The West University of Timișoara received the visit of Prof. Assoc. Sever Avram, General Coordinator CIO SUERD Jean BART/ Representation of the World Center for Excellence of Destinations - CED, c/o the Danube-Black Sea Center "HENRI NEGRESCO" in support of the OMD National Alliance.

During the meeting, the guest was welcomed by the vice-rector of UVT, conf. univ. dr. Mădălin Bunoiu, to whom it was handed over Honorary Diploma of Excellence in recognition of the role of the Western University of Timișoara, the central catalyst of the academic system, of the transformation of education in the historical Banat, of initiatives, actions and innovation in the most diverse fields. The awarding of the distinction emphasizes the exceptional contribution of UVT to the successful preparation of the Timișoara metropolitan area as a future Cultural and Tourist Hospitality Destination, gradually recognized internationally.

The anniversary distinction is awarded in consultation with the two entities:

• Honorary International Chair in support of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region "Jean BART" (CIO-SUERD), the first platform for the internationalization of education in Romania, applying the concept of Lifelong Learning, founded in 2012 by the EUROLINK Foundation – Casa Europei, Affiliate Member EUNET – European Network for Education and Training with the kind support and in partnership with the Romanian Academy and
• Representation of the Danube Basin - Black Sea Region of the World Center for Excellence of Destinations - CED.travel (Montreal, UNWTO Affiliate Member), network in the spirit of promoting the standards, methodology and criteria of the SMED Lab Certification Program.

As it was emphasized in the dialogue that took place together with the conferment of the Honorary Title and Diploma of Excellence for UVT, the adoption of the slogan "At UVT, Culture is Capital!" managed to systematically and meticulously guide the many conferences, debates, exhibitions, other research, development, innovation and training activities of Lifelong Learning type, assiduously promoted and recommended both by UNESCO and by the EU Council and the European Commission, with predilection in recent years. The results did not take long to appear, as a successful record of UVT's involvement in the Timișoara 2023 – European Capital of Culture program was expected, a fact that justified the granting of this Title and the Honorary Diploma of Excellence.