Highlights from the Academic Diplomacy in the context of European University Alliances conference in Timisoara, Romania

Between October 31 and November 1, 2024, the Western University of Timișoara, Romania hosted an event entitled “Academic Diplomacy in the context of European University Alliances”. Bringing together leaders from education and diplomacy, it addressed the impact of European University Alliances on education and research in Romania and the opportunities offered by these alliances for reconnection with the diaspora.

Among the participants of this conference were Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Luminița Odobescu, as well as seven Romanian ambassadors abroad, representatives of 21 Romanian universities that are members of European alliances, and other interested parties.

Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest and EU-CONEXUS were represented by Dr. Mădălina Mirela Stoian, Vice-Rector – Heritage, Human Resources and Administrative Policies, Dr. Valentina Manea, Dean – Faculty of Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Buildings, and Lavinia Turcu – EU-CONEXUS Communication and External Relations Coordinator. Their participation was supported by a project titled CNFIS-FDI-2024-F-0616 – UTCB – European Benchmark for Excellence in Education and Research in Construction, targeted area: Increasing the degree of internationalisation of higher education in Romania.

The event agenda featured:

• Round table discussion titled “Diplomacy of Knowledge and Science: Romania in Europe through European University Alliances,” which addressed the contribution and benefits of Romania within European alliances from perspectives of diplomacy, education, and research;
• Workshop titled “European Diploma: National and European perspectives,” which presented good practices from various universities on the topic.

The participants had an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas about the potential of education and research in the European context, acknowledging inter-university collaboration networks as an essential component in the field of education.

The last day of the event also included a session dedicated to reconnecting with the academic diaspora. It highlighted the role of European university alliances in supporting research and education by bringing an international dimension to local campuses and communities.