On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the jury of the 12th edition of the UBtalks competition announced this year’s winners. Out of more than 75 students, master’s, and PhD candidates from the University of Bucharest who signed up, 35 were selected to present their #10/10 projects in front of the jury during the event’s final.
The diversity of topics, the interdisciplinary nature of the projects, and the originality of the presentations made the jury’s task a challenging one. The jury was chaired by Prof. Dr. Liviu Papadima.
From presentations on how mathematics can win political elections to fresh perspectives on traditional Angolan dances, from international relations to podcasts as the voice of a generation, the winning projects impressed the jury with their content, originality, and stage presence. In addition to the main awards, the University of Bucharest also recognized the most creative presentations with 6 spots at the Creativity School in Sinaia (July 26 – August 2, 2025) and 2 places at the coLABORATORY of IDEAS in Sinaia (October 28 – November 2, 2025).
Cash prizes from AQUA Carpatica and BCR, shopping vouchers from Kaufland
Besides the chance to exchange ideas and build new friendships with peers from different faculties, the lucky finalists received cash prizes and shopping vouchers courtesy of AQUA Carpatica, BCR, and Kaufland Romania, as well as access to the Creativity School in Cumpătu, Sinaia.
The 2025 jury, led by Prof. Dr. Liviu Papadima – founder of UBtalks – also included Prof. Dr. Alexandra Crăciun, Ada Roseti (freelancer and science communication expert), Loredana Samoilă (PR Manager at Kaufland Romania), Diana Toma (Social Media Manager at AQUA Carpatica), and Oana Mica (Communication Project Manager at AQUA Carpatica).
AQUA Carpatica awarded the following projects for Clarity of Speech: €300 to “How Can Math Win Political Elections?” presented by Andrei Marin, Physics student, €200 to “Extreme Alienation of the Female Character – Nonconformism as Social Suicide in the Novels ‘Convenience Store Woman’ by Sayaka Murata and ‘The Vegetarian’ by Han Kang” presented by Diana Buluc, student at the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and €200 to “The Child’s Brain: A Visual Journey” presented by Alexandra Fintoiu, Biology student.
BCR, continuing its support in 2025, awarded: €200 to “The Christian Community in Syria: Identity and History” presented by Maria Farah, Faculty of Letters, €200 to “Radio UB – Creating a University Media Channel” by Maria-Serafima Din, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, and €200 to “Algorithmic Justice: A Near Reality” by Suad Abdelalh Abdallaisa, Faculty of Philosophy.
Kaufland Romania awarded: 1,000 lei for Originality to “Promoting the Hidden Beach in Șuncuiuș, Bihor – A Little-Known Destination with Major Tourism Potential” by ADventurers team (Amalia-Mihaela Popa, Elena Mădălina Preda, Andreea Florina Neagu), Faculty of Administration and Business, 700 lei for Innovation to “CEAI DE ZIS – How a Student-Led Podcast Can Become the Voice of a Generation” by Ceai de Zis team (Bianca Movileanu and Ștefan Petre), Journalism and Communication Studies students, 500 lei for Sustainability to “How Can Math Win Political Elections?” by Andrei Marin.
The University of Bucharest also rewarded the most creative presentations with 6 fully-covered spots at the Creativity School, taking place July 26 – August 2, 2025, in Sinaia. Winners include: Simona Constantin, Sociology and Social Work, Luca Manole, Political Science, Rebeca Gheorghe and Raluca Maria Eșeanu from Team Crispy, Bianca Movileanu and Ștefan Petre from Team Ceai de Zis.
Lastly, the University of Bucharest awarded the most innovative presentations with 2 spots at the 2025 edition of the coLABORATORY of IDEAS, happening in Sinaia from October 28 to November 2, awarded: Alexandru Emilian Crăciun, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, for “Oportune – A Digital Ecosystem That Centralizes Volunteering, Events, Conferences, Jobs, Internships, Scholarships, Funding, and Mentorship Programs”, and Andrei Marin, Faculty of Physics, for “How Can Math Win Political Elections?”.
