The University of Bucharest, Present in Chișinău as a Partner of the “Culture and Academic Dialogue: Openings Towards the Common European Future” Series, Organized by the State University of Moldova

During March 23-24, 2023, the University of Bucharest organized, in partnership with the State University of Moldova and the Romanian Cultural Institute, the series of scientific events Culture and academic dialogue: openings towards the common European future, embodied in two conferences: “Universities in our common cultural milieu” and “100 years since the adoption of the Romanian Constitution of 1923”.

The events, hosted by the State University of Moldova, brought together academics and scientists from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, teaching staff, PhD students, students and institutional partners, aiming to facilitate didactic, scientific and cultural dialogue between universities.

The opening of the series of conferences, which took place on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in the “Regina Maria” Hall of the USM, was attended by prof. Marian Preda, PhD, rector of the University of Bucharest, assoc. prof. Igor Sharov, PhD, rector of the State University of Moldova, Valentina Chicu, advisor to the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu, and Sergiu Nistor, advisor to the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis.

The University of Bucharest was represented at the event by prof. Marian Preda, PhD, UB rector and teaching staff at the Faculty of Sociology and Social Assistance, prof. Bogdan Murgescu, vice-rector for Budgeting and Human Resources and teaching staff at the Faculty of History of the University of Bucharest, prof. Sorin Costreie, vice-rector for University Networks and Public Relations and teaching staff at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Bucharest, as well as teaching staff and doctoral students from the Faculties of Law, Philosophy, History and Sociology and Social Work.

In the opening of the “Culture and academic dialogue: openings towards the common European future” series, prof. Marian Preda, rector of the University of Bucharest, argued that the responsibility of those who run the current institutions in the two countries, where universities have an essential role, is to ensure that the historical heritage is carried forward and capitalized, but also that the negative totalitarianism will not be repeated in the future. “For this we must form elites, generations of leaders in the spirit of respect for the past and present, for national values, but also for the fundamental values ​​of humanity, which are taught in the universities, the true guardians of culture and values, the crucible of ideas and elites of modern states”, mentioned prof. Marian Preda, PhD.Assoc. prof. Sorin Costreie, PhD, keynote speaker at Universities in our common cultural milieu conference, spoke about the importance of European university networks as a vector of European integration.

Thus, prof. Sorin Costreie brought to the fore the experience of international study and the intercultural exchange that the academic community can benefit from through various mobility programs in Europe. Also, prof. Bogdan Murgescu, PhD, and assoc. prof. Florentina Nițu, PhD, teaching staff at the Faculty of History of the University of Bucharest, were moderators for two of the parallel sessions held within the conference Universities in our common cultural milieu.

Keynote speaker at the conference 100 years since the adoption of the Romanian Constitution from 1923, assoc. prof. Bogdan Dima, PhD, pointed out that the Great Union of 1918 was followed, at a distance of several years, by the adoption by the Assembly of Deputies and the Bucharest Senate, on March 26-27, 1923, of a new Constitution, with the goal of perfecting the unity of Romania. Also, in the same conference, the University of Bucharest was represented by prof. Răzvan Dincă, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Law.

Also, the organization by UB, USM and ICR of the scientific conferences in the “Culture and academic dialogue: openings towards the common European future” series was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, through the messages delivered by their counsellors. The two presidents emphasized the academic environment’s interest in increasing the role of education, culture and cultural heritage in the fruition of the European vocation of the Republic of Moldova.The full program of the scientific conferences “Universities in our common cultural milieu” and “100 years since the adoption of the Romanian Constitution of 1923” can be consulted here.