Project co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)  

through the Education and Employment Program 2021 – 2027  

Call for Projects: PEO/291/PEO_P6/OP4/ESO4.6/PEO_A40  

„First Student in the Family” – Less Developed Regions

Project Title: "COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future"  

SMIS Code: 325402

PRESS RELEASE

March 27, 2025

LAUNCH OF THE PROJECT

COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Craiova, as the Beneficiary, in partnership with the Association Always for Europe, the Association for the Promotion of Youth in Craiova (APT-C), and the Henri Coandă Theoretical High School in Craiova, announces the launch of the project titled "COMPAS – Educational Community Mobilized for a Sustainable Academic Future", SMIS Code 325402, Funding Contract: G2025-3981/ 20.01.2025.

The overall objective of the project is to increase access to and participation in tertiary education in the South-West Oltenia region, by facilitating the transition to university studies for 156 high school students and 20 high school graduates who did not pass the baccalaureate exam, coming from disadvantaged groups. This will be achieved through measures to prevent and combat university dropout among 176 students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as through actions aimed at making higher education institutions more accessible over the course of 3 years.

The project has a duration of 36 months and will be implemented from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2028.

The total value of the project is 7,948,134.47 RON, of which the non-reimbursable co-financing from the European Union is 6,755,914.30 RON.

The goal of the project is to implement educational and socio-economic support measures – preventive measures, intervention measures, and compensatory measures – that will ensure the integration and retention of children and young people from disadvantaged families in pre-university and university education, thereby contributing to “creating the framework that allows equitable access to quality university studies for every young person, regardless of their socio-economic background, without any form of discrimination.”

Target group:

• 156 students at ISCED level 3-4, enrolled in public pre-university educational institutions, in at least the 11th grade, coming from families with low parental educational levels/meet the conditions for receiving social scholarships/are of Roma ethnicity;
• 20 high school graduates from the last 2 school years prior to the school year when the project becomes operational, who have not passed the baccalaureate exam, residing in the South-West Oltenia region;
• 176 students enrolled in an ISCED level 5-6 program, who do not already hold a bachelor's degree and come from families with low parental educational levels/meet the conditions for receiving social scholarships/are of Roma ethnicity.

Proposed Results – High school students:

• 176 individuals will receive counseling, facilitating the transition to university education and contributing to an increase in the number of target group members who wish to become students;
• At least 100 students and high school graduates will be supported to facilitate the transition to higher education through remedial activities;
• 156 individuals will benefit from subsidies, and 20 students will receive free accommodation and meals in the dormitory;
• Students will benefit from informational caravans, workshops promoting new work models and skills for a sustainable future, organized visits to higher education institutions, support groups, and Roma culture workshops.

Proposed Results – Students:

• 176 individuals will receive counseling, and at least 100 students will be supported through remedial activities to prevent and combat university dropout, contributing to an increase in the number of target group members who complete their university studies;
• 176 students will benefit from subsidies, and 10 students will receive accommodation and meals in the dormitory;
• Students will benefit from a virtual freshman guide, guided campus tours organized for new students, informal activities with faculty members and senior students, study skills development workshops, and peer tutoring programs;
• A Remedial Learning Center will be established, providing the necessary framework for learning and personal development for 100 students;
• Access for individuals with disabilities will be facilitated through the purchase of 20 adapted desks for individuals with disabilities, the installation of a servo-chair for disability access, the purchase of a video documentation, video management, and video streaming system, and the acquisition of specific licenses.

Contact Information for the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Craiova:  

Str. Petru Rareș nr. 2, Craiova, 200349  

Phone: +40351 443 561  

Email: rector@umfcv.ro  

Website: https://new.umfcv.ro/