The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova (UMF Craiova) holds a significant place in Romania's medical-education landscape. The Romanian healthcare system dates back to the 1700s, and notable figures like George Emil Palade, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1974, and Nicolae Paulescu, who discovered insulin, have contributed to the country's medical legacy.
The university was founded in 1970, as the faculty of medicine at the University of Craiova. Over time, the institution expanded, adding a dentistry specialisation in 1990 and a faculty of pharmacy in 1996. In 1998, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova gained autonomy as a separate university, detached from the University of Craiova.
The university consists of several faculties, each catering to different aspects of medical education. The faculty of medicine, in particular, has a strong international presence and is known for its non-political approach to education, focusing on academic and administrative separation.
The faculty of medicine offers over 77 courses across 15 departments, with an annual student population exceeding 1,500. Upon completing their studies, graduates are accredited to practise medicine in all EU member states. Additionally, the university offers postgraduate education, such as residency, master's, and doctoral programmes, allowing students to further specialise and advance in their medical careers.
Research is a vital aspect of the university’s activities, and its research centre was established in 2008. Well-equipped with modern technology, including a PET-CT scanner, a cyclotron facility, a confocal laser endomicroscope, an optical coherence tomograph and a real-time PCR device, the research centre has published more than 100 research papers in the last five years.
UMF Craiova is also actively engaged in international collaborations with educational and research institutions from various countries, and is a member of several international organisations, including the Association for Medical Education in Europe and the Association of Medical Schools in Europe.
