Nine university museums in Romania launch the digital exhibition ”Valori mai puțin cunoscute. Din patrimoniul Muzeelor Universitare Românești” (Lesser-Known Treasures: From the Heritage of Romanian University Museums)

In an effort to play a more active role in education and culture, the Museum of the University of Bucharest, the Museum of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, the Museum of the National University of Physical Education and Sport in Bucharest, the Exhibition and Documentation Center of the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest (Museum of the School of Architecture), the Museum of the “Politehnica” University of Bucharest, the Museum of the Cluj Medical School, the History Museum of “Babeș-Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca, the Museum of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Iași, and the Museum of “George Emil Palade” University in Târgu Mureș have formally laid the groundwork for a network of nine Romanian university museums.

The first joint initiative of this alliance—led by the Museum of the University of Bucharest—is the launch of the digital exhibition ”Valori mai puțin cunoscute. Din patrimoniul Muzeelor Universitare Românești” (Lesser-Known Treasures: From the Heritage of Romanian University Museums). Released on the occasion of the 2025 Night of Museums, the exhibition marks an important step toward increasing the visibility and recognition of university heritage as a distinct and culturally significant form of heritage. It also highlights the role of university museums as a unique type of museum institution. The exhibition premiered on the websites of all nine participating museums on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM.

Through this collaborative project, the nine university museums aim to bring the history and traditions of Romanian higher education institutions closer to the public, creating a bridge between academia and society. The initiative serves as a dynamic platform for cultural, democratic, artistic, scientific, athletic, technological, and, above all, civic education.

The idea of forming an Association of Romanian University Museums dates back to 2017, when it was first proposed by the University of Bucharest as part of the Universitaria Consortium. Later, the invitation was extended to other university museums across the country. Today’s exhibition marks the first collaborative curatorial effort and is intended as a strong message—to raise awareness and a sense of responsibility regarding the cultural values preserved by these university museums.