Ovidius University of Constanța () is a public higher education institution in Constanța, Romania founded in 1961 as a Pedagogical Institute and transformed into a comprehensive university in 1990. As the Charter of the university states, the Pedagogical Institute was founded by Order of the Ministry of Education no. 654 of 1961, comprising four faculties. By State Council Decree no. 209 of 1977 the institute became a Higher Education Institute and reorganized. By Government Decision 209 of 1990 the institute became a university and, a year later, by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science no. 4894 of 1991, the university was given the present name. The university is notable for having Romanian singer Inna as one of its alumni. The university is named after the famous Roman poet Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso), who spent the later years of his life in the ancient Greek colony of Tomis, the ancient name for Constanța, about 2,000 years ago. The university has two main campuses, both located in Constanța. The central campus, hosting the headquarters of the university and the faculties of sciences and engineering, is located at 124 Mamaia Boulevard, whereas the north campus is located at 1 University Alley, hosting the faculties of humanities and theology, social sciences, life and medical sciences. Ovidius University is a member of the European University Association (EUA), the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE), and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF, Francophone University Association). It is founding member of the Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN) and of the Balkan Universities Network (BUA) and it hosts the permanent general secretariat of BSUN. History 1961 to 1989 As the Charter of the university states, in 1961 the Pedagogical Institute was founded by Order of the Ministry of Education no. 654. The order was signed by Academician Ilie G. Murgulescu, the Minister of Education and Culture, at the time. The institute consisted of four faculties: Faculty of Letters (with majors in Romanian Language and Romanian literature) Faculty of Mathematics (major in Mathematics) Faculty of Physics and Chemistry (major in Physics & Chemistry as well as in applied sciences) Faculty of Natural Sciences (major in natural sciences and in agriculture). The institute started in 1961 with 198 students and 31 academic staff. Over time, an additional program in History and Geography was set up. By State Council Decree no. 209 of 1977 the institute