Danubius University, July 27 – 28

Danubius University of Galati, Romania, together with its co-organizing partners, University of Camerino, Free International University of Moldova, Republic of Moldova, University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev", Bulgaria, Aleksander Moisiu University of Durres, Albania, County School Inspectorate, Galati and Teaching-Staff Resource Center, Galati County Center for Resources and Educational Assistance, "Education Is Power" Association is pleased to invite you to the hybrid INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Education in the Digital Era - 2nd Edition, hosted by Danubius University of Galati, Romania.

The central theme of this event focuses on the searching practical solutions for teaching, learning and assessment in this new challenging context of digitalization. The participants, academics and researchers meet yearly in order to exchange information and to conceptually debate the wide range domain of education. Mobilizing experts from different fields, the Conference regards interdisciplinarity as a goal of academic research.

The purpose of the Annual International Conference Education in the Digital Era is to provide a forum for exchange of ideas and research outcomes on the following themes:

1. The Reflective, Creative and Innovative Teacher in the Digital Era;

2. Inclusive Educational Environment in the Virtual School;

3. The Professionalization of Teaching Career in the Digital World;

4. Initial Teacher Training and Continuous Professional Development - a New Challenge;

5. Artificial Intelligence in Educational Research.

6. Estudentiana (Students and PhD students)

All accepted papers will be published in the Didactica Danubiensis, under the ISSN reference 2821-4374.

Details- https://conferences.univ-danubius.ro/index.php/EED/EED2023

The President of the Galati County , Galati, Mr. Costel Fotea, accompanied by mrs. Camelia Epure, public administrator and mrs. Elena Checherita - Program Directorate Inspector, visited Danubius University together with the Romanian-American AngelouEconomics delegation consisting of Angelos Angelou, Executive Director, Esther Angelou, Founder and Andrei Buzatu, Director of International Business Development and Mr. Cristian Pohrib, 24TV.

On behalf of Danubius University, the Rector and CEO of UDG, Dr. Steve O. Michael, Dr. Alina Beatrice Raileanu, Vice-Rector for Business and Administration, Dr. Emanuel Marinescu, Director of the Department of International Relations, Dr. Carmen Cretu, Dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration, Dr. Adrian Beteringhe, head of the Informatics Department, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, Dr. Iulian Savenco, Department Director, School of Law, Mrs. Ana Iuliana Mihai, Chief of Staff, Mrs. Oana Draganescu, Marketing and PR Director, Mrs. Gina Goga, Legal Department, Mr. Ionut Ichim, IT Department, Mrs. Andra Marcu, Department of Continuous Training and Technological Information and Dr. Alina Beatrice Chesca, translator.

During this meeting, the leaders of DU discussed several projects that could be implemented for the benefit of Danube students, especially in the IT field.

Walk15 is a start-up company that offers step challenges for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, which launched a unique step challenge for Romania, called "Walk for Romania!"

Walk15 wants to involve as many Romanians as possible to walk for Romania around the Earth. The challenge started on Earth Day (April 22) and ends at the end of August. The goal is to collect 500 million steps, which is enough to walk 10 times around the Earth.

How does the challenge work?

1. Join the challenge and then join your county's team.

2. Invite your family, friends and the whole community to participate.

3. Your steps will be transformed into real trees that will be planted in Romania!

Teams will be divided by county, so we're asking for your help in spreading the word about this steps challenge. Anyone can join by following this link via their mobile phone - https://walk15.app/challenge/6ccc9b45-8cf8-4db6-9688-67305304425b

If they already have the Walk15 app, then they can join the challenge directly. For those who do not have the app, it can be downloaded for free from any mobile phone.

Let's walk together and plant the first steps forest in Romania. The more steps we take, the more trees will be planted in Romania!

Undeterred by the sudden political riots that engulfed several cities in Republic of Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Steve O. Michael, Rector and CEO of Danubius University, proceeded with the travel arrangements to meet with the higher education leaders in Islamabad from May 11-16, 2023.  The meeting with the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Republic of Pakistan was described as the first of its kind between Romania and Republic of Pakistan.  Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, Higher Education Commission, along with his senior officials including Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission, welcomed Rector Michael to the HEC office.  Rector Michael was accompanied by Georgeta Topciu and Stefan Vrabie of IDLC—Danubius Representative to Republic of Pakistan. 

Providing a brief history of the Commission, Prof. Ahmed stated that “a new and ambitious journey to comprehensively reform Higher Education in Republic of Pakistan started with the establishment of [the] Higher Education Commission (HEC) in 2002.” He noted that the mission of the Commission was to propel the engine and socio-economic development of the country.  The Commission serves as the executive arm of the government to coordinate and manage the affairs of the tertiary education.  The Commission overseas quality assurance, higher education policy, as well as funding under the leadership of the Chairman who operates almost like the minister of education. 

Professor Michael provided a brief history of Danubius University and the intention of the University to become a model of internationalized institution in Eastern Europe.  “With my extensive international background, I could afford to retire early from the US where I had my training and university leadership experience, to lead Danubius University at this time toward its global vision.”  Rector Michael further noted that his visit to Republic of Pakistan was to explore opportunities for collaboration with higher education institutions and leaders. 

“I am interested also in how countries organize their higher education systems and especially how they are responding to an increasingly globalized environment,” stated Rector Michael.  He said his travels across the globe provide opportunities for him to learn from higher education leaders.  Professor Ahmed noted that the higher education system in Republic of Pakistan is expanding rapidly. “For example, we have 59 universities with enrollment of 276,274 students in 2002 and by 2014-15, the number has increased to 178 with enrollment of 1.3 million,” said Professor Ahmed. 

The meeting ended with a pledge from Professor Ahmed to help Danubius connect with any university of interest in Republic of Pakistan.