Reference points in scientific research

The University of Bucharest has proved itself a highly credible candidate for research grants. This status, which has been achieved over time, obviously influences the orientation of teaching at undergraduate and especially at postgraduate level. Many capable young specialists receive their training in research here. Thanks to the University’s international relations, they are able to participate in scholarly meetings and in some cases earn recognition even before fully embarking on their professional careers.

We could quote a letter from Professor Peter L. Biermann of the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomy, Bonn: “We have had other students from Bucharest… Alina Donea was invited due to her excellent performance with my group while still a student, twice to study meetings in the United States, and then to Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and again twice to Germany.’

Scientific research is no longer funded on the basis of structures (laboratories, departments and research teams). Funding goes only to projects; that means that it is allocated on the basis of precise engagements, which contain interesting ideas and are supported by reasonable budget estimates. In this context, the role of university research centres has become even more important, as they concentrate on the efforts on narrow directions, closer to international levels of performance. Students interested in research can join teams carrying out such activity.

At the beginning of the year 2000, the University of Bucharest was handling 95 World Bank grants, to a total value of 7,866,663 USD. 67 of these were coordinated by the National Council of University Scientific Research, comprising 37 major research projects, 20 master’s degree and doctoral projects, and 10 research base projects with multiple users. The remaining 28 were coordinated by the National Council for Higher Education Finance, and consisted of 24 university projects, 2 college projects, and 2 continuing education projects.

To these may be added 81 annual projects approved for 2000, including 5 for young researchers. The total value of these annual projects was 3,173,364,000 lei.

For the year 2000, the University obtained from the National Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation grants for 55 themes, to a total value of 1,289,000,000 lei.

The current trend in Romania is towards the focusing of research and the creation of effective teams, able to perform at international standards. It is harder and harder to make an impact unless one obtains external funding, has experience of resource and programme management, and is part of a dynamic group with a strong team work cult