On June 27-28, Bucharest hosted the annual Regional Rectors’ Conference (C2R-ECO), organized by the Francophone University Agency for Central and Eastern Europe. Centered around the theme “University Francophonie in the Context of Global Challenges: Perspectives for Central and Eastern Europe,” the event took place at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. The conference brought together leaders and prominent representatives from over 50 member institutions across 15 countries, as well as around 20 members in three thematic committees formed within C2R-ECO. The Technical University of Moldova was represented by its rector, Prof. Dr. Viorel BOSTAN, Associate Prof. Dr. Nina PUȚUNTEAN, and Lecturer Dr. Daniela ISTRATI.
The official opening of the conference featured speeches from notable academic figures, including Constantin Marius PROFIROIU, Vice-Rector of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies; Sorin Mihai CÎMPEANU, President of AUF; Mihnea COSTOIU, ECO Representative on the AUF Board of Directors and Rector of the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest; and Dan CAȘCAVAL, President of C2R-ECO and Rector of the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași.
AUF Rector, Prof. Slim KHALBOUS, presented the main achievements for the 2023-2024 period, offering insights into collaboration opportunities for 2024-2025 and details about the Francophone International Mobility and Employability Program (PIMEF). A highlight of the conference was the speech by guest of honor Arthur MATTLI, Ambassador of Switzerland to the UAE and former Ambassador to Romania, who delivered a talk on Swiss scientific diplomacy. His discourse underscored the importance of diplomacy in the service of science and science in the service of diplomacy, providing valuable perspectives on international academic collaboration.
The initial working meetings of the three thematic committees focused on the internationalization of Francophone universities in Central and Eastern Europe, the development of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the academic environment, and scientific research in the Francophone space. These sessions identified numerous issues and formulated concrete proposals for intervention. The Technical University of Moldova was represented in two of the thematic committees by Associate Prof. Dr. Nina PUȚUNTEAN, member of the “Internationalization and Mobility” Committee, and Lecturer Dr. Daniela ISTRATI, member of the “Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence” Committee.
UTM’s participation in C2R-ECO underlined the University’s commitment to partnering with other Francophone institutions in the region and contributing to the promotion of quality higher education.
The Central and Eastern Europe Regional Rectors’ Conference serves as an essential platform for discussing current strategic issues in higher education within the AUF region and proposing directions for collaboration and development. This year’s edition in Bucharest highlighted the importance of international cooperation and academic exchanges for the sustainable development of higher education institutions in Central and Eastern Europe.
