For Zakaria Douazi, choosing a specialization in Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) was no accident. It came naturally, through direct contact with patients, hands-on practice, and a teaching experience that clarified his professional direction as early as his fifth year of study: “The teaching approach and the quality of practical training made me fall in love with this specialty and choose Otorhinolaryngology without hesitation.”

The decisive moment in selecting his specialization, however, came during his fifth year, in the ENT practical sessions coordinated by Assistant Professor Dana Zdremțan. Direct interaction with the specialty, the rigor of the training, and closeness to the patient clearly shaped the professional path he would follow.

Originally from Casablanca, Morocco, Dr. Zakaria Douazi is a 2025 graduate of the Vasile Goldiș Western University in Arad and is currently a resident physician specializing in Otorhinolaryngology (ENT). His medical journey continues in Arad at the County Emergency Clinical Hospital, within the UVVG Training Center.

His path to Romania began through the recommendation of some family friends, former UVVG students who now practice medicine in Morocco, and he has never regretted the decision. One of his most cherished memories from his student years remains direct engagement with medical practice in its most intense form: “Participating in the operating room and assisting in childbirth gave me the chance to experience firsthand the emotion and beauty of life at its very beginning,” Zakaria recalls, describing experiences that reinforced his motivation to pursue medicine with responsibility and empathy.

Beyond academics, student life at UVVG also meant engagement outside the classroom. He was part of the university’s volleyball team, with which he won the Volleyball Cup in a competition held in Iași, featuring Francophone teams from across Romania. Additionally, he served as an organizer for the Medicamp project and volunteered in activities supporting Ukrainian refugees in Sighetu Marmației.

Regarding professional training, Zakaria emphasizes the role of faculty and hands-on practice. In his sixth year, disciplines such as Anesthesia and Pain Therapy (ATI) provided a solid foundation of applied knowledge: “I gained significant practical skills, especially regarding anesthesia procedures and essential clinical maneuvers, performed correctly and safely.” He also particularly values courses in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as Hematology.

For students just beginning their journey, his message is straightforward and realistic: “I recommend that students take advantage of every learning opportunity and actively engage in their training. Medicine requires effort and dedication, but it offers invaluable rewards.” At the same time, he highlights the importance of balancing personal life with the responsibilities of a profession that “remains one of the most noble in the world.”