Transilvania University of Brașov

The foundations of higher education in Brașov were laid in 1948, when the Institute of Silviculture was founded. In 1949, the Institute of Mechanics was established, and in 1953, the Institute of Silviculture became the Forestry Institute. The two institutes fused into the Polytechnic Institute of Braşov. In 1959 the Department of Wood Industry and in 1964 the Manufacturing Technologies Department were founded within the Polytechnic Institute. In 1960, the Pedagogic Institute (Mathematics, Physics-Chemistry, Biology) came into being in Brașov, followed by the Department of Music in 1969[8]. In 1964, the Department of Manufacturing Technologies was founded within the Polytechnic Institute. In 1971, the Polytechnic Institute and the Pedagogic Institute merged to create the University of Braşov. The University’s structure as approved by Council of Ministers Decision No. 1285/October 15^th, 1971 comprised eight faculties: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Wood Industry, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Physics–Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Music. In 1991, the University was renamed as Transilvania University of Braşov, at the University Senate’s request and according to the Government Decision of January 4^th, 1991 and the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science No. 4894/March 22^nd, 1991[8].  

The academic year 1990-1991 marked the establishment of several other faculties: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Music, Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Economic Sciences, and a few other educational units were set up the following year: the Faculty of Medicine and two academic colleges, one of Forestry and another of Economics and Computer Science.

In 1995, the Department of Psychology – Pedagogy – Teaching Methodology, on the structure of which the University Pedagogical Seminar was established, became the Department of Teaching Staff Training, and the Faculty of Machine Building Technology was divided into: The Faculty of Technological Engineering and the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering.

In 1998, the “Local contact point in the field of Distance Learning”, within the network of Distance Learning Study Centres and created through the PHARE programme, became the Department for Distance Learning, which in 2005 changed its name to the Centre for Distance Learning and Part-time Studies.

In 2001, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering expanded its array of specializations, thus having its name changed to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

In 2002, the Faculty of Law and Sociology emerged from the Faculty of Economics, and the Faculty of Sciences divided into three faculties: The Faculty of Mathematics-Informatics, the Faculty of Letters and the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education. The Pedagogical and Philological University College and the Medical University College were established in the same year.

In 2003, the Faculty of Civil Engineering was created from the Faculty of Silviculture, and the Faculty of Mechanicsbecame the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

In 2004, the already existing Department of Psychology - Pedagogy – Teaching Methodology was established as an autonomous structure, namely the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences.

In 2010, the Faculty of Law and Sociology was redefined by two new structures, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Sociology and Communication, the latter setting up a new undergraduate programme in 2017, Digital Media.

Starting with the academic year 2005-2006, the didactic activity is organized by study cycles: undergraduate studies, master's studies and doctoral studies. New curricula and new syllabi were designed, modern teaching, learning and assessment methods were introduced, which took account of the acquisition of knowledge and the creation of skills required of graduates on the labour market.

The institution has been managed since its foundation by[8][9]:

The University’s 18 faculties[10] offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree study programmes, as well as distance learning, full-time and part-time study programmes.  

The current study programmes have been developed in order to enhance the teaching processes and to ensure the graduates’ real chances of accessing the European labour market, thus taking into account both the needs identified at the economic and socio-cultural level, as well as similar study programmes in prestigious European universities[11].

The permanent adaptation of the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees study programmes to the market requirements has led to the creation of Bachelor-Master-Doctorate routes, integrated in a modern and flexible structure, accessible to students as early as admission and enabling them to make educational choices which best fit their aspirations and abilities[12].

Internationalization is a strategic objective of Transilvania University of Brașov, which is achieved by means of several measures, such as: developing partnerships with higher education and scientific research institutions around the world, ensuring the framework for student and teacher mobility, participation in international education and research projects, conducting joint or double-degree study programmes in partnership with universities abroad. Currently, Transilvania University of Brașov has concluded partnership agreements with over 500 institutions from more than 80 countries on all continents [13]. Seeking to intensify this process, the University invests part of its own funds to support a series of programmes such as: Transilvania Academica Scholarship – a scholarship granted to international students, Transilvania Fellowship for Young Researchers, Transilvania Fellowship for Visiting Professors, Romanian Diaspora at Transilvania University, Rector’s Guests at Transilvania University (by which remarkable specialists from abroad are invited to the University, Artist in residence @ Tranilvania University[13].

