The Minister of Education, Daniel David, sent important messages for students, teachers and parents across the country, and this because he was present at Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB), which recently organized the launch of the volume "Episodes and Reverberations of the Middle Ages", a work dedicated to academician Ioan-Aurel Pop, president of the Romanian Academy and former rector of UBB, on the occasion of his seventieth birthday.
Minister of Education spoke at the event that took place in a festive and emotional setting, bringing together members of the academic community, students, professors and special guests, in an atmosphere of respect and admiration. Daniel David, was the special guest of the evening and opened the official speech of the event.
"In 2016, I joined the rector's team, as vice-rector for research, and during that time I met a rector with whom I could build aspects of excellence and meritocracy, something very important to me. Ioan-Aurel Pop is a realistic, reasonable and balanced man, and when it came to a decision related to excellence, meritocracy, we always found ourselves on the same side of the barricade.
I am glad that we met in so many different contexts, that we collaborated and continue to collaborate well for UBB, for the academic environment and now, of course, in the interest of the country. declared Daniel David.
After a brief introduction by Associate Professor Dr. Adinel Dinca, Minister David addressed the subject of his foreign collaboration with Academician Pop. He highlighted their relationship based on excellence and meritocracy, underlining the importance of these values in the Romanian academic environment.
The Minister of Education recalled the various competitions they were in, mentioning that, despite the rivalries, they always remained on the same side of the barricade in supporting and promoting academic values.
Prof. David detailed his initial meetings with Ioan-Aurel Pop, starting in 2011, in the context of the Romanian Academy. He recounted how, during these interactions, he discovered a realistic and reasonable man, capable of maintaining a constructive dialogue even in tense situations.
The minister also mentioned the competitions for the position of UBB rector in 2012 and 2020, where he and Pop were opposing candidates, emphasizing mutual respect and the ability to collaborate effectively for the benefit of the university and the country.
The interim rector of UBB, prof. dr. Adrian Petrusel, the host of the event, praised the forty-year collaboration with academician Pop. He expressed the university's gratitude for Pop's significant contributions, mentioning a recent interview in which he expressed his gratitude to the country and the people.
Rector Petrusel announced the awarding of the Babeș-Bolyai University Honorary Diploma in recognition of Ioan-Aurel Pop's merits, highlighting his positive impact on the institution and the academic environment.
The award ceremony also included the awarding of the UBB Medal, presented by Minister Daniel David and the President of the UBB Senate, Prof. Dr. Florin Streteanu. These distinctions reflect the broad recognition of Ioan-Aurel Pop's achievements and contributions in the field of medieval history and in the academic development of Babeș-Bolyai University.
The launch of the volume and the award ceremony marked an important moment not only in the academician's life, but also in the history of UBB, consolidating the close ties between the university, the Romanian Academy and the Ministry of Education and Research.
This launch underlines the importance of collaboration between academic and governmental institutions in promoting excellence and educational values, contributing to the continuous development of the Romanian university environment.
