Politehnica University of Timișoara (; abbreviated UPT) is a public university in Timișoara. Founded in 1920, it is one of the largest technical universities in Central and Eastern Europe. The 10 faculties of the university provide study programs for about 13,000 students. In 2011, Politehnica University of Timișoara was classified as an advanced research and education university by the Ministry of Education. The university is a founding member of the Romanian Alliance of Technical Universities (ARUT).
History
1920–1948: Polytechnic School
The idea of establishing a polytechnic school in Timișoara appeared since the beginning of the 20th century, the Austro-Hungarian Empire wanting both the industrial development of Banat and offering a reason for satisfaction to the majority Romanian population. Following the proposal of the City Council meeting of 26 November 1906, in 1907 mayor Carol Telbisz submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Public Instruction in Budapest on the need for a polytechnic school. But the Minister of Instruction's proposal to the Budapest Parliament in 1911 was rejected. However, the ministry delegates a commission consisting of the rector of the Budapest Polytechnic and nine professors to deal with the issue together with the Timișoara City Hall. Proceedings resumed in 1916, but were blocked by World War I. However, on 23 November 1917, the City Hall decided to cede an 8-hectare plot of land on the left bank of the Bega for the Polytechnic buildings and to arrange the building of a school or a barracks for the temporary operation of the school. After the war, at the insistence of , on 27 February 1919, the mayor submitted to the Governing Council, the Resort of Cults and Instruction, a memorandum requesting the establishment of the school. The Governing Council decides to establish the Polytechnic on 27 February 1920, and according to the Official Gazette no. 3191 of 22 October 1920, the Romanian Council of Ministers approves the establishment starting with 15 November 1920, allocating one million lei. The decree, with no. 44822, is countersigned by King Ferdinand I on 11 November.
At first, as the school did not have its own headquarters, it functioned with a secretariat within the City Hall. This is where the first registrations for the candidates and their verification took place. In the first year, the Polytechnic School started its activity with a number of 117 students from all Romanian provinces: 89 enrolled in the first year and 28 in the preparatory year. Courses begin on 29 November 1920. The teaching staff consisted of rector Traian Lalescu (who taught mathematical analysis), Constantin Teodorescu (strength of materials and theoretical mechanics), (descriptive geometry), Constantin Cândea (chemistry) and Augustin Coman (mathematics). Traian Lalescu's name is related to the establishment of the prestigious publication Revista matematică din Timișoara (15 March 1921), the Yearbook of the Polytechnic School, the Student Circle and the Student Sports Association ("Politehnica"). The courses were held in the premises of a primary school on Carol Telbisz Street, a place still in the patrimony of the Polytechnic. In 1923, the construction of pavilions began on Michael the Brave Boulevard, which groups the laboratories, museums and other rooms of the Polytechnic. King Ferdinand also took part in the inauguration of the pavilions on 11 November 1923, stating:
1948–1991: Polytechnic Institute
In 1948, the Polytechnic School changed its name to the Polytechnic Institute and comprised four faculties (Mechanics, Electrotechnics, Constructions and Chemistry) with 12 specialization sections.