor si Psihologilor Clinicieni din Moldova (Republica Moldova); Medical University of Gdańsk (Polonia); Instituto de Saude Publica da Universidade do Porto (Portugalia); Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie din Craiova (Romania); Faculty of Medicine University of Novi Sad (Serbia); Stichting WONCA Europe (WONCA Europe); Fundacion Privada Instituto de Salud Global Barcelona (Spania); The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER); Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks Europe (GAMIAN-Europe); European Public Health Association (EUPHA). More information: www.early-project.eu; https://www.umfcv.ro/ro/cercetare/granturi/evaluating-identifying-and-reducing-determinants-of-mental-health-conditions-in-youth-early

October

University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova ranks third nationally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova ranks among the top-performing academic institutions in Romania, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Positioned in the 1001–1200 range globally and 3rd nationally, UMF Craiova confirms its steady progress in education and research. This year’s edition evaluated 2,191 universities worldwide, including 22 from Romania. UMF Craiova’s presence in this ranking highlights strong performance in key areas: teaching quality, research activity, scientific impact, international outlook, and academic collaboration. “This international recognition is the result of continuous efforts and a full commitment to excellence. UMF Craiova’s achievements are due to the dedication of our faculty, researchers, and students, who contribute daily to shaping a modern, open, and competitive university. Our success is also supported by institutional partnerships developed locally, nationally, and internationally, which strengthen our research networks and academic exchange programs. These collaborations have significantly increased our visibility and helped integrate our university into the global academic community. The 2026 Times Higher Education ranking is both an acknowledgment of our present and a confirmation of UMF Craiova’s growth potential,” stated Prof. Dr. Dan Gheonea, Rector of UMF Craiova. UMF Craiova continues its development strategy by investing in research, internationalization, and the modernization of the educational process. The university aims to strengthen international academic partnerships, attract young researchers, and train a new generation of professionals ready to face the challenges of modern medicine.

September

Opening Ceremony of the Academic Year at UMF Craiova

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is opening its doors for a new academic year. On Wednesday, October 1st, at 9:00 AM, the official opening ceremony will take place in the university’s Aula Magna. This event is especially dedicated to first-year students, who will step for the first time into the academic community of UMF Craiova. The university leadership, faculty members, and senior students will offer a warm welcome message to the new generation, marking the beginning of an essential stage in their professional and personal development. After the ceremony, first-year students will receive all organizational details regarding their meeting with the faculty members, also in Aula Magna.

September

Graduation Ceremony at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Class of 2025

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is honored to announce the solemn ceremony in which the graduating class of UMF Craiova 2025 will take the Hippocratic Oath. A traditional event, the graduation ceremony celebrates the academic journey and achievements of young graduates in medical sciences. The ceremony will take place on September 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at the Polivalent Hall in Craiova. A total of 577 graduates will bid farewell to student life from the following study programs: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Medicine (English section), Dental Technology, Pharmacy, General Nursing, Balneophysiokinetotherapy and Recovery, Radiology and Medical Imaging. "The graduation ceremony is not only a celebration of years of study and the development of the skills and competencies needed by trustworthy professionals, but also a reaffirmation of our mission to train specialists dedicated to health and life. The Class of 2025 stands as proof of academic excellence and the team spirit that defines our university," stated Prof. Dr. Dan Gheonea, Rector of UMF Craiova. The event will be held in the presence of the university leadership, professors, parents, and special guests who have supported the graduates throughout their academic journey. The Graduation Ceremony at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Class of 2025 - LIVE

September

Important Discovery in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease, achieved at UMF Craiova

