1.838 sustainable development experts trained by the University of Bucharest under the postgraduate program “Expert in Sustainable Development”

September marks the conclusion of one of the most ambitious professional training programs in Romania’s public administration: the postgraduate program “Expert in Sustainable Development”, organized by the University of Bucharest. Held between March and July 2025, the program trained 1,838 experts in sustainable development, all part of the national network supporting the implementation of Romania’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2030.

This program is part of a national initiative launched by the Department for Sustainable Development to build a professional body of 2,000 specialists in public administration – both at central and local levels – dedicated to supporting the Strategy’s implementation.

The University of Bucharest was awarded the responsibility of running courses in 7 out of Romania’s 8 regions, with an initial target of 1,754 participants. In the end, 84 more people enrolled and graduated, showing the high level of interest in this type of training. At UB, the project was carried out through the UniBuc Consult Training and Consultancy Service.

Graduates received official certification for the occupation “Expert in Sustainable Development”, recognized nationally. Their achievement is celebrated through 8 regional graduation ceremonies, where diplomas are awarded to mark the program’s success.

Lot 1 – North-West: 266 graduates – Cluj Gala, September 3

Lot 2 – Center: 238 graduates – Târgu Mureș Gala, September 18

Lot 3 – North-East: 340 graduates – Iași Gala, September 2

Lot 5 – South-Muntenia: 296 graduates – Pitești Gala, September 9

Lot 6 – Bucharest-Ilfov: 245 graduates – Bucharest Gala, September 15

Lot 7 – South-West Oltenia: 194 graduates – Craiova Gala, September 10

Lot 8 – West: 175 graduates – Timișoara Gala, September 17

At the Bucharest gala, UB will be represented by Prof. Marian Preda, PhD, the rector of the university. At the Cluj, Craivo, Târgu Mureș galas, the University of Bucharest is represented by Prof. Răzvan Papuc, PhD, Vice-Rector for Infrastructure, Adminstration and Heritage.

At the Iași gala, the University of Bucharest was represented by Prof. Lucian Ciolan, PhD, Vice-Rector for Development Projects, Lifelong Learning, and Educational Infrastructure. Also, at the Pitești gala UB was represented by Prof. Laura Comănescu, PhD, Vice-Rector for Study programmes and Students’ Practical Training.

The postgraduate course “Expert in Sustainable Development”, coordinated by Prof. Magdalena Platis, PhD, Vice-Rector for Students, Quality Management, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility, was organized by the University of Bucharest together with partners Ascendis Consulting, SMART Integration SRL, and Goldbach Consulting SRL, with the support of the General Secretariat of the Government – Department for Sustainable Development. The operational management of the project was ensured by Lect. Ionuț Constantin, PhD, teaching staff at the Faculty of Business and Administration of UB.

Each series of courses lasted up to 20 weeks, totaling 220 training hours, structured as follows:

• 180 hours according to occupational standards: 60 hours of online theory, 120 hours of in-person practical activities.
• 40 additional hours on key topics: climate change, circular economy, sustainable and urban ecosystems, institutional capacity development for implementing sustainable development goals, and securing funding for sustainable projects (green procurement, taxonomy, DNSH analysis).

In-person courses took place in Bucharest, Pitești, Craiova, Timișoara, Cluj, Iași, and Târgu Mureș. All costs (transport, accommodation, meals, and venues) were covered by the General Secretariat of the Government – Department for Sustainable Development, through its contracted partners.

The program strengthens the institutional and professional capacity of Romania’s public administration, ensuring that civil servants and contractual staff have the skills needed to implement and monitor sustainable development initiatives.

More details are available here and here.