Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania has earned a stellar reputation for its medical training and graduates. The institution is named after Carol Davila, a Romanian physician of French origin who founded the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, in 1857. Created as part of the University of Bucharest, this institution is considered as one of the most prestigious of its kind in Romania and is classified as an advanced research and education university by the Romanian Ministry of Education.
Carol Davila University was the home of many renowned medical professors such as the Nobel Prize laureate George Emil Palade, Ion Cantacuzino, Victor Babes, George Marinescu and Carole Davila among the greatest persons that craved their imprint and left a legacy in many medical specialties in Romania and abroad. Ioanel Sinescu, Rector, points out “The University is not very old, next year we will celebrate 160 years, but it is very prestigious, doctors and teachers from Carol Davila founded four medical specialties worldwide, now they are their promoters in the world”.
Today, over 20.000 students are enrolled at the University, including around 1.000 foreign students, which have an option of taking courses in English during their first two years. The University provides a six-year programme in medicine, for the new certified physicians, and advanced post-graduate trainings in medical specialties are also offered. Students can also choose a three-year nursing programme in registered nursing, nursing for imaging and radiology, clinical laboratory, nursing for balneo-physiotherapy and recuperation, or nursing for nutrition and dietetics. The University’s Faculty of Dentistry provides highly scientific and practical studies in dental medicine with length of six years and three-year studies in dental techniques, while the Faculty of Pharmacy has a five-year programme for pharmacists and a three-year programme for pharmacy assistants.
Fundeni clinical institute – excellence in medical services
Founded in 1959, the institute performs wide spectrum of activities, such as medical research, medical education and post-academic coordination of national health programs, organ transplants, cell therapies, scientific services, utilization of research results and scientific and educational medical activities. This interdisciplinary medical centre has a long tradition in difficult cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal and hematologic pathology. Ioanel Sinescu, says, “We perform over 500 surgeries annually, from a specific pathology. When you add up the number of cases and statistics for the other pathologies we cover, we reach an impressive number, providing real and outstanding performance”. He adds, “In terms of professionalism, the standard is very high, in terms of scientific research and medical publishing, we are again well placed. And we have one major goal – to create more correlations and international collaborations to access large programs of research offered by the European Union”.
International cooperation as a priority
The university has always placed a high priority on international cooperation and is currently partnering with 84 universities worldwide. Rector Ioanel Sinescu points out, “The University of Medicine and Pharmacy welcomes European and global partnerships, particularly the chance to get involved with our European colleagues in EU research projects. This university’s prestigious track record of high-quality training and research makes it a valued partner in any type of medical endeavour.”
Developing new state-of-the-art university campus
One of the University’s major goals is to upgrade and expand its capacities and infrastructure. The Faculty of Medicine is currently stated in Cotroceni, donated building, which was originally the private residence of the first Dean of Medicine. While these structures are full of history and character, the enlargement of the University creates a need for new capacities. Ioanel Sinescu, adds, “The buildings where the Faculty of Dentistry is stated, are also historical monuments, they must be strengthened in terms of structural strength and they are no longer corresponding to the requirements of modern medical education that provides conditions for foreign students.”
Striving to meet the capacity needs brought by the continuous growth, the University launched a major modernization project. Ioanel Sinescu, explains, “The Cotroceni building was conceived for 400 students and now around 4.500 are using it. The university needs modern facilities which match the high-quality medical training provided by our dedicated teachers. When the new campus is completed, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Carol Davila will be once again, what it was 100 years ago – the best medical university in this part of the world and one that is at the level of any other medical school in Europe.”
Future built on science, professionalism and good practice
The University is equipped with highly qualified and specialized scientific stuff. Many young teachers are already engaged in various training programs through Erasmus and trough collaboration with other universities in Europe, afterwards dedicating their careers in research, medical practice or academic life. Ioanel Sinescu concludes, “All the people working here, all its members and community are willing to upgrade our University. Their endeavours are directed towards the development of new university campus, in order to increase the level of medical education, to form better graduates, physicians, better specialists in the medical field, and to reach the highest European level in the academic, professional and research area of medicine and biology.”