The University’s results and performance are reflected in the rapid position climb in the international rankings (e.g., QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia, U-Multirank, Scimago Institutions Ranking, University Ranking by Academic Performance, etc.).

UNITBV occupies honorary positions in the University Metarank as well, having been enlisted in the international visibility ranking of Romanian universities ever since its first edition, published in 2016[14].

An international ranking that evaluates higher education institutions according to how they align with the sustainable development objectives established by ONU, Impact Rankings 2020[15], made public by Times Higher Education – World University Rankings[16] , includes 767 universities from 85 countries. UNITBV is ranked within the range 301–400 and third out of seven Romanian universities which are listed in this ranking.

Transilvania University of Brașov is the only university in Romania that has built its own multidisciplinary research institute. At the time of completion, in 2013, the University’s Research and Development Institute was the largest investment in research infrastructure that a Romanian university made attracting European funds[17].

The Research-Development Institute of Transilvania University of Brașov (ICDT) was established through a structural funds project intended primarily to facilitate the increase of the University’s competitiveness in national and international research. In addition, the development of the Institute also aimed at anchoring the University in the business environment of the region, through technology transfer and the development of applied research, in close connection with local and regional needs for research-development-innovation[18][19].

The scientific research at the University has been structured on 30 priority, interdisciplinary fields that enable its successful integration in the European Research Area[20].

The 30 research centres are:

1) Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling

2) High-Tech Products for the Automotive Industry

3) Numerical Simulation, Testing and Mechanics of Composite Materials

4) Sustainable Forestry and Wildlife Management

5) Forest Engineering, Forest Management and Terrestrial Measurements

6) Advanced Mechatronic Systems

7) Advanced Manufacturing Technologies and Systems

8) Economic Engineering and Production Systems

9) Eco-Biotechnologies and Equipment in Food and Agriculture

10) Advanced Electrical Systems

11) Advanced Metal, Ceramics and MMC-Composite Materials and Technologies

12) Process Control Systems

13) Industrial Informatics and Robotics

14) Furniture Eco-Design, Restoration and Certification in the Wood Industry

15) Advanced Welding Eco-Technologies

16) Embedded Systems and Advanced Communications

17) Innovative Technologies and Advanced Products in the Wood Industry  

18) Mathematical Modelling and Software Products

19) Economic Research

20) Fundamental Research and Prevention Strategies in Medicine

21) Applied Medicine and Interventional Strategies in Medical Practice

22) Cultural Innovation and Creativity

23) Theoretical and Applied Linguistics

24) Life Quality and Human Performance

25) Design of Mechanical Elements and Systems

26) Communication and Social Innovation

27) Personal, Professional and Institutional Development and Education for a Sustainable Community

28) Centre for Law Studies “Emil Poenaru”  

29) The Science of Music – Excellence in Music Performance

30) Civil Engineering Design Centre of the PRO-DD Institute

The 11 buildings of the Institute, which currently house 30 research centres, have high energy autonomy and comprise a modern and complex research infrastructure, consisting of integrated lines of high-tech equipment for advanced research in the field of sustainable development. The institute ensures the creation of an optimal environment for study, research, testing and experimentation, it offers the possibility of incorporating a large number of technological equipment close to the study spaces, it opens up perspectives for interdisciplinary collaboration by including a number of research centres from different fields, it offers a generous space for (applied) research thereby encouraging collaborative work in research-development-innovation with local companies, through the development of joint teams[18].

