SDG 3. Good Health and Well-being

• Centre for Research on Mental Health, UB Clinic for Psychological and Educational Assistance and Intervention
• Centre for Research on Neurobiology and Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Biology
• Laboratory of Health Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
• Clinical Cognitive Sciences Laboratory

• PhoVR- Immersive Phobia Treatment through Adaptive Virtual Reality and Biofeedback
• Development of a smart patch biosensor for monitoring chronic wound healing
• aiCare: An artificial intelligence-powered Conversational therapeutic agent for anxiety and depression in young adult cancer survivors

The University of Bucharest develops partnerships with institutions that aim to improve the health and well-being of the population, participating in dedicated events, partnering in research projects or initiating such collaborations to provide its students with relevant facilities for their placements. These events happen at all levels, including:

Local and national Collaborations

• The faculties of the University of Bucharest, whose study programmes prepare specialists with skills and knowledge in the medical field (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology and Education Sciences), have concluded partnerships with various medical institutions, both at the local and national level, the objective of which is to carry out student internships, research, lectures, joint events, recruitment, and selection among students/graduates, etc. We list below some examples:
• Faculty of Biology: national institutes (the Institute of Pneumophthisiology “Marius Nasta”, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases “Matei Balș”, the National Institute for Medical-Military Research and Development “Cantacuzino”, the National Institute for the Mother and Children Health, the Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology ), clinics and hospitals (Medlife Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine SRL, Genetic Lab etc.);
• Faculty of Chemistry: national institutes (C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest), laboratories (Regina Maria Central Laboratory, Bucharest, Labormed Pharma SA, SC Zentiva SA, etc.);
• Faculty of Physics: national institutes (Bucharest Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr Alexandru Trestioreanu”), clinics and hospitals (MEDEUROPA Radiotherapy and Medical Oncology Clinic, “Dr Carol Davilla” Central Military Emergency University Hospital, Coltea Clinical Hospital );
• Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences: individual psychology offices, clinics, and hospitals (Institute for the Study and Treatment of Trauma, Psycho-Oncology Clinic Lidia Stoica S.R.L., Bagdasar-Arseni Emergency Hospital, Romanian Association of Integrative Psychotherapy, ).
• The University of Bucharest is also a member of ROHEALTH – Cluster for Health and Bioeconomy. Established in 2015 to support the need for association of various types of entities in the fields of health and bio-economy in order to increase their competitiveness in the targeted fields, through its activities, ROHEALTH promotes and supports cooperation through sustainable national and international partnerships between private companies, universities, research organizations and public entities/ authorities.

Global Cooperations

• Within the framework of the European CIVIS alliance, since September 2020, Hub 3 – the CIVIS Hub on Health (HH) – was established and deals with educational programmes (webinars, workshops, summer schools, micro-programmes, blended intensive programmes, multiple and joint degrees, etc) related to all aspects of health and not only to the medical sciences. This HUB further facilitates the cooperation of all universities within the alliance in this strategic field.
• The Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Bucharest participates with institutions from 35 countries in the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) action CA19117 Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO). The Researcher Mental Health is an action that focuses on well-being and mental health in academia, a topic of strategic importance for the European Research Area. The ReMO team comprises academics, practitioners, policymakers, and consultants to higher education institutions.
• The Director of the Laboratory of Clinical Cognitive Sciences at the University of Bucharest, Associate professor Ioana Podina, has been selected within the UNESCO International Expert Group on Ethics of Neuroethologies (details here).

The University of Bucharest organises outreach programmes and projects in the local community to improve and promote health and well-being. In 2022, the members of the University of Bucharest academic community organised a series of actions to support the general public by providing advice on health and wellness issues and other relevant topics. Special attention was given to the specific context created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of these initiatives:

• UB Dose of Science is a project launched in 2021 that proposes a focused and dynamic way of communicating scientific information and creating dialogue with the general public. Initiated under the aegis of the UB Conferences – “Science for all”, UB Dose of Science encourages the connection between academic and non-academic communities based on current and exciting topics. The UB Dose of Science videos include short, dynamic presentations of topics relevant to contemporary society: pollution, climate change, pandemics and post-pandemic contexts, education, digitalisation and more. You can access episodes of the series here.
• The Laboratory of Clinical Cognitive Sciences constantly organises events and webinars on mental health and well-being. In 2023, they organized the 5th edition of Brain Awareness Week, which focused on brain and mental health.
• From January to June 2022, the University of Bucharest and the Centre for Innovation in Medicine InoMed organised, under the aegis of CIVIS, a series of six webinars on “The patient-doctor relationship in the digital era. The impact of social media and influencers on human behaviour and perceptions”. The six online events were succeeded by a summer school entitled “Re-inventing the patient-doctor relationship in the digital age”.
• To promote a healthy and active lifestyle, the University of Bucharest invites students and community members to participate in various sports activities. Between April 4 and May 13, 2023, the University Cup took place, where interested people had the opportunity to compete in all the sports disciplines offered by the Department of Physical Education and Sports (DEFS) of the University of Bucharest, including handball, table tennis, tennis, chess, kayaking, football, sports dance, step, aerobics, badminton, basketball, and volleyball. Similarly, on May 27, 2023, the University of Bucharest members were invited to participate in the 28th edition of the University of Bucharest Cross, hosted by the ‘Dimitrie Brândză Botanical Garden.
• Between 13-16 June 2023, the Faculty of Geography of the University of Bucharest and the Institute of Geography of the Romanian Academy organized the international conference “Health, Environment and Sustainable Development: Changes, Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World“. The event gathered more than 100 participants, including international researchers, addressing topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on health and environment, economic recovery and sustainable development strategies.
• UB students and teachers have been invited in the context of CIVIS to participate in a webinar on mental health and wellbeing at work, organized on October 10, 2022, starting at 2 pm (CET). The main topics covered include well-being and mental health at work, successful policies for healthy work, Swedish perspectives, the impact of technology on work-related stress, reducing psychosocial risk factors and, early detection of mental disorders at work and equalizing emotions to prevent burnout at work.