A team of researchers from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is making an important step in understanding how the brain can be helped to eliminate toxic substances that lead to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study, published by the UMF Craiova team in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the official journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, shows that a protein called Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), responsible for water transport in the brain, also plays a key role in clearing soluble toxic amyloid fragments. These fragments precede the formation of insoluble amyloid plaques — one of the essential pathological hallmarks of the disease, closely associated with cognitive decline. The researchers functionally tested two drugs — one that stimulates and one that inhibits AQP4 — on transgenic mice carrying human mutations that cause familial forms of AD. These mice spontaneously develop amyloid plaques. The results directly confirmed the bidirectional modulatory effect of AQP4 and its therapeutic potential: Treatment with the AQP4 facilitator led to a significant reduction in amyloid deposits in the animals’ brains, improved memory, and reduced anxiety, compared to both untreated transgenic mice and those treated with the AQP4 inhibitor. Treatment with the AQP4 inhibitor resulted in a massive increase in amyloid deposits, worsened memory deficits, and heightened anxiety, effectively accelerating the progression of the disease. Photo caption: Treatment with the AQP4 facilitator leads to a significant reduction in both the number and size of amyloid plaques in the brains of treated animals, across all analyzed anatomical regions (middle column). The discovery is significant because it confirms, in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the mechanism of action of AQP4 and opens a new direction for the development of treatments that help cerebral blood vessels eliminate toxins more efficiently. Its applicability extends not only to AD but also to other conditions associated with toxic accumulations in the brain, such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. The neuropathological study was based on full-brain scanning of the analyzed animals, at resolutions that allowed for precise quantification of amyloid plaques—including their number, shape, and density—as well as blood vessel identification and the measurement of distances between plaques and the nearest surrounding blood vessels. Each of the analyzed images ranges in size between 2 and 5 GB, and the high level of detail extracted from such a large data volume was made possible by the use of a state-of-the-art confocal microscope, unique in the world, located at UMF Craiova. This technology allows researchers to observe tissue changes at the microscopic level, with details that go beyond the physical limitations imposed by the laws of light propagation (super-resolution microscopy). The research team consists of specialists from Craiova, Cluj, and Belgium, coordinated by Dr. Daniel Pirici and Dr. Bogdan Cătălin, and is part of the PhD thesis of Dr. Marina Daniela Mănescu. 🔗Link to the article: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70164

June

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is implementing EGALMEDU

Equal access to education is not only a moral obligation but also an essential condition for a fair and functional healthcare system. Guided by this belief, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is implementing the EGALMEDU Project – Equality, Access and Support in Medical Education for Students with Disabilities. The project runs from April 11 to December 16, 2025, and represents a natural continuation of the initiative launched last year through the (diz)ABIL UMFCV project — the university’s first program dedicated to integrating students with disabilities. While the initial phase focused on building infrastructure and training academic staff, EGALMEDU aims to consolidate these efforts, expand interventions, and bring the university closer to a long-term vision of inclusion in medical education. In the first phase, the project team will select and train a group of student volunteers, some of whom are direct beneficiaries of the project. These young people will become inclusion ambassadors in educational campaigns held in schools and high schools, promoting the idea that students with disabilities have a rightful and valuable place in medical universities. The project also brings investments in technology and accessibility. IT and multimedia equipment will be procured, including voice-recognition laptops, tactile tablets, educational software for hearing and visual impairments, and adapted study materials. Academic staff will be trained to use these tools effectively to support students with disabilities. Currently, 59 students with various types of disabilities are enrolled at UMF Craiova across all study programs – Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Through the implementation of EGALMEDU, the university aims to provide not only access to courses but a fully supported and predictable educational journey, enabling each student to reach their full academic and professional potential.

