Medical University of Varna

The University was founded as a Higher Medical Institute by a Decree No. 414 from November 12, 1960 of the Presidium of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria and Order No. 208 from January 19, 1961 of the Ministry of Health. October 1, 1961 is considered its birthdate – the first school day of the first academic year at the first higher education medical school in Northeastern Bulgaria.

During the first 10 years all departments and basic clinics were developed. Facilities for education and scientific research were created. The main focus has been on the continuous improvement of the practical training. With the growth of the Institute, the construction of new hospital premises was organised both for educational purposes and for the healthcare needs in Northeastern Bulgaria. During the 1970s the new Surgery Clinic and the Dermatology Clinic were built. In the 1980s the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, the Psychiatric Hospital (the largest on the Balkan Peninsula), the Eye Hospital, the Therapeutic Hospital (the current University Hospital "St. Marina" – Varna) were also established.

In 1995, by a decree of the National Assembly, the Higher Medical Institute of Varna was renamed to Medical University of Varna. In 2002 the University accepted as its name the name of its patron – Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov. The university auditoria are traditionally named after prominent professors from the Medical University of Varna.

The Medical University of Varna is among the first members of the Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN) and is full member of the European University Association (EUA). From 2006 the graduating doctors receive a European supplement to their diplomas which is valid for their professional realisation in the EU countries.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, with the opening of new faculties and programmes, high-tech laboratories, research centres, creation of more conditions for scientific exchange, work on programmes, active international cooperation, scientific periodicals, better online presence and work in the new digital environment, university TV, MU-Varna has expanded its educational scope and has developed further its academic potential.[2][3][4]

The University tries to satisfy the public need of high-quality medical and management cadres in healthcare and the social field in accordance with the national strategies for the development of education and healthcare, and the international standards. It aims to develop fundamental and applied scientific research, innovations and new technologies, as well as to improve the national health in partnership with the other parts of the healthcare system. The University aims to be a nationally recognised leader in the academic education and scientific research which have a considerable contribution to the improvement of the nation's health, the technological progress and the quality of life.[5]

• Coat of Arms represents a stylized image of an open book in the Temple of Knowledge and in its centre - the symbol of medicine – a staff with a snake wound around it.
• Flag is manufactured from white silk and goldthread. In accordance with the heraldic tradition, the coat of arms and the name of the institution, Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov", are embroidered in blue on the white background. The Flag is kept in the Assembly Room at the Rectorate Building.
• Rector's Ceremonial Mace is crowned with two spheres, one inscribed into the other with a snake in the centre, which symbolises medical knowledge. It originates from the ancient symbol of medicine – a staff with a snake wound around it as well as from the ancient tales of the snake's wisdom and omniscience. A jade sphere is placed on the top end of the mace – a symbol of eternity, strength and knowledge, the essential values of medicine.
• Rector's Necklace has a round shape which symbolises the infinity of scientific knowledge. The pendant is entirely made of bronze. The coat of arms of the University is engraved in the centre of the pendant – an open book in the Temple of Knowledge and as its centre – the symbol of medicine – a staff with a snake wound around it. The base of the pendant is made of blue stone which symbolises the human ideals.
• Rector's Toga is red with black lining.
• Dean's Toga is dark blue with red lining. The symbols are carried during University holidays, ceremonial processions and ceremonial sessions of the Academic Council.

• 
  The Flag of Mu-Varna

Awards and Honours

By a decree of the Academic Council of MU-Varna the following awards for high achievements in teaching and scientific research as well as for long-term successful work at the University are given:

• Honorary title "Doctor Honoris Causa" of the Medical University of Varna: For exceptional achievements in the development of the University and Bulgarian healthcare.
• Academic Honours: Honorary star with a blue ribbon. Honorary sign with a blue ribbon.
• Honorary Diploma: Golden Hippocrates – awarded by the Rector for excellent results to University graduates.
• Honours: Honorary plaque. Honorary sign. Plaque "SIGNUM LAUDIS" (for contribution to the scientific research and academic development of professors from MU-Varna and other Bulgarian universities).

