Cluj-Napoca University gets 35-million-euro injection from the European Investment Bank

The university offers a unique programme combining computer sciences as with life sciences, intersecting information technology and physical wellbeing

Today, the European Investment Bank announced they will invest 35 million euros into Babes Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca – Romania’s oldest university. This is the largest in a long list of investment loans the bank has made in higher education in Romania. The 500-years-old Babes Bolyai University plans to use it to strengthen their computer science department.

The European Investment Bank has been investing in Romania’s higher education for some time now. Just recently, they have provided campus infrastructure loans to the Bucharest Medicine University, Cluj-Napoca’s Technical University, and Bucharest Polytechnic University.

In 2021 alone, the bank provided more than 900 million euros across the country, rounding out a very productive period. In the last 31 years, since the fall of the Ceausescu regime, the EIB has provided more than 18 billion euros in public and private sector investments in Romania.

Cluj-Napoca – en epicentre of learning in Romania

As the home of Romania’s oldest university, Cluj-Napoca is a natural magnet for young people from across the country. With an area of 180 square kilometres and a population of just over 300,000, Cluj-Napoca is absolutely crowded with students in the academic year.

This is why the new investments will go towards strengthening local research and innovation capacities – building upon prior strengths. Babes Bolyai University will have the chance to increase teaching space and academic offices, as well as upgrade buildings across the campus.

University authorities have said that the funds will be mainly funnelled to the fields of engineering, maths, environmental sciences and the main beneficiary - computer sciences. The University’s InfoBioNano4Health Platform combining information technology with natural sciences is the flagship project of the department.

According to a statement by the EIB, it uses tools like AI/ Big Data/ Quantum Computing/ Cybersecurity/ Blockchain/ Virtual-Augmented Realities and life sciences, biotechnologies, nanosciences and nanotechnologies to better both human and environmental health.