The Medical University of Varna (MU-Varna) is a Bulgarian state school for higher education dedicated to training specialists in the fields of medicine and healthcare who graduate with the educational and qualification degrees of Master, Bachelor and Professional Bachelor. The university has a legal entity status with the following scope of business activities: training of cadres and professional qualification; training of PhD students; postgraduate education for medical and non-medical cadres; conducting medical diagnosis, prevention, consultation, rehabilitation, and expert services at the university hospitals; scientific research and applied sciences; international cooperation in the field of education and science; administrative, social, sport, publishing, information, and other activities.
The Medical University of Varna is the first university in Bulgaria to implement the EFQM® model for Business Excellence of the European Foundation for Quality Management in 2008. The diplomas issued by the university are recognised in all the European Union countries.
MU-Varna possesses academic autonomy.
History
Foundation 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.More about the University History
Symbols, awards and honours 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. 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. 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).
Patron 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
Rectors
Dimitar Raykov (2024 - until now) Svetoslav Georgiev (June 2023 - 2024) Valentin Ignatov (2020 – June 2023) Krasimir Ivanov (2012–2020) 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)
Campus
Faculties and college
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.
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).
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.
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.
Medical College is the structure with the oldest history and traditions. It was founded in 1942 as a Nursing School, from 1944 until 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.
Affiliates and departments 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.
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.
Organisation and administration