Defining moments in UPT’s history

The Politehnica School of Timișoara is established by royal decree signed by King Ferdinand I. Traian Lalescu becomes its first rector.

On 11 November, the “Mechanical Pavilion”, the first building owned by the Politehnica School, is inaugurated in the presence of King Ferdinand. During the inauguration ceremony, King Ferdinand delivers the famous message that would become the Politehnica’s motto: “It is not the walls that make a school, but the spirit that reigns within it”.

A milestone is reached: the first cohort of engineers graduates from the Politehnica School.

The Politehnica School’s first purpose-built student hall of residence, with 220 places, is opened. It is now known as Student Hall 1 MV.

The building housing the Politehnica student cafeteria is completed and opened. Located next to the student hall of residence, it can accommodate 450 students.

The Politehnica School is granted the right to award the Doctor of Engineering degree.

The “Politehnica” sports complex is opened.

The first Doctor of Engineering degree is awarded to Professor Ștefan Nădășan.

Despite the difficulties of the war, the long-awaited Faculty of Civil Engineering is established on 11 November 1941, fulfilling the vision of one of the Politehnica’s leading founders, Professor Victor Vlad, who had championed its establishment for almost 20 years.

The Politehnica School of Timișoara awards its first Doctor Honoris Causa title to Professor Dr. Friedrich Hofmann of the Technical University of Breslau, inventor of synthetic rubber.

The Faculty of Agronomy is established and remains part of the Politehnica School until 1948.

As part of the education reform, the Politehnica School becomes the Polytechnic Institute of Timișoara, with its faculty structure consolidated.

The building at Piața Victoriei, No. 2, formerly known as Lloyd Palace, is assigned to the university. It becomes the headquarters of the Rector’s Office and houses the laboratories of the Faculty of Industrial Chemistry.

Romania’s largest purely student-led anti-communist revolt takes place. The Politehnica fosters courageous citizens committed to the values of freedom.

MECIPT-1, the first alphanumeric computer in Romania and the first computer used in a Romanian university, is put into operation. The Computing Centre is also established.

Romania’s first academic department specialising in computing is established within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. That same year, the first generation of Romanian engineers specialising in electronic computers graduates.

The Politehnica celebrates its 50th anniversary, becoming one of the country’s largest and most respected technical institutions.

The Institutes for Sub-Engineers in Hunedoara and Reșița are established under the authority of the Polytechnic Institute of Timișoara.

The first Romanian industrial robot, REMT-1, developed by the “Traian Vuia” Polytechnic Institute and Electromotor Timișoara, is put into operation.

The Faculty of Automation and Computers and the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications are established by transforming the existing sections within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

With the return to democracy, Politehnica University of Timisoara officially emerges as a modern university with a strong European outlook.

UPT connects to the European university network through the launch of its first Erasmus programmes.

Degree programmes begin to be organised under the Bologna system.

UPT takes a decisive step towards the digital world with the launch of the UPT Virtual Campus.

To mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Politehnica School of Timișoara, King Michael is awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by UPT.

The new UPT Library is inaugurated.

Politehnica University of Timisoara celebrates its centenary, marking a century of tradition, innovation and an uninterrupted commitment to serving society.

Timișoara becomes European Capital of Culture, with the UPT campus hosting numerous cultural events. That same year, the Politehnica community celebrates 100 years since the inauguration of its first purpose-built building, marking a century of university campus life.

105 years after the founding of UPT, its academic, sporting and business communities celebrate excellence. Its mission remains unchanged: digitalisation, sustainability and internationalisation.