The University of Bucharest was a centerpiece in the major events in the recent history of Romanians and has actively contributed, through its rectors, deans, professors and students, to the sped up process of the state's modernization, Education Minister Ligia Deca said on Tuesday at the event organized at the National Opera House in Bucharest on the 160th anniversary of the higher education institution.
"It is an honor and also a privilege for me to be in the midst of the academic community of the University of Bucharest to celebrate 160 years since the establishment of a fundamental educational institution ever since the foundation of the modern Romanian state. I cannot help noticing the double significance of the events organized today to also celebrate 330 years since the first form of higher education on the territory of Wallachia - a precursor of modern-day Romania. The two milestones we celebrate today are intrinsically complementary in the history of Romanian education. The University of Bucharest was a centerpiece in the major events in the recent history of Romanians. Over time, the academic corps has been in the vanguard of Romanian research. Through its rectors, deans, and students, the university has actively contributed to the fast-paced process of modernization of the Romanian state," Deca said.
She went on to emphasize the important role of the university community in supporting the massive protests in the early 1990s: "The University of Bucharest, through most of the university community, was a supporter of the massive protests that broke out at the beginning of 1990, becoming an emblematic space of participation and active citizenship in the post-communist period. The crowd gathered to protest against the exponents of the counter-revolution was inflamed by the speeches delivered from one of the University's balconies. Therefore, the University of Bucharest is a space where the freedom of expression has taken precedence, along with fundamental values such as institutional autonomy and academic freedom. It is my firm opinion that now, more than ever, the University of Bucharest must intensify its efforts to participate in the current debates in society and to support the intellectual development of the 21st century elites."
The education minister added that she wants this anniversary moment to be not only one of reflection on past achievements, but also "an opportunity to confidently look to the future."
University of Bucharest Rector Marian Preda highlighted the institution's role as a significant player in the reform of education.
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