PREAMBLE

The Second European Conference on Harmonisation of PhD Programmes in Biomedicine and Health Sciences, held in Zagreb in 2005, included delegates from Medical Schools and/or Schools of Public Health from 33 universities, from 21 European countries as well as the representatives of four major pan-European bodies concerned with issues relating to academic biomedicine and health sciences, namely AMSE (Association of Medical Schools in Europe), ASPHER (Association of Schools of Public Health of the European Region), EMA (European Medical Association) and AMEE (Association for Medical Education in Europe). It followed the First Conference, held in April 2004, the outcome of which was the Zagreb Declaration representing the first European consensus document including definition the of PhD degree in biomedicine and health sciences. The Zagreb Conferences warmly endorsed the principles underlying the Bologna Declaration, the Zagreb Declaration and successor documents: the development of increased collaboration, enhanced mobility and common practices and standards, with the objective of creating a Europe-wide higher education and scientific area, to the benefit of PhD candidates, as well as the people and the economy of Europe. In biomedicine and health sciences, the benefits to the economy, to the development of science and education, and in improved health-care are likely to be high. The 2005 Zagreb Conference also agreed that development of high quality PhD programmes, and the setting of uniform criteria for PhD degrees in Europe, as the Third Degree Cycle within the Bologna framework, is essential. To achieve this goal, participants of the Conference reached the consensus for the need of specialised European organization named ORPHEUS.

Having regard to Article 11 of the Associations Act (″Official Journal″ No 88/01), the Constituent Assembly of ORPHEUS - ORganisation of PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the EUropean System in its session held on November 12, 2006 in Dubrovnik, Croatia, has adopted the following:

STATUTE

I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

This statute lays down the provisions regarding the title, seat and representation; objectives and activities aimed at their fulfilment; publicity about the Association's activities; membership and membership fees; members' rights and obligations; internal structure; bodies within the Association, their make-up, authorities, decision making processes, conditions and procedures of their election and revocation, terms of office, as well as responsibility of its members; property and management of potential gains, procedures of property accumulation; termination and the procedure with property in the event of termination of the Association's existence.

Article 2

Full title of the Association: Organisation for PhD education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the European System (Europska udruga doktorskih studija u području biomedicine i zdravstva),

Abbreviated title of the Association: ORPHEUS

Seat of the Association: Medical School Zagreb University, Salata 11, Zagreb, Croatia

Article 3

ORPHEUS is an association registered at the Office of Public Administration of the City of Zagreb.

ORPHEUS is a non-profit legal person.

Article 4

The Association has a seal.

The Association's seal is: round, with a diameter of 3 cm. The following lines are engraved along its rim: Europska udruga doktorskih studija u području biomedicine i zdravstva - Zagreb - Organisation for PhD education in biomedicine and health sciences in the european system

Article 5

The Association is represented by its President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Executive Committee may authorise other persons to represent the Association.