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  Opening of the Concert Season (October 1, 2018) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Romania-Turkmenistan Interuniversity Collaboration Agreement (October 2018) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  70^th anniversary of the University (October 26, 2018) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Erasmus Day at Transilvania University of Brașov (2018) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Launch of Benchmark laboratory within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (2018) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  The annual event Graduates in front of companies (AFCO 2019) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Transilvania Excellence Scholarship Awards (June 25, 2019) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Colina Campus (2019) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Event dedicated to first year students: Orientation Days (September 30, 2019) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Concert for students at the opening of the new academic year (September 30, 2019) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Launch of the University’s Chamber Orchestra (October 1, 2019) Photo Credit: UNITBV
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  Rectorate Building (May 2020) Photo Credit: UNITBV

Transilvania University of Brașov provides 13 dormitories for student housing, with a total of 4,234 beds. The dormitories are distributed across two campuses, namely Colina Campus and Memorandului Campus. UNITBV also has two cafeterias, one in each campus, which serve 1,000 students daily.

Additionally, students can purchase food from Colina Market, a grocery store managed by the UNITBV Foundation. On sunny days, students can enjoy the store’s terrace. Next to Colina Market is Colina Club, a place for fun and recreational activities, equipped with ping-pong, pool, and foosball tables.

Within the Colina Campus complex is also Colina Arena, an outdoor soccer field covered with artificial turf where the students compete in the traditional soccer event Colina League Cup every autumn. Close to Colina Arena are four other indoor gyms for students, two of which are multipurpose ones, one is used for gymnastics, and another for fitness[4][25].

The students at Transilvania University of Brașov take part in various scientific, cultural, sports, and administrative activities every year. They also participate in internal project competitions which are financed by the University and aim at providing solutions for the continuous improvement of student life on the University Campus[4][25].

Every year, the students of the BlueStreamline team represent Transilvania University at international level, in the formula-style races organized within the Formula Student competition[26].

The relation of Transilvania University of Brașov with the economic and socio-cultural environment of Brașov is a priority and consists in promoting common activities (university – companies / institutions) by involving the students. Among the many common projects, some annual traditional events worth mentioning are AFCO (Graduates in front of the Companies), SCSS (Students Scientific Sessions), TSE (Transilvania Summer Event) Summer School, the Companies’ Podium, as well as the joint drafting of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral theses[4] .

A series of programmes of Transilvania University of Brașov are aimed at supporting students with outstanding performances. The University Supports Performance, Supporting High School Valedictorians who become students at the University or Supporting Graduate Valedictorians who continue their studies by attending the University’s Master’s degree programmes are some examples of the kind.

The following legally established student associations operate at Transilvania University of Brașov[4] :

·       AIESEC Brașov, No. 32, Memorandului st., dormitory 8, room 200;

·       BEST- Board of European Students of Technology, No. 1, Universității st., dormitory 15, 5^th floor, room 510;

·       ASCOR – Asociația Studenților Creștini Ortodocși Români (Association of Romanian Orthodox Christian Students), No. 32, Memorandului st., dormitory 8, ground floor;

·       ASUT- Asociația Studenților din Universitatea Transilvania din Brașov (Students’ Association of Transilvania University of Brașov), No. 32, Memorandului st., dormitory 8, 3^rd floor;

·       ASSM- Asociația Științifică a Studenților Mediciniști (Scientific Association of Medical Students), No. 56, Nicolae Bălcescu st., K Building- S1;

·       ELSA- European Law Students Association , No. 25, Eroilor Blvd., T Building, room TS5;

·       ATBB- Asociația Tinerilor Basarabeni Brașov (Bessarabian Youth Association Brașov), No. 25, Eroilor Blvd., TBuilding, room TS1;

Transilvania University of Brașov has a complex and modern infrastructure appropriate for facilitating the educational and research processes[2][17].  The buildings are scattered throughout the city and most of them are grouped together on Colina Campus.

Each faculty has developed its own modern labs suitable for the students in the undergraduate and graduate study programmes, which are equipped with the latest devices, IT infrastructure, hardware and software specific to every area of expertise. The University has collaborated directly with companies and firms that have invested in the development of these well-equipped labs[27][28][29].

