In the special framework of the Baroque Hall of the Timișoara Art Museum, on June 19, 2020, the press conference dedicated to the signing ceremony of the Partnership Agreement regarding the establishment of the Timișoara University Alliance (ATU), the first cooperation and consolidation structure of the center, was held university and the scientific research, development and innovation platform in Timișoara. It aims to contribute in a relevant way, through a joint strategy of the four public universities in our city, to Timișoara becoming a point of reference for Central and Eastern Europe.

            The rectors of the four signatory universities participated in the press conference: Prof. Univ. Dr. Octavian CREȚU, rector of the "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, associate professor dr. Florin DRĂGAN, rector of the Politehnica University of Timișoara, prof. dr. Marilen Gabriel PIRTEA, rector of the West University of Timișoara, and prof. Dr. Cosmin Alin POPESCU, rector of the "King Mihai I of Romania" University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat. 

The public positions expressed by the participants, in the preamble to the signing ceremony of the Partnership Agreement regarding the establishment of the Timișoara University Alliance (ATU), emphasized the Timișoara university solidarity, a value recognized by the four member universities of the ATU, dedicated to the innovative effort to bring to fruition the results of scientific knowledge , of research, artistic creation and performance, for the desired public of the development of our city.

The rector of the "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, prof. Dr.

Octavian CREȚU: "We are happy for the achievement of the union of the Timisoara academic community in a common desire, the desire expressed for some time, that independent universities can collaborate intelligently and efficiently. Although from different fields, the four signatory universities found common points and objectives, which can be realized in research projects and the complementary use of some facilities of each university (libraries, biobase, halls and sports fields). The impact on collaboration between students, whether at bachelor's, master's or doctoral level, and also between student organizations, in the scientific, sports, social or artistic fields, is not to be neglected either. It is essential for our future that our associated universities better respond to international accreditation requirements and that we be more open to local and county authorities, to whom we offer know-how for the intelligent development of our city and region".

            Rector of the Timișoara Politehnica University, associate professor Dr. Florin DRĂGAN: "Today, here, it is not about one rector or another, about a personal approach or someone's image. If we make the mistake of coming up with this finite view, the game will turn into a finite one, one of us will win more or less, the spectators will cheer but after a short period there will be silence. An infinite game now involves building an interconnection hub with companies where the Polytechnic can provide a solid platform based on engineering, where we can build powerful research centers based on robotics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing or the internet of things, where we can innovate in the didactic act together or we can access the important development funds in the area of ​​medicine or agriculture".

            The rector of UVT, prof. univ. dr. Marilen Gabriel Pirtea: "I am particularly honored and feel completely committed to this extremely innovative public endeavor, that of bringing together the forces of the four Timisoara public universities in a concentration of values ​​of the Timisoara university center. From today, all of us, together, almost 5000 teachers, researchers and university experts, together with 35 thousand students, are more aware of the public mission we have, that of making the best development options of Timisoara achievable , together with the administration and the business environment, in a relationship established throughout the European space, in which the university environment plays a central role. From today, all of us are more ambitious, more generous towards our community and more responsible towards future generations". 

            Rector of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat "King Mihai I of Romania", prof. Dr. Cosmin Alin POPESCU: "Today's event marks the first time, by signing this act of solidarity and collaboration between the four public universities in Timișoara, a symbol of unity and altruism dedicated to the city on the Bega, Timiș County and the entire region. Clearly, this project is supported by the entire academic community of the "King Mihai I of Romania" University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat in Timișoara, through its students and teachers and equally through its alumni. Our message is addressed with maturity and professionalism to the employers present on the labor market in our city and county, concretely we support research, innovation - technological transfer and university extension with direct implications in the sustainable development of the local and regional economy. We believe in this project, we are active partners in such efforts for the entire existing socio-economic environment and through the message we send, we demonstrate that WE CARE!".

Organizationally, the alliance has very clearly structured its way of functioning and leadership. Thus, the management of the alliance is ensured by the General Assembly and the Board of Directors, and the General Assembly is made up of rectors, presidents of senates, vice-rectors, CSUD directors and general administrative directors of the four member universities, to which are added the student representatives in the board of directors of universities. The Board of Directors is made up of the rectors of the four member universities and ensures the executive management of the alliance. The General Assembly meets every six months, at the convocation of the acting president of the alliance, and guests can also participate in this meeting, and the Board of Directors meets monthly, at the convocation of the acting president of the alliance, and guests can also participate in this meeting.

As a way of working, the Decisions of the Board of Directors are adopted by consensus, and the President of the Board of Directors also holds the position of president of the alliance. The ATU agreement stipulates that the position of president is exercised by rotation, by each of the members of the Board of Directors, for the duration of one calendar year, in the order in which the member universities are listed in the founding document, and the secretariat of the alliance is provided by the university that holds the presidency the alliance.

ATU's projects and strategies will materialize by assuming an annual agenda of proposals, debates and collaborations, in which social actors representative of the local community will be involved, on topics of strategic interest for the community, agreed through the sessions of the integrated working groups that will be constituted.