The Monument of Paraskev Stoyanov in the Yard of MU-Varna

The Medical University of Varna carries the name of Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov famous for his pioneer and enlightening role not only in Bulgarian medicine and science. He established the first Bulgarian school of surgery, started the training in anatomy in Bulgaria, gave the first lecture in medicine in Bulgaria (1918), opened, in the Varna region, the only one on the Balkan Peninsula, Children's Sea Sanatorium for Bone and Joint Tuberculosis. He was the first in the country who produced X-ray images, performed a complex surgery of a damaged heart and is the first Bulgarian hiker (1895, the peak of Grand Combin, Switzerland). At international level, Prof. Stoyanov, is recognised as one of the founders of thalassotherapy (treatment with sea water) and heliotherapy (treatment with sun). He is an author of scientific and general publications as well as literary memoirs

• Valentin Ignatov (2020 – until now)[6]
• Krasimir Ivanov (2012-2020)[7]
• Anelia Klisarova (2004–2012)
• Temelko Temelkov (1999-2004)
• Dimitar Kamburov (1990-1999)
• Georgi Marinov (1987-1990)
• Vanko Vankov (1983-1987)
• Garabed Kaprelyan (1977-1983)
• Raycho Koinov (1973-1977)
• Vladimir Ivanov (1966-1973)
• Zdravka Kemileva (1963-1966)
• Gergo Mitov (1962-1963)
• Radan Radanov (1961-1962)[8]

Rectorate Building

Faculty of Medicine is a main part of the University structure uniting 20 departments and 18 teaching and research sectors. Its purpose is to train staff with a higher education degree in medicine, graduating with educational qualification degree Master and professional qualification Master in Medicine. It is an educational institution for PhD students and it offers postgraduate education in a wide variety of majors. The education process is only full-time and it is conducted following a curriculum developed according to the state requirements for the major. The duration of the course is 6 years.[9][10]

Faculty of Dental Medicine

Faculty of Dental Medicine was founded on March 15, 2006 and it comprises 7 departments. It is dedicated to the training of professionals with a higher education degree in dental medicine, interns and PhD students in the main dental medicine majors. Since 2008 the Faculty has had at its disposal a new building equipped for the purposes of the students’ theoretical and practical training. In 2009, as a part of the Faculty, a new Academic Centre of Implantology was opened. The educational process is only full-time and it is conducted in three stages (6 years).[11]

Faculty of Pharmacy

Faculty of Pharmacy was founded on October 16, 2008 and consists of 8 departments. At the Faculty, which, by 2016, is the only one in Eastern Bulgaria, pharmacy students, interns and PhD students are trained in the main pharmaceutical disciplines. The educational process is only full-time with a duration of 5 years and includes a 6-month pre-graduation internship.[12]

Faculty of Public Health was founded on June 20, 2001 and it has 6 departments. It trains specialists with a higher education in the programmes of Health Management, Public Health, Healthcare Management, Nurse, Midwife, Pharmaceutical Management, and Rehabilitation, Thalassotherapy, Wellness and Spa. It offers 10 accredited PhD programmes, postgraduate training in the form of continuous educational courses as well as individual courses for postgraduate qualification including online courses. It is a member of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) and the "Public Health in Southeastern Europe" network (PH-SEE) as well as a member of the National Global Health Network.[13]

Medical College

Medical College is the structure with the oldest history and traditions. It was founded in 1942 as a Nursing School, from 1944 till 1997 the College underwent numerous transformations: Institute for Nurses, School for Midwives, United Medical School, Medical Institute. Since 1997 it has been a main part of the structure of the Medical University of Varna. It offers training for a Professional Bachelor in the following programmes: Assistant Pharmacist, Medical Laboratory Technician, X-ray laboratory assistant, Dental Technician, Public Health Inspector, Physiotherapist, Social Activities, Medical Beautician, Medical Optician, as well as training aimed at continuing the qualification of those who have acquired medical or non-medical degree.[14]

Affiliates in Sliven, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo. Established after a Decision of the National Assembly from 2013 and 2015. The affiliates offer training in the programmes "Nursing" and "Midwifery". A full-time educational course. An education qualification degree of bachelor, the duration of the course is 4 years and the last year is pre-graduation internship. The lecture course of the training can be found online. The students have the opportunity to listen to their professors’ lectures in real time thanks to videoconferencing with the University in Varna.

• 
  Affiliate in Sliven
• 
  Affiliate in Veliko Tarnovo

Department of Foreign Language Teaching, Communications and Sport (DFLTCS) is a successor of the Department of Foreign Languages founded in 1962. It provides language teaching in Medical Latin, Bulgarian, English, German and French languages, to the students from the four faculties and the Medical College. The Department offers also a preparatory one-year course in Bulgarian and English to the foreign students.

