The University of Bucharest has discussed the institutional development strategy for 2024 – 2028

The members of the Administration Board of the University of Bucharest have reunited, between April 12^th – 14^th 2014, in Sinaia, to discuss the institutional development strategy for 2024 – 2028.

The strategy focuses on practical objectives and actions which aim to improve the quality of teaching and research activity, consolidating human resources and infrastructure, as well as the extent of UB’s engagement at national and international level. The central objective of the strategy is to increase the national and international competitiveness of UB, with an accent on quality and progression in national and international rankings.

Contouring objectives and strategic directions meant to consolidate and extend the role and impact of the university in the national and international educational and academic landscape, the institutional development strategy of the University of Bucharest for 2024 – 2028 reflects a concerted effort to identify and approach the key priorities which will guide our activities in the following years. From improving the quality of education and research to consolidating partnerships and the extent of international influence, the strategy has at its core practical and measurable aspects, conceived to ensure the constant progress of the university, highlighted professor Marian Preda, PhD, the President of the Administration Board and the Rector of the University of Bucharest.

During the three days of the strategic planning session, the members of the Administration Board established both the general objectives of the institutional development strategy, as well as the main directions of action concerning the 5 main sectorial strategies of UB: study programs, research, infrastructure, human resources, and internationalization.

Thus, a first direction that the University of Bucharest will concentrate its efforts on between 2024 – 2028 aims at developing new study programs, especially interdisciplinary ones, as well as postdoctoral programs. An important element of the strategy concerns revising educational plans and curricular restructuring based on the results of training.  At the same time, the strategy aims to increase the number of study programs in foreign languages, but also to develop joint study programs with CIVIS universities, and the introduction of the European Degree.

At the same time, in order to sustain the development of education in Romania, the members of the UB Administration Board have proposed building a tighter bond with the pre-university education system, by founding new centers of excellence for pupils with good performances, as well as the development of training programs for inspectors and teaching staff. In the same direction, it was also proposed that teaching staff of the University of Bucharest become involved in contouring the curriculum and creating handbooks or preparation books for the disciplines required at the Baccalaureate exam.

In what concerns research actions, the members of the Administration Board have approved the methodology for setting up UB research centers and proposed the development of projects to promote merits in research, as well as the development of support and mentoring programs for young researchers, such as summer schools for article writing, project management or research projects writing.

In what concerns university infrastructure, the aim is to increase the quality of conditions of learning, research and work for teaching staff, administrative staff and UB students. Thus, along with finalizing some projects which are currently under work (the ex-asylum Elena Doamna, the UB Palace, Sinaia Zoological Station, Brăila Biological Research Centre, Orșova Geographical Station, Eșelnița Station – Centre for Monitoring Species and Habitats, Țara Hațegului International UNESCO Geopark), new works to improve university infrastructure will be commenced, such as creating more accommodation places in student campuses, the rehabilitation and modernizing the Academica Guest House or the reactivation of the University House, including the Garden.

The importance of developing training and consultancy services was also underlined, using the UB brand as a vehicle to position the university on the market as a consultancy provider with high expertise. Not lastly, UB administration members also discussed creating an innovation strategy, by developing an innovation Hub and a Centre for innovation and digital training which would constitute the center administration point for all digital resources of the University of Bucharest.

The strategy of the University of Bucharest for 2024 – 2028 and the sectorial strategies, which will form an integral part of the general strategy, will be finalized and approved in the Administration Board by the end of May, and in July – September, the faculties’ strategic plans will also be discussed and finalized.

With a presence in the academic space spanning over several centuries, the University of Bucharest is reaffirming, through the 2024 – 2028 development strategy, its firm commitment to promoting high values in teaching and research.

Established by Decree no. 765 from July 4th/16th 1864 signed by Ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza and successor of the superior education structures inaugurated by the Princely Academy, in 1694, the University of Bucharest is nowadays a dynamic and inclusive space, student-centered and characterized by creativity, innovation and a pragmatic approach. Central actor of Romanian and European higher education, the University of Bucharest has consecrated itself, along its 160 years of activity, as an institution of excellence in education and research, which has as its priority preparing students for life and career.

Comprising 19 faculties offering 95 Bachelor programs, 223 Master programs, 23 PhD Schools on specific domains, and a school for interdisciplinary PhD studies, over 50 centers and 9 research stations, UB is part, since 2019, of the CIVIS University Alliance next to ten other prestigious institutions: Aix-Marseille Université, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Sapienza Università di Roma, Stockholm University, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Glasgow University, Paris Lodron University in Salzburg and the University of Lausanne.