June

PRESS RELEASE - UMF Craiova Celebrates a Year of Knowledge and Health

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova invites you on Friday, June 6, at 9:00 AM, in Aula Magna, to the annual gathering of the university medical community. UMF Craiova Day marks a moment of reflection and recognition of the valuable contribution made by each member of our community – faculty, researchers, students, and administrative staff – in shaping UMF Craiova into a true hub of knowledge and health. We are celebrating a year of science, education, and belonging. The academic year now coming to an end was marked by prestigious academic events, including specialized congresses in Cardiology, Shoulder Surgery, Dermatology, Occupational Medicine, Craiova Connects, and conferences dedicated to maternity and medical aesthetics. UMF Craiova has invested in the future by supporting students through conferences and workshops dedicated to PhD candidates and undergraduate students, competitions and cultural events, training sessions, and continuous development. In addition, UMF Craiova has implemented or is currently carrying out several nationally and EU-funded projects aimed at modernizing infrastructure and supporting advanced research. These include the digitalization of educational and research activities, the establishment of two new laboratories, and the modernization of over 20 study and research spaces—preparing future professionals for careers in digital fields. The university has also upgraded student and administrative areas and is building a multifunctional facility with a sports hall, reading rooms, and administrative spaces. UMF Craiova is further investing in improving campus life through an ongoing project focused on increasing energy efficiency by renovating student dormitories. Among the health research projects, we highlight: Macrophages and Brain Recovery (PNRR), which studies how inflammation impacts healing after strokes; ImmunAgeD (PNRR), focused on immune system aging and its modulation through nutrition and lifestyle; TanDeM-AGE (PNRR), analyzing accelerated epigenetic aging in tuberculosis and diabetes; ROGEN (POS), aimed at developing a national reference genome and researching rare diseases and cancer. COMPAS (PEO) supports students from vulnerable backgrounds, promoting equity in higher education, while EARLY (Horizon Europe) is a European project dedicated to improving mental health literacy and supporting youth. In 1998, through Law no. 119 of June 5, the institution became autonomous, taking its current form as the University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Over the years, UMF Craiova has expanded its academic structure to include four faculties: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing. The university continues to evolve, developing English-taught study programs, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as modern educational and research facilities, consolidating its position as a center of excellence in medical education in Romania.

March

“Dimitrie Gerota” Visual Arts Contest – Art of Anatomy, Beyond the Surface

The Efect Volunteer Program of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova Launches the First Edition of the “Dimitrie Gerota” Visual Arts Contest The Efect Volunteer Program, within the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, is proud to announce the launch of the first edition of the “Dimitrie Gerota” Visual Arts Contest, an event dedicated to the creativity and artistic expression of UMF Craiova students. This year’s theme, "Beyond the Surface: The Art of Anatomy," invites participants to explore and artistically represent the complexity and beauty of the human body, beyond the usual perceptions. It is a challenge addressed to young people passionate about both art and medicine, who see anatomy not only as a subject of study but also as a source of visual inspiration. Registration period: April 7 – May 25, 2025 Eligible participants: UMF Craiova students Maximum number of works: 3 works per student Accepted media: Canvas on stretcher frame, cardboard or canvas panel, wood, drawing paper Permitted techniques: Oil painting, acrylic, watercolor, pencil drawing The contest aims to provide students with a platform for authentic artistic expression, while also fostering a dialogue between science and art, through an interdisciplinary approach to medical training. Through this initiative, the Efect Program encourages the development of the humanistic dimension of future doctors, offering them a space to express their sensitivity, vision, and passion. Register here!

March

Conference for the Launch of the Project "COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future"

