On May 26–27, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest and the UNESCO Chair in “Engineering for Society,” in partnership with the Romanian National Commission for UNESCO, organized “UNESCO Days at the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest.”

The event, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Romania’s membership in UNESCO, focused on education in the era of digitalization and artificial intelligence. This theme reflects both UNESCO’s global agenda on transforming education and the mission of the UNESCO Chair “Engineering for Society” to promote education, research, and innovation focused on societal needs, sustainability, and long-term social impact.

The opening of the event was attended by Mr. Mihai DIMIAN, Minister of Education and Research; Mr. Sorin COSTREIE, Presidential Advisor for Education and Research; Ms. Simona Mirela MICULESCU, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate of Romania to UNESCO; Ms. Dumitrița GLIGA, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate for Relations with UNESCO, Ms. Luciana ANTOCI, State Counselor, Government of Romania, Mr. Mihnea COSTOIU, Rector of the National University of Science and Technology - Politechnics of Bucharest, Ms. Ligia DECA, General- Secretary of the Romanian National Commission for UNESCO, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, university faculty members from Romania and other countries, representatives of UNESCO Chairs and the business community, as well as students and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

We invite you to watch the presentations from the opening panel by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/live/5Ty3WPUlER8?is=9Y4-Cub4CfDwEvaw

The second part of the meeting at the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest was opened by Ms. Simona Mirela MICULESCU, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Romania to UNESCO, who delivered a lecture titled “Romania on Its 70 Years of Membership in UNESCO anniversary,” and by the Academician Mircea DUMITRU who spoke on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Furthermore, during the “UNESCO Days at the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest,” discussions focused on issues related to education in the digital age, artificial intelligence in STEM education, and the impact of digitalization on occupations in the aviation sector: the evolution of job roles and changing skill requirements. The interactive exhibition of digital educational solutions and the cultural event “Roots,” a performance by the “I.L. Caragiale” National University of Theater and Cinematography dedicated to UNESCO’s celebration of Margareta Niculescu, rounded out the program for the first day. 

On may 27, the day began with a meeting of the UNESCO Chairs in Romania, during which discussions took place on the role of UNESCO Chairs in the digital transformation of education, the changing role of teachers in digital learning environments supported by artificial intelligence (AI), and best practices for teaching and learning with AI.

Ms. Jing Fang, representative of the UNESCO Regional Office in Venice, concluded her remarks with the following message: “The future of education will not be shaped solely by technology. It will be built through collaboration, ethics, creativity, and shared responsibility. UNESCO Chairs are becoming key catalysts for this transformation—turning ideas into action and knowledge into impact.”

The UNESCO Days at the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest also served as a framework for intergenerational dialogue, facilitating direct interaction between professionals in the field and students through workshops dedicated to the applications of information and communication technology in higher education, as well as the implications of digitalization on careers in cutting-edge fields.

We invite you to discover the impressions, reflections, and perspectives of the young participants in these workshops:

“There are moments when you walk into a room without knowing exactly what to expect and walk out with your mind slightly stirred—not disturbed, but awakened. The workshop on artificial intelligence, organized as part of the International Conference “Education in the Age of Digitalization” was one of those moments for me. I joined this experience alongside some of my fellow CNR UNESCO interns and two international students enrolled at Polytechnics university, each of us coming from different backgrounds and with different frames of reference. And it was precisely in this difference, I believe, that the essence of the entire experience lay. The workshop was moderated by Adina Munteanu, a university lecturer and, at the same time, a master’s student herself. It struck me as a detail not to be overlooked : someone who teaches and, at the same time, still has more to learn. This aspect, I believe, created a relaxed, friendly atmosphere—a “safe space” for everyone present.” (Alexandra Mătrescu, SNSPA student). The full text is available here.

“Participating in the workshop during UNESCO Days was an interesting opportunity to discover different perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence. I was particularly struck by the emphasis placed on the importance of a more conscious and responsible use of AI in the long term. I believe that such initiatives are very useful for students in the current context.” (Alesia Sava, SNSPA student).