To the extent available, the University of Bucharest shares its sports base with the local community.

• The sports base of the University of Bucharest has 11 sports halls and fields, with a rich program of sports activities, running from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 22:00, with various sports competitions scheduled on weekends. Some sports fields are accessible to all interested people and can be rented. For example, the sports fields at the Faculty of Law and the Măgurele hall are available for rent at rates ranging from 15 lei to 200 lei/hour. The UB also owns the Cumpătu base in Sinaia, used for mountain sports activities.
• To promote a healthy and active lifestyle, the University of Bucharest invites students and community members to participate in various sports activities. Between April 4 and May 13, 2023, the University Cup took place, where interested people had the opportunity to compete in all the sports disciplines offered by the Department of Physical Education and Sports (DEFS) of the University of Bucharest, including handball, table tennis, tennis, chess, kayaking, football, sports dance, step, aerobics, badminton, basketball, and volleyball. Similarly, on May 27, 2023, members of the University of Bucharest were invited to participate in the 28th edition of the University of Bucharest Cross, hosted by the ‘Dimitrie Brândză Botanical Garden

The University of Bucharest provides students with access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services and mental health support, including information and education services.

• In compliance with the National Education Law No. 1/2001 and in compliance with Order No. 438/4.629/2021, students are entitled to free medical and psychological assistance in university medical and psychological clinics or state-run polyclinics and hospitals. The students of the University of Bucharest receive free healthcare services in any of the public medical units as well as in its medical practice, which belongs to the Administration of Bucharest Hospitals and has a staff of 12 employees, of which 6 on general car covering the specialities of General Medicine (3 doctors and 3 nurses) and Stomatology (4 doctors and 2 nurses). The general medicine division also covers sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
• Within the University of Bucharest operates the Clinic for Psychological and Educational Assistance and Intervention (CAIPE). The clinic’s primary mission is to provide psychological and educational assessment, assistance and counselling services to students and staff of the University of Bucharest, as well as to members of the local community. CAIPE serves students and young professionals through hands-on educational, training and continuing development programmes to ensure the highest professional preparation standards in community service. Leveraging the human and infrastructural resources of the University of Bucharest, CAIPE provides evidence-based psychological and educational services in a supportive and confidential manner, constantly monitoring the effectiveness of the services provided and the needs of the professionals delivering them.
• Psychological counselling is also available to students through the Department of Counselling and Career Guidance which assists students with the various problematic situations that may affect their student experience throughout the degree.

The University of Bucharest provides staff with access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services and mental health support, including information and education services, through the following:

• According to the national legislative provisions (please access: Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate (cnas.ro) for relevant information, including the rights and responsibilities of insured persons), all employees benefit from public health insurance. Moreover, the university takes all the necessary measures to protect the safety and health of employees, including activities to prevent occupational risks, as well as information and training. At the institutional level, the Emergency Situations, Health, and Occupational Safety Service is operational. All employees participate in annual occupational health checks.
• The Psychological and Educational Assistance and Intervention Clinic also offers its services to the staff of the University of Bucharest and members of the local community. Thus, CAIPE provides evidence-based psychological and educational services in a supportive and confidential manner, constantly monitoring the services’ effectiveness and the needs of the professionals who provide them.
• The University of Bucharest has a Centre for Psychomotor Counselling and Quality of Life Enhancement for Teachers and T.E.S.A. Staff. The Centre meets all the conditions for the development of psychomotor activities and the diversification of leisure activities for teachers and T.E.S.A. staff of the University, also targeting aspects concerning the health of its employees and their way of life. Those who are keen to exercise can thus get active in a central area and in a space allocated exclusively to them, where they can practice bodybuilding, fitness, tae-bo, aerobic gymnastics, maintenance gymnastics, medical-gymnastics, table tennis while also having the possibility to access treadmills, ergonomic bikes, elliptical bikes, steppers, massage machines, and others.

The regulations of the University of Bucharest regarding smoking comply with the national legislation (law no. 15/2016) prohibiting smoking in enclosed spaces at the workplace and enclosed public spaces.

The smoking policy in the University of Bucharest was regulated by the decision of the Board of Administration on 8 July 2015, which complies with national legislation and has been applicable on university grounds since 2015. This document specifies the spaces where smoking is prohibited and places specially designed for smoking. This decision was updated in 2022.