During the last years, Transilvania University of Brașov has made significant investments in expanding the infrastructure necessary for the teaching process[2]. Twenty-three amphitheatres have been modernized and 300 didactic labs have been developed.

To ensure the modern tools for the teaching-learning-assessment process, the eLearning platform became accessible in 2008 and was optimized in 2017 and in 2020[30]. Access to the platform is facilitated via six computer rooms open to all students and particularly via the Internet network set up on the University’s campuses.

There are two main student campuses within Transilvania University of Brașov: Memorandului (Memo) and Colina. Memo Complex consists of eight dormitories with a total number of 2,534 accommodation places and a cafeteria, and Colina Complex has five dormitories with a total number of 1,700 accommodation places and a cafeteria. Colina Campus also includes a multipurpose sports field equipped with a light pole – Colina Arena, and a pool and ping-pong club – Colina Club[4][25].  

Colina Campus - A-I, L Buildings, No. 1, Universității st., 500068 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Faculty of Technological Engineering and Industrial Management, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Product Design and Environment, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Faculty of Wood Engineering

J Building, No. 5, Turnului st., 500152 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Medicine

K Building, No. 56, Nicolae Bălcescu st., 500019 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences

N Building, No. 1, Politehnicii st., 500024 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Food and Tourism

P Building, No. 50, Iuliu Maniu st., 500091 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

R Building, No. 148, Castelului st., 500014 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Food and Tourism

S Building, No. 1, Șirul Beethoven st., 500123 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering

T Building, No. 25, Eroilor Blvd., 500030 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Law, Faculty of Letters,  Faculty of Sociology and Communication

V Building, No. 5, Mihai Viteazul st., 5000174 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Z Building, No. 2, Andrei Șaguna st., 500123 Brașov[31]

−      Faculty of Music

Rectorate Building, No. 29, Eroilor Blvd., 500036 Brașov[31]

Sergiu T. Chiriacescu Aula, University Library and Transilvania University Publishing House, No. 41A, Iuliu Maniu st., 500091 Brașov[31]

The graduates of Transilvania University of Brașov represent the institution through nationally and internationally successful careers both in the academic and in the socio-economic environment. Thereby, these graduates are the University’s ambassadors in a wide array of fields: education, sports, music, engineering, culture, working in national and international organizations and institutions or in their own companies[32].

• Andreea Acatrinei – Gymnast, bronze with the Romanian gymnastics team at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
• Marcian Cristea – University professor, Ruskin University England, Great Britain
• Rareș Dumitrescu – Fencer, silver with the Romanian sword team at the London 2012 Olympic Games
• Felix Golbac – Professor, School Inspector, Bucharest
• Iosif  Grămadă – Professor, Principal of the “Tudor Ciortea” High School, Brașov
• Victor Hănescu – Tennis player, 26^th in tennis ATP 2009
• Alexandru Herlea – Professor Emeritus, Belfort-Montbeliard University of Technology, France
• Felicia Ionescu – Senior Economist, Federal Reserve System, USA
• Florin Ioraș – University Professor, Buckinghamshire New University, Great Britain
• Ray Iunius – Economist, Director of Business Development, Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland
• Monica Jiman – Economist, Chief Customer Success Officer Pentalog Europe & Asia
• Liviu Mircea Mateș – Violinist, Director of the Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra
• Marius Modiga – Music teacher, member of the vocal ensemble Anatoli
• Paula Rădulescu Ungureanu – Handball player, bronze at the 2010 European Handball Championship
• Iulian Rusu – Musician, Artistic Director of the Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra
• Raluca Strămăturaru and Valentin Crețu – Lugers, multiple national sled champions, participants in three editions of the Winter Olympic Games
• Gabriel Tamaș – Football player, 63 selections and three goals for the representative football team of Romania
• Eva Tofalvi – Biathlete, gold at the 2008-2009 World Biathlon Championship, participant in six editions of the Winter Olympic Games
• Ciprian Țuțu – Musician, Conductor of the Radio Choir, Bucharest
• Delia Vișan – Scientific research project coordinator, director of international projects, University of Paris-Dauphine, France

