The Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS) is celebrating 20 years since its establishment and more than three decades of external quality evaluation processes conducted in the Romanian higher education system.
To mark this meaningful milestone in the development of the quality assurance system in Romania, we are organising an International Anniversary Conference, which will bring together approximately 200 national and international participants, representatives of Romanian higher education institutions and students, of the Ministry of Education and Research and the Romanian Academy, colleagues from quality assurance agencies and other relevant organisations and stakeholders who have been part of our journey over the past three decades. The event will take place between 6-7 October 2025, in Brașov, Romania.
The conference is organized in partnership with the Transilvania University of Brașov, the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest (UNSTPB) and the Foundation of the UNSTPB – HIPOLITECH.
The conference agenda features a diverse range of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, all focused on topics related to quality assurance and the future of higher education.
Conference agenda:
|
ARACIS 20th Anniversary International Conference 6 – 7 October 2025 Aula “Sergiu Chiriacescu”, Transilvania University of Brașov Str. Iuliu Maniu nr. 41A, Brașov, Romania |
|
| Monday, 6 October 2025 | |
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Registration |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Welcome address
Simona Lache, Vice-rector, Transilvania University of Brașov Valentin Năvrăpescu, President, ARACIS Council Opening remarks Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission Daniel-Ovidiu David, Romanian Minister of Education and Research Sorin-Mihai Cîmpeanu, President, National Council of Rectors |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | ARACIS after 20 years
Valentin Năvrăpescu, President, ARACIS Council Mădălin Bunoiu, Former ARACIS Council President (2022-2023) Iordan Petrescu, Former ARACIS Council President (2013-2021) Radu Damian, Former ARACIS Council member (2006-2012) Daniela-Cristina Ghițulică, ARACIS General Director, Former ARACIS Council Vice-president (2013-2021) – ”ARACIS 20 years later” presentation |
| 12:30 – 13:15 | Quality Assurance fit for the changing world of higher education
Douglas Blackstock, President, European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) Stéphane Lauwick, President, European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) Moderator: Simona Lache, Vice-rector, Transilvania University of Brașov |
| 13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Evolving legal framework for Quality Assurance in Romania
Ligia Deca, Former Minister of Education (2022 – 2024) Daniel Funeriu, Former Minister of Education (2009 – 2012) Mircea Miclea, Former Minister of Education (2004 – 2005) Liviu Maior, Former Minister of Education (1992 – 1996) Moderator: Alexandru-Mihai Ghigiu, President, Commission for Education, Chamber of Deputies, The Romanian Parliament |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee break |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Building trust through stakeholders’ involvement in Quality Assurance
Diana-Asinefta Moș, Rector, National University of Music Bucharest Viorel Jinga, Rector, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest Costel Negricea, Rector, Romanian-American University Florin Drăgan, Rector, Politehnica University of Timișoara Marilen-Gabriel Pirtea, Rector, West University of Timișoara Anton Hadăr, President, ,,Alma Mater” National Trade Union Federation Cristian Erbașu, CEO Erbașu Constructions, ARACIS Council member Romina Pascaru, President, National Union of Students in Romania (UNSR), ARACIS Council member Sergiu Covaci, President, National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania (ANOSR), ARACIS Council member Moderator: Marius Petrescu, General Secretary ARACIS Council |
| Tuesday, 7 October 2025 | |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Quality Assurance to support the development of European Universities Alliances
Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Member of the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission Aleksandar Šušnjar, Director, European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) Elena Cîrlan, Senior Policy and Project Coordinator, European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) Daciana Pop, Vice-President, European Students’ Union (ESU) Luminița Matei, Director General, Department for International Relations, European Affairs and Relationship with OECD, Ministry of Education and Research Romania Moderator: Romiță Iucu, President, Board of Trustees, University of Bucharest |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 – 13:15 | Trends shaping the future of higher education
Ștefan Popenici, AI researcher – ”The challenge of AI” presentation Alina Sava, Education Specialist, World Bank (WB) Simon Roy, Head of the Higher Education Policy programme, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Michael Gaebel, Director of the Higher Education Policy Unit, European University Association (EUA) Horia Onița, Head of the EHEA Secretariat, former ESU president Dragoș Iliescu, Director of the Doctoral School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Intelligence Journal Moderator: Mircea Dumitru, Vice-president, Romanian Academy |
| 13:15 – 13:30 | Closing words
Daniel-Ovidiu David, Romanian Minister of Education and Research (TBC) Valentin Năvrăpescu, President, ARACIS Council |
| 13:15 – 14:30 | Lunch |
