On September, 22, 2023, Danubius University continued the tradition started last year, the Annual Leadership Retreat. The Annual Retreat brings university leaders together to review the past year's achievements and issues, and plan for the upcoming academic year. This year's Retreat was important because of the introduction of the new 7-year Strategic Plan for which leaders worked together to develop the timeline for implementation.

Another special event at the Retreat was the invited Guest Speaker, Dr. Jan Greenwood, from the United States. The Rector, Dr. Steve Michael, introduced Dr. Greenwood as one of the higher education leaders in the US, "who is widely known across the public and private higher education systems." Dr. Greenwood spoke about the characteristics of successful executive leaders and how leaders are identified and selected in the US.

The Retreat concluded with a review of the newly enacted Romanian higher education law. Next year's Retreat is set for September 20, 2024.

Presentation offered by Gabriela Mustata Wilson, PhD, MSc, FHIMSS, SNAI, FIAHSI

Gabriela Mustata Wilson, PhD, MSc, FHIMSS, SNAI, FIAHSI

Co-Director of the Multi-Interprofessional Center for Health Informatics and Director of Health Informatics and Public Health Informatics

Professor, Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation

The University of Texas at Arlington

ABSTRACT: In the dynamic landscape of Biomedical Informatics and Public Health Informatics, collaboration has emerged as a transformative force that fuels innovation, accelerates research, and drives workforce development. This presentation delves into “The Power of Collaboration,” exploring the synergies between these two critical domains. Research and workforce development initiatives in public health informatics, biomedical informatics and data science will be provided to demonstrate how collaboration has become the key player for advancing knowledge, improving healthcare outcomes, and preparing a future-ready workforce.

SHORT BIO: Dr. Gabriela Mustata Wilson is an internationally recognized health informatics expert passionate about harnessing the power of research and translating it into community action. With extensive experience in both industry and academia, Dr. Wilson currently serves as a Professor and Founding Co-Director of the Multi-Interprofessional Center for Health Informatics (MICHI) at the University of Texas at Arlington and the Director of MICHI’s Health and Public Health Informatics division. With a background in chemical engineering, pharmacoinformatics, health informatics, and public health informatics, Dr. Wilson’s most recent activities focus on workforce development in public health informatics, biomedical informatics, and biotechnology, including research and education to address racial injustice and health inequity. She is a Fellow member of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics, a Senior National Academy of Inventors member, and member of the American-Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences. For her contributions to the Health Informatics field and ongoing commitment to driving transformational change and leading towards improved health outcomes through the advancement of the best use of information and technology, Dr. Gabriela Wilson received the prestigious 2023 HIMSS Changemaker in Health, Most Influential Women in Health IT Award. 

Senate Room, on October, 17,

10.00 A.M.

Danubius University

Free entrance!

On Thursday, October 14, 2023, university rectors of private universities from Romania and the Republic of Moldova participated in a working meeting at Danubius University.

At the invitation of the President of the Administrative Board of Danubius University, Dr. Andy Pușca and the Danubius University Rector, Dr. Steve O. Michael, several rectors of the private universities from Romania and the Republic of Moldova participated in a working meeting for the purpose of continuing their yearlong deliberations on collaboration aimed at expanding opportunities for their respective students and enhancing their higher education systems.

During the event, the Rector of DU, Dr. Steve O. Michael, presented the article he wrote about higher education law and system to the rectors and reiterated the importance of the involvement of private universities in the economic, social and cultural life of their communities. He observed that private universities in Romania and Moldova are operating in environments that are relatively new to the market economy; hence, the non-inclusion or the limited inclusion of the private sector issues in the public higher education discourse and deliberations. The participants discussed how best to access European funding for research and how to work together to enhance their operations and effectiveness.

The event was attended by the Rector of the Romanian-American University, Dr. Costel Negricea; Vice-Rector for Human Resources Strategy, Administration and the Relationship with the Economic-Social Environment, Dr. Andrei Anghelina, Vasile Goldiș University of the West, from Arad, together with the General Secretary of the University, Sabău Flavius Valentin; Rector of the University of European Studies from Moldova, Dr. Iurie Nicolae Sedlețchi, together with the Vice-Rector Nicolae Sedlețchi; the Vice-Rector for Academic Strategy and Study Programs, Dr. Alexandru Căuia, from the International Free University of Moldova; and Dr. George Daniel Papari, Rector of the Andrei Șaguna University. Also present are some members of the management team of Danubius University - Dr. Andy Pușca, President of the Administrative Board; Dr. Steve O. Michael, Rector & CEO; Dr. Florian Nuță, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research and Innovation; Dr. Alina Răileanu, Vice-Rector for the Administration and Corporate Partnership; Dr. Emanuel Marinescu, Director of the Department of International Relations; Ana-Iuliana Mihai, Chief of Staff; Dr. Alina Cheșcă; and Oana Pocovnicu, Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Crafting a Progressive Higher Education Law: Observations and
Commentaries on World Class Higher Education Systems

Presented at the

DC News Round Table on
Invatamantul superior din Romania in fata unor noi provocari
(Romanian Higher Education – Facing New challenges)

By

Steve O. Michael, PhD
Professor of Higher Education Management
Rector & CEO, Danubius University, Galati

May 19, 2023

Read the entire article here.