• Ștefan Vasile Beres – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - 2012)
• Aristotel Căncescu – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (1990 - 1996); President of the Brașov County Council (2000 - 2016)
• Sergiu Chiriacescu – the first mayor (prefect) of Brașov County after the Revolution of December 1989 (January - February 1990); member of the County Council and of the Permanent Delegation of the Brașov County Council (1990 - 1996); Senator in the Romanian Parliament (1996 - 2000); Local Councelor of Brașov municipality
• Ioan-Cristian Chirteș – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2012 - 2016) and Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2016 – present)
• Ivan Cismaru – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2004 - 2008), Vice President of the Senate (April - September 2008)
• Allen Coliban – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2016 - present)
• Ion Diniță – Member of the Romanian Parliament (2012 - 2015)
• Florea Dudiță – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (1992 -1996) and Ambassador of Romania in the Federal Republic of Germany (1995 - 1997)
• Ion Dumitru – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2004 - 2012)
• Marius-Alexandru Dunca – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2016 - present); Minister of Youth and Sports (January 4, 2017 - January 26, 2018)
• Gheorghe Flutur – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2000 - 2004; 2004 - 2008; 2012 - 2016); President of Suceava County Council, Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development (December 2004 - October 2006).
• Filip Georgescu – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (1990 -1992; 2000 - 2012)
• Tinel Gheorghe – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - present)
• Ioan Ghișe – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - 2016); Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (1992 - 1996; 2004 - 2008) and Mayor of Brașov (1996 - 2004)
• Alexandru Ion Herlea – Minister of European Integration (December 11, 1996 - December 22, 1999); Ambassador, Head of the Romanian Mission to the EU (2000 - 2001)
• Pavel Horj – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - 2012)
• Gheorghe Ialomițeanu – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - 2016); Minister of Finance (September 3, 2010 – February 9, 2012)
• Liviu Laza - Matiuța – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2012 - 2016)
• Gheorghe Marin – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (1997 - 2004; 2012 - 2016); Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2016 - present)
• Ovidius Mărcuțianu – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - 2012)
• Leonard Orban – European Commissioner for Multilingualism (January 2007 - February 2010), Minister of European Affairs (2011 - 2012) and Presidential Adviser (March 2010 - September 2011) and (January 2015 - present); decorated with the Order “Star of Romania” in the rank of Knight, for his contribution to Romania’s accession to NATO, in 2002[33]
• Ludovic Orban – Prime Minister of Romania (November 4, 2019 - present); Minister of Transport (April 2007 - December 2008); president of the National Liberal Party of Romania (since June 2017); Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - 2016)
• Gheorghe Secară – Senator in the Romanian Parliament (1992 - 1996); Deputy in the Romanian Parliament and Vice-Chairman of the Education Commission (1996 - 2000)
• Ovidiu Ioan Silaghi – Vice-President of the Committee on Budgetary Control of the European Parliament (January 31,  2007 – April 2, 2007); European Parliament (January 1, 2007 – April 2, 2007) and (September 4, 2013 – June 10, 2014); Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2000 - 2004) and (2012 - 2013); Minister of Transport (May 7, 2012 - December 21, 2012); Minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Trade, Tourism and the Liberal Professions (April 5, 2007 – December 22, 2008)
• Mihai Stepanescu – Mayor of Resita (2008 - 2015)
• Emil Stoica – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (1990 - 1992; 1992 - 1996)
• Mihai Sturzu – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2012 - 2016)
• Lucian Șova – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2012 - 2020); Minister of Communications and Information Society (June 29, 2017 - January 29, 2018); Minister of Transport and Infrastructure (January 29, 2018 - February 22, 2019)
• Ion Tabugan – Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (2008 - present)
• Romică Tomescu – Minister of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection (April 17, 1998 - December 28, 2000)

• Official Website (in English)