Prof. univ. dr. Alexandru Şonea.

‘Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of many generations. All this is put in your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day faithfully hand it on to your children.’ - (to the future generations) -

Albert Einstein

The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest celebrates 160 years of history of Romanian higher education.

Its beginning, recorded in 1852, has continued the effort and integrity of the teaching staff that, in time, has become school founders and has transmitted the cult of study and respect for hard work, for professional and scientific education to the following generations (disciples and students).

We, the people of today, now benefit from this effort, as followers of this tradition.

The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest is, together with its sister universities of Cluj, Iasi and Timisoara, the main pillar of higher education and research in Romanian agriculture and veterinary medicine.

Severely affected during Communism by the rigid and abusive application of an otherwise good concept - cooperativization, almost neglected and marginalized since 1990, when it was thought that the mere restitution of property will solve the problem -, agriculture has recently become a true ‘life preserver’ of national economy and many of our citizens have put their hope in agriculture for a better life, food supply and food security.

Agriculture is undergoing a rebirth which further raises the importance of specialist education and agricultural research according to the place and role it deserves in the entire Romanian higher education and scientific research, a situation that not only fosters responsibility but also compels us to cope with it.

At present, the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest is developing in the context of globalization, population growth and decreasing agricultural areas, which results in its role and mission to create specialists for the Third Millennium.

The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest is presenting its educational offer which is addressed to high-school graduates who love nature, flowers, trees and animals.

The university graduates will contribute to the revival and modernization of agriculture by ensuring agricultural and food products for our country’s population. They will help transform subsistence farms into sources of income, tourist attraction, as well as animal breeding and traditional or organic food producers.

The veterinary graduates will set sanitary-veterinary norms not only for livestock and farms but also for the food industry, with a direct and major impact upon animal but especially consumers’ health.

We can state that our university is a modern institution that collaborates with similar higher education institutions from about 20 countries (three continents) on various approaches, including exchange of students and teachers.

Moreover, the special conditions provided to our students (in the two campuses, Veterinary Medicine - Cotroceni and Agriculture - Herăstrău) and our teachers and researchers add to the complete image of what is now the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest.

Our University has provided the natural and legal framework for education and professionalism, as undoubted proof of a job well done based on the scientific basis of knowledge.

Paul Louis Lampert said, ‘The role of education is to lift one up to some place from where one should be ashamed to go down’.

Senate President of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest

Prof Dr Alexandru ŞONEA