Trakia University (Thracian University), Medical Faculty

The University organizes training on programs with four educational and qualification degrees - Specialist, Bachelor, Master and PhD, as well as on programs for qualification and post-graduate training in the system of life-long education.

Trakia University - Stara Zagora has legitimate institutional accreditation by resolution of the National Assessment and Accreditation Agency at the Council of Ministers. Graduate students receive a diploma stamped with the state coat of arms of the Republic of Bulgaria .

Technical facilities
Students are trained in buildings with up-to-date furnished lecture halls and laboratories. Epending on the chosen major, the practical training is organized either at the training and experimental base of the University, the clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the University hospital, the regional veterinary-medical centres, the selection centres, stations for artificial insemination, dairy farms, breeding cooperative and private farms.

Information services are provided to students and lecturers by a library and information centre with over 400 000 volumes of specialized literature, as well specialized periodicals in Bulgarian, English, French, German and Russian. The libraries have well-organized internal and international book exchange with 35 countries and 108 universities. A connection with Internet - the world computer network - has been established, making it possible for all lecturers and students to use the services provided.

Social and living conditions
Students can use hostels with over 1660 beds available and well-furnished canteens, disco clubs, cafeterias and shops. A centre of physical education and sport exists at the University and provides conditions for students to practise various sports undr the guidance of teachers: football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, track-and-field events, aerobics, martial arts, bodybuilding, etc. The jockey club is one of the most popular in the country. A high sport mastery on equestrian sports is developed there and students have possibilities for amateur horse-back riding and horse tracking. The lecturers are 646, of which 227 with academic rank.

Students
Over 4 000 students are trained at the University, incl. 300 foreign students from 20 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and America .
Structure

Trakia University - Stara Zagora is an autonomous state institution. It was established in 1995 with a decision of the 37th National Assembly and is based on the existing institutions for higher education in the city of Stara Zagora. The following units are included in the university structure:

Trakia University offers training and education leading to four-types of academic degrees: Specialist, Bachelor, Master and Doctor and according to programmes for qualification and postgraduate studies within the frame of the continuing education system.

Trakia University has received full Bulgarian institutional accreditation from the National Agency of Evaluation and Accreditation to the Council of Ministers. All graduates are granted official diplomas with the State coat of arms of the Republic of Bulgaria.

University authorities
The delegates at the University General Assembly are all habilitated members of the academic staff, representatives of non-habilitated teachers, students, support staff and PhD students. The structure of the University General Assembly is agreed on by the Academic Council in accordance to the Higher Education Law.

Chairman of the University General Assembly is Prof. D.Sc. Ivan Borissov.

The University Academic Council consists of 45 members elected by secret ballot by the General Assembly observing the quotas of each structural unit.

Rector of the Trakia University is Professor Ivan Stankov, D.Sc.

Vice-Rectors of the Trakia University: Assoc. prof. Ivan Vashin, PhD - Academic, Еconomical and Information affairs; Prof. D.Sc. Kina Sivkova-Student Аffairs; Prof. D.Sc. Veselina Gadjeva- Scientific research and international activities.

Chief Secretary: Assoc. prof. Tsonka Kasnakova, PhD.

Assistant-rector: Assoc. prof. Dobri Yarkov, PhD

Structure: 5 faculties with 18 academic programmes, 2 colleges with 7 academic programmes and a Department of Information and Teacher Training.

Physical facilities and equipment: Students are trained in premises with well-equipped halls and laboratories. The practical training, depending on the selected major is implemented in any of the following: the University Experimental Base, the Faculty Veterinary Clinics, the University Hospital, the Regional Veterinary Stations, the Selection Centres and the co-operative and private animal breeding farms.

The informational services for students and the academic staff are provided by a library and an information centre equipped with more than 320 000 volumes of specialised literature and periodicals in Bulgarian, English, French, Russian and German. The libraries have a well-organised book exchange programme for Bulgarian and international literature which includes 35 countries and 108 universities.

The access to the World Wide Web (INTERNET) provides an opportunity to work with an enormous amount of information.

Accommodation facilities: Student accommodation facilities have a capacity of over 1020 beds as well as canteens, disco clubs, cafes and shops.

The University Centre of Physical Education and Sport promotes various sport activities: football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, athletics, aerobics, and fitness. The jockey club is among the most popular in the country, providing opportunities for a high sport mastery on equestrian and horse back riding and tourism.

The academic staff consists of 543 lecturers, 227 of which are habilitated.

Students: Over 7686 students are enrolled at the Trakia University, including 291 foreign students from European, Asian and African countries.
Participation of Trakia University in the Erasmus program

ERASMUS Program is a European Union action program through which students, teachers and university staff can acquire academic and personal experience in other European countries, broadening their cultural horizons, improving their foreign-language skills and achieving fresh perspectives in their subject areas. The exchange of students, teachers and staff between European universities is based on bilateral agreements between the various departments at Trakia University and those of the partner institutions.

In 2000/2001 academic year started the cooperation in the ERASMUS program. Within the framework of the first institutional contract student exchange and implementation of an European system of credit transfer are under way. These activities conform fully to the stated European policy of Trakia University and its Program of strategic development. The participation in the ERASMUS program makes it possible for the University to enrich its international experience. Students are able to acquire experience when they encounter another type of culture in European universities.

In 2007 Trakia University applied for and received the EXTENDED ERASMUS UNIVERSITY CHARTER by the European Commission. It gives the University access to the program for the period 2007 - 2013 academic years.

Trakia University is open of new partnerships. Foreign students and teachers who wish to spend a period of their study and training in Bulgaria within the frameworks of exchange activities, will witness a dynamic development of new spheres, will encounter ancient culture, beautiful nature, warm-hearted and hospitable people. Bulgaria is attractive for students with the low living costs compared to the others EU member states.

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Trakia University, Stara Zagora