Project co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) through the Education and Employment Program 2021 – 2027 Call for Projects: PEO/291/PEO_P6/OP4/ESO4.6/PEO_A40 „First Student in the Family” – Less Developed Regions Project Title: "COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future" SMIS Code: 325402 PRESS RELEASE March 27, 2025 LAUNCH OF THE PROJECT COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future The University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Craiova, as the Beneficiary, in partnership with the Association Always for Europe, the Association for the Promotion of Youth in Craiova (APT-C), and the Henri Coandă Theoretical High School in Craiova, announces the launch of the project titled "COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future", SMIS Code 325402, Funding Contract: G2025-3981/ 20.01.2025. The overall objective of the project is to increase access to and participation in tertiary education in the South-West Oltenia region, by facilitating the transition to university studies for 156 high school students and 20 high school graduates who did not pass the baccalaureate exam, coming from disadvantaged groups. This will be achieved through measures to prevent and combat university dropout among 176 students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as through actions aimed at making higher education institutions more accessible over the course of 3 years. The project has a duration of 36 months and will be implemented from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2028. The total value of the project is 7,948,134.47 RON, of which the non-reimbursable co-financing from the European Union is 6,755,914.30 RON. The goal of the project is to implement educational and socio-economic support measures – preventive measures, intervention measures, and compensatory measures – that will ensure the integration and retention of children and young people from disadvantaged families in pre-university and university education, thereby contributing to “creating the framework that allows equitable access to quality university studies for every young person, regardless of their socio-economic background, without any form of discrimination.” Target group: 156 students at ISCED level 3-4, enrolled in public pre-university educational institutions, in at least the 11th grade, coming from families with low parental educational levels/meet the conditions for receiving social scholarships/are of Roma ethnicity; 20 high school graduates from the last 2 school years prior to the school year when the project becomes operational, who have not passed the baccalaureate exam, residing in the South-West Oltenia region; 176 students enrolled in an ISCED level 5-6 program, who do not already hold a bachelor's degree and come from families with low parental educational levels/meet the conditions for receiving social scholarships/are of Roma ethnicity. Proposed Results – High school students: 176 individuals will receive counseling, facilitating the transition to university education and contributing to an increase in the number of target group members who wish to become students; At least 100 students and high school graduates will be supported to facilitate the transition to higher education through remedial activities; 156 individuals will benefit from subsidies, and 20 students will receive free accommodation and meals in the dormitory; Students will benefit from informational caravans, workshops promoting new work models and skills for a sustainable future, organized visits to higher education institutions, support groups, and Roma culture workshops. Proposed Results – Students: 176 individuals will receive counseling, and at least 100 students will be supported through remedial activities to prevent and combat university dropout, contributing to an increase in the number of target group members who complete their university studies; 176 students will benefit from subsidies, and 10 students will receive accommodation and meals in the dormitory; Students will benefit from a virtual freshman guide, guided campus tours organized for new students, informal activities with faculty members and senior students, study skills development workshops, and peer tutoring programs; A Remedial Learning Center will be established, providing the necessary framework for learning and personal development for 100 students; Access for individuals with disabilities will be facilitated through the purchase of 20 adapted desks for individuals with disabilities, the installation of a servo-chair for disability access, the purchase of a video documentation, video management, and video streaming system, and the acquisition of specific licenses. Contact Information for the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Craiova: Str. Petru Rareș nr. 2, Craiova, 200349 Phone: +40351 443 561 Email: rector@umfcv.ro Website: https://new.umfcv.ro/

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Events

April

UMF Craiova

Craiova Connects, 2026

Distinguished Colleagues, We are pleased to announce that between April 2nd and 4th, 2026, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova will host the 5th edition of Craiova Connects Congress — a landmark academic event in Romania, renowned for.. Read more ›››

National Congress of Aesthetic, Antiaging & Dermatocosmetic Medicine

May

UMF Craiova

National Congress of Aesthetic, Antiaging & Dermatocosmetic Medicine

Dear colleagues, We invite you to mark in your calendar an essential meeting for professionals in the field of medical aesthetics, anti-aging and dermatocosmetics! The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova has the pleasure to organize this .. Read more ›››

National Conference of Biophysics with International Participation – CNB 2026

September

UMF Craiova-Corpul A'

National Conference of Biophysics with International Participation – CNB 2026

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova will host the National Conference of Biophysics with International Participation – CNB 2026 (19th edition), taking place between September 3–5, 2026. The conference will bring together approximately .. Read more ›››

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UMF Craiova in HORIZON Europe

University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova ranks third nationally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026

Opening Ceremony of the Academic Year at UMF Craiova

Graduation Ceremony at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Class of 2025

Important Discovery in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease, achieved at UMF Craiova

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is implementing EGALMEDU

PRESS RELEASE - UMF Craiova Celebrates a Year of Knowledge and Health

“Dimitrie Gerota” Visual Arts Contest – Art of Anatomy, Beyond the Surface

Conference for the Launch of the Project "COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future"

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Events

UMF Craiova

Craiova Connects, 2026

UMF Craiova

National Congress of Aesthetic, Antiaging & Dermatocosmetic Medicine

UMF Craiova-Corpul A'

National Conference of Biophysics with International Participation – CNB 2026

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