The main objectives of the higher education system are to generate knowledge, to produce innovative ideas, solutions for Romania's social and economic problems (through the research system), to form quality human resources (through education and training programs) to implement these solutions in the labor market, in society and in the economy, in order to create a better quality of life for all Romanians.

Within these processes, the role of professionals, professional elites is essential because they generate ideas and solutions and thus make a difference in global competition, in society and in the economy based on knowledge and innovation. That's why, while maintaining its inclusive and fair character, higher education is predominantly based on merit and performance (assessed based on individual and collective results).

As a field of national importance well funded by public money, the field of research and tertiary education must benefit from access to funding resources distributed on the basis of performance and justify the use of resources through public reporting and external, impartial evaluation of the results obtained.

In order to achieve the above wishes, we, the representatives of the University Consortium (Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iași, "Babeș-Bolyai" University in Cluj-Napoca, University of Bucharest and West University in Timișoara ), we propose to the Government of Romania the implementation of the following measures, specific to research and higher education:

1. Funding of scientific research, university creation and sports performance in universities

• The implementation of a new program and a distinct line of funding of scientific research, university creation and sports performance dedicated to universities with real performances in the field of research at national and international level, measurable through impact indicators used at international level as well.
• Funding from the funds allocated to the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization of research projects and infrastructure in universities, through a mechanism similar to the "Core" program.
  

2. Fair representation, proportional to the number of students and teaching staff, of all universities, types of universities (comprehensive, medical, art, etc.) and all fields of major studies (social, humanities, vocational fields, etc.) in all consultative and decision-making structures in the fields of higher education and research.

• Representation in the boards and management offices of CNFIS, CCCDI, CEMU, CNSPIS, CNBU, CNECSDTI, CNCS, etc. to be provided with distinct places and respecting the principle of proportionality of representation, by types of universities and by fields.
• The selection processes of the managements of the previously mentioned institutions must be based on the principle of meritocracy and based on their managerial programs, and not on the membership (only) of certain fields of study, types of universities or interest groups.
• Proportional representation of universities in the National Council of Rectors with 1 representative (1 vote) per 3-5 thousand enrolled students and the consequent establishment of a differentiated fee.

3. Improving the system of accreditation of universities and study programs and quality assessment in research and higher education.

• The alignment of the Romanian educational system with the international system of classification of the fields of study ISCED.
• Urgent evaluation of doctoral studies (fields, schools, IOSUD).
• Analysis and improvement of the regulations regarding the selection of members and the operation of ARACIS (eg: OM 5751/2015) to ensure a good representation of specialists and members of academic communities, based on the principle of meritocracy and representation, as well as to avoid dysfunctions, bureaucratic formalism and of the lack of professionalism and equidistance in the evaluation process.

4. "Redrawing" the map of Romanian higher education, through a classification of universities according to the assumed mission and their international scope.

• Elaboration of a methodology for classifying universities and ranking study programs following a broad debate with all interested actors.
• Promoting internationalization, the global dimension of Romanian higher education, through the distinct and consistent financial support of universities with real international relevance (members of university alliances recognized by the European Commission, present in the international charts, which have credible assumed projects to become "world-class universities"). This financial support must also be accompanied by a firm policy of eliminating the regulations that prevent the integration of Romanian universities into European cooperation educational programs. Resumption of the development of the university metaranking by the Ministry of Education and additional support, especially from a financial point of view, of the best performing universities in Romania to advance in the international rankings.
• Stimulation (including financial) of the creation of metropolitan universities for a more efficient use of resources and an increase in performance. Including the encouragement of consortia jointly developed by universities with external partners (private companies, research institutes).

5. Revision of the university financing system

• Revision of the system of indicators and coefficients of financing per student of study programs based on cost analysis carried out by independent experts and benchmarking with financing systems from other European countries.
• The launch of specific funding projects on strategic study programs for the cultural and socio-economic interests of Romania, but for which there is no adequate demand and funding (eg in the field of sciences, classical languages, etc.) and which cannot function efficiently and sustainably through core funding. The recent project to finance the university studies of the didactic master's is a good model as a starting point.
• Increasing the cost coefficients for programs with double specialization, where the ARACIS standards require an increased volume of didactic activities and the transition from the 2021-2022 academic year to study programs with a duration of 4 years for them, based on an analysis made by reporting to similar programs from countries of the European Union.
• Removing the universities' own revenues from the calculation of the national public deficit, thus allowing the universities to make the necessary investments to maintain competitiveness.

6. Promoting merit and performance, but also inclusion and equity among students, through a coherent support system consisting of:

• performance scholarships, merit scholarships and social scholarships;
• public financing of studies;
• publicly guaranteed loans granted to young people for studies;
• quality accommodation in student halls of residence/supported housing;
• access to meals prepared in university canteens;
• appropriate academic and career counseling.

7. Creating a mechanism for monitoring the professional career of graduates and achieving the interoperability of all electronic platforms for the management of pupils, students and graduates (SIIIR, REI, ANS, RMUR, REVISAL, etc.) and including the real employability rate among the performance indicators.

8. Strengthening university autonomy, simultaneously with the promotion of academic democracy and the culture of participation, through a set of principles and rules that will promote, from the departmental level up to the top of the university, freedom of thought and expression, democratic voting and the avoidance of abuses , of nepotism and other undemocratic practices.

The reforms proposed by us must be implemented not in favor of someone or to the disadvantage of someone else, but starting from principles and from the national collective interest. Thus, they will be accepted and supported by the academic community and society, regardless of political regimes and governing parties or coalitions. That is why we are proposing new, additional funding initiatives and lines while maintaining the current ones, rather than abolishing some current structures and programs. For example, the promotion of research and the international dimension in the university environment does not exclude the maintenance of universities of local or regional importance with a mission mainly focused on education and with mixed funding, national as well as local.

On the other hand, we reiterate the principle of transparency and predictability and believe that no change to the legislation should be adopted and implemented without public consultation as, unfortunately, has been frequently done in recent years with education legislation.

In order for these measures and others specific to education and research, to be agreed and implemented at national level without being subsequently questioned and modified, we propose to draw up, under the patronage of the President of Romania, a document on the reform of education and research in Romania, a document to be agreed and signed by all parliamentary political parties by the end of 2021.

Sign:

Univ. Prof. Dr. Marilen Gabriel PIRTEA

Rector

West University of Timişoara

Acting President of the University Consortium

Univ. Prof. Dr. Marian TEACHES

Rector

The University of Bucharest

Univ. Prof. Dr. Daniel DAVID

Rector

"Babeș Bolyai" University from Cluj Napoca

Univ. Prof. Dr. Tudorel TOADER

Rector of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iași

Univ. Prof. Dr. Nicolae ISTUDOR

Rector

The academy of economic studies in Bucharest