A new academic year began at UVT on Monday, September 28, with an opening ceremony held online, watched on social media channels and Google Meet by our entire community, as well as our cultural, socio- economic and by personalities of the academic world.
The Western University of Timișoara, the most important comprehensive university in the west of the country, thus marks the beginning of an academic year which, although dominated by restrictions, by many limitations in the conduct of educational activities, will mean an important period for the entire local community, as well as for the whole society, in which we will be cautious in the face of epidemiological risks and continue education at high standards, online or hybrid. The manner of carrying out educational activities in the 11 faculties of UVT was established by decisions taken by the management of the faculties.
At the opening event of the academic year, the UVT community was honored by the interventions of several guests, representatives of UVT authorities and partners, but also of international personalities, ambassadors of UVT in the world. After the words given by the rector of UVT, Mr. Prof. Univ. Dr. Marilen Gabriel Pirtea delivered it to students and their parents, teaching staff and researchers, specialist staff and collaborators, the public present online at the event, followed by several messages of solidarity, openness and university partnership delivered live by: Mrs. Ligia Deca, Presidential Advisor, the rectors of the other three Timișoara public universities, partners of UVT within the Timișoara University Alliance, prof. univ. Dr. Octavian Crețu (UMFT), prof. dr. Florin Drăgan (UPT), university professor Dr. Cosmin Popescu (USABTM). They also sent messages from Prof. Univ. Dr. Alice Oancea, Doctor Honoris Causa of UVT (University of Oxford), as well as students Adrian Breha, president of OSUT and Antonia Pup, representative of the first year, Faculty of Letters, History and Theology.
With us, on the occasion of the opening of the new academic year, was also Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown, whose thoughts of appreciation were directed through a video message to the students and teachers of UVT, but also to the young refugees studying at our university and who receive a new chance through education, thanks to the support provided by UVT and UNHCR Romania.
The rector of UVT, university professor Dr. Marilen Gabriel Pirtea, conveyed to the academic community: "The university is where our friends are, the place where the most beautiful memories of each of us come from. The pandemic crisis has revealed to us that the university is not just a building, it is not just a row of rooms, it is not just the long corridor or the amphitheatres where we meet! The university, online or face to face is a part of us. No matter where you are, at school, keeping your distance, or at home, connected online, I wish you all, students and members of the university community, health and vision, optimism and realism, energy and strength, to become better versions of yourself every day of their own persons. Learn to control your inner flame but never let it go out! Let's wish and have the ambition to have an academic year 2020-2021 in step with the world of the future!".
A week of initiation with online activities
Between September 28 and October 4, the University of the West organizes an online program dedicated to accommodating new students with life at UVT - INITIATION WEEK - which includes, in addition to the opening event of the academic year, generic activities and events intended for the entire university community – such as the Univibes Festival, now in its fourth edition, but also events focused on the specifics of the eleven faculties. The entire program of the UVT Initiation Week can be found online on the dedicated UVT page Initiation Weeks.
Univibes continues even in times of pandemic
The UNIVIBES festival, the only music and performing arts festival organized by a university with the opening of the academic year, returned this year, this time in an edition that respects the rules of distancing, in the Rozelor Park in Timișoara.
This year, unfortunately, the use of the slogan #OccupyTheUniversity it wasn't possible, but that didn't stop us from moving forward with the desire to give our students the best experiences!
The atmosphere was maintained by Adrian Despot & Cezar Popescu (Vița de Vie Acu2tic), Țapinarii and Monokrom. Univibes by UVT opened the student show on 28.09 at 19:00.
Entry to the event was free, on the basis of reservation and in compliance with all the safety and distancing rules imposed by the legislation in force, and the wearing of a protective mask was mandatory.