At the faculties of medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, public health of the Medical University of Varna and the Medical College the following programmes are offered: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Nurse, Midwife, Health Management, Healthcare Management, Public Health, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Radiographer, Assistant Pharmacist, Dental Technician, Public Health Inspector, Physiotherapist, Medical Beautician, Medical Optician, Pharmaceutical Management, Rehabilitation, Thalassotherapy, Wellness and Spa, Public Health Prevention and Control (In Bulgarian), Public Health and Health Management (in Russian).

At the affiliates in Sliven, Shumen and Veliko Tarnovo: Nursing, Midwifery.

English language programmes are offered in: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Public Health.[19]

The admission process of the Medical University of Varna consists of preliminary and routine exams - in Varna as well as in Sliven, Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen, Germany, Austria, Great Britain, Spain.

As a part of its admission campaign the Medical University of Varna offers preparatory courses and admission consultations: comprehensive and short intensive preparatory courses in biology, chemistry, modelling; some of them also available in different cities in Bulgaria and several EU countries. There is a new online question form, as well as online submission of application papers and the placement of all applicants from all programmes.

There are specialised websites dedicated to the admission campaign – in Bulgarian, English and German.[20]

“Open Door Days” are organised for Bulgarian and foreign applicants.[21] The University participates in educational fairs and international exhibitions in order to increase the enrollment of foreign students, after a preliminary analysis of the scope and the perspectives for the Medical University of Varna.

• Centre for Vocational Training[22]
• Department of Postgraduate Education[23]
• Centre for Online Education
• Centre for Career Development

Medical University of Varna offers training in 54 accredited PhD programmes in the following eight professional directions: 1) Medicine; 2) Dental Medicine; 3) Chemical Sciences; 4) Life Sciences; 5) Psychology; 6) Administration and Management; 7) Pharmacy; 8) Public Health.

In 2014 the Medical University of Varna incorporated a platform complementing the online education of the students from all programmes. In their personal profile the students receive interactive handbooks, exercises, video lectures, 3D atlases, tests, etc. They can also check their grades. In 2014 a new technology came into use, which allows the current evaluation of the level of mastering of the material and facilitates the interactive method of education. The students have the opportunity to study human anatomy by means of interactive methods and 3D technology

The University has training facilities for training of students, PhD students and interns at UMHAT “St. Marina” - Varna, MHAT “St. Anna”, the Specialized Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Active Treatment “Prof. Dr. D. Stamatov” - Varna, the Specialized Eye Hospital for Active Treatment - Varna, the Faculty of Dental Medicine, the Faculty of Pharmacy, RHI (Regional Health Inspection) and the Medical College of Varna. The University Hospital “St. Marina” - Varna has several lecture halls for practical and theoretical activities. The students use the digital library - part of the digitized and centralized library system of the university. The hospital is in possession of highly specialised equipment as well as the most current apparatuses such as gamma camera, magnetic resonance imaging, PET CT with a cyclotron, CT Dual-Source.

In November, 2015, 4500 students were studying at the Medical University of Varna, of whom 3400 Bulgarian citizens and 1100 foreign students from around 40 countries, 900 of which are studying in the English language programmes in “Medicine” and “Dental Medicine”.[24] The students are studying in 26 programmes - 987 disciplines; 80 courses (incl. 12 English language courses and 1 Russian language course). Most of the students are from Germany (the largest group, over 40% of all foreign students), The United Kingdom, Greece, Cyprus, Sweden, Spain, Turkey, USA, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, Albania, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Finland, Denmark, Serbia, Italy, France, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Egypt, Kuwait, Brazil, Japan, Tunisia, The Dominican Republic, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Bhutan, Azerbaijan, Syria, Nigeria.[25]

The Council is a body dedicated to the defense of the students’ general interests a representing the students and the PhD students of the Medical University of Varna in the General Assembly. The term of the students and the PhD students in the General Assembly is with a duration of two years with the right to be re-elected for another term. The Student Council elects a chairman among its members, who organises and manages its activity as well as represents it in front of the managing authorities of the University.[26]

Every year the students of the Medical University of Varna take part in the traditional sport tournaments “Varna Universiade”, “The Cup of the Rector”, “Summer University” and “Winter Universiade”. They compete in different disciplines among themselves and with students from other universities from the city and the country. Physical Education is a mandatory form of education for all the students from the initial years of all programmes. The university athletes and the teams conduct their training sessions under the guidance of professional trainers.[27]