SDG 17: Partnerships For The Goals

SDG 17: Partnerships For The Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

 

1. Collaboration with government

Our University is involved in the development of national government SDG policy by supporting the decision making process with in-depth studies and research which target identifying problems and challenges, developing policies and strategies, modelling likely futures with and without interventions, monitoring and reporting on interventions, by initiating conferences with national and international participation of specialists and representatives of NGOs and business environment for discussing actual topics, or by drawing attention towards sensitive topics in media.  

1.1 Actions towards designing policies

Developing projects in collaboration with ministries: projects under implementation and projects proposals.

Intensification of scientific and research activities in ASE, with topics aimed at sustainable development, social responsibility and combating the effects generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The members of the ASE community addressed numerous themes aimed at sustainable development, social responsibility and combating the effects generated by the COVID-19 pandemic in articles published in journals or presented in scientific conferences, books published in national and international publishing houses, as well as in research. (Details here, p.179)

ASE took several public positions by formulating views on a number of issues of major importance to the world economy, such as: global warming; circular economy; digitization; training young people in the context of the future dominated by artificial intelligence, etc. Numerous members of the ASE university community have contributed to ASE’s public positioning through a series of interventions on issues of major importance to the world economy. (Details here, p.179)

The Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics participated in the Romanian Sustainability Code – Partnership for a transparent reporting event, organized by the Department for Sustainable Development, Government of Romania 

ASE launched the paper “The Romanian economic model in the EU – HORIZON 2040“, developed in collaboration with AGER, AFER, the “Costin C. Kirițescu” National Institute of Economic Research of the Romanian Academy, the “Gheorghe Ionescu Şișești” Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, the Academic Management Society of Romania, the Association of Romanian Employers’ Confederations, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania, the National Alliance of Student Organizations from Romania. The project is addressed to representatives of the economic-social business environment, universities, the Romanian Parliament and the Presidency. The work contains research results, ideas, reflections, practical experiences synthesized from the academic, university and research environment, from the business and financial-banking environment, from civil society, young entrepreneurs and students. 

ASE professors involved in the design and creation of strategic documents related to sustainable development. Assoc. Prof. Andreea paul was an expert in the project “Development of the strategic and institutional framework for the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Romania 2030”. The project was coordinated by the Department for Sustainable Development (DSD). Andrea Paul’s responsibility consisted in documenting and developing the first drafts of the Action Plan of the National Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Romania 2030, respectively the organization of working groups with economic themes during 2021. The Action Plan was approved by the Government of Romania and is being implemented under the coordination of the DSD.

The research project “Barometer of the Business Environment in Romania 2021” lays the foundations of a tradition centered on the annual presentation of the state of the Romanian business environment, by creating the business barometer index. The results of this assessment tool are useful for potential investors and government institutions responsible for developing and monitoring economic policies and supporting the business environment. The barometer analyzes the responses of a representative sample of companies in Romania regarding the level of confidence in the business environment analyzed along seven pillars: turnover and market, profitability, investments, workforce and company size, costs and access to financing, the interaction with the authorities from the perspective of the company and the evolution of the national and global economy. (Details here, p.59) 

ASE launched the second edition of the study “Report on Foreign Direct Investments in Romania“. The study carried out in partnership by ASE and the Council of Foreign Investors covers issues related to foreign investment at the global, regional and local level, and a case study on the multiplier effects of foreign investment in energy, telecommunications and automotive. The objective of the study is to highlight the fact that investments represent the basis of a solid, resilient and diversified economy, through which Romania can prosper, foreign direct investments (FDI) representing an important source of financing the economy and the transfer of know-how. 

ASE signed the Collaboration Protocol with the Department for Emergency Situations, the university’s strategic partner, represented by Dr. Raed Arafat, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is a continuation of the cooperation between the two institutions, which began in within the “Hope Academy – Volunteering for Life” Project. (Details here, p.103)

 

1.2 Initiating dialogue with Government (national, regional, local) and NGOs

1.2.1 ASE as initiator of conferences, workshops, debates

Conferences gathering the representatives of the public and private environment, initiated and coordinated by ASE professors (Assoc. Prof. Andreea Paul):

Workshop “The Impact of Digitalization on SMEs: Challenges for Public Governance and Economic Development”, organized by the Korea Productivity Center (KPC), the Research Center for Productivity Studies in ASE and the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism. The interim report under discussion at this event is the result of cooperation between ASE researchers and researchers from Yonsei University, Ajou University and KPC, South Korea.

“Expovet: National Debate Forum” brought together specialists from Romania and Greece, from ASE, UBB, UAIC, UVT, Ovidius University, from the business environment in debates aimed at connecting the skills of international economic relations graduates to the demands of the global market of work. 

The conference “Good Governance and Institutional Resilience” was organized by ASE within the “Teaching Institutional Resilience and Prompt Reaction to Crisis: Good Governance Experiences in Europe” project. Dr. Raed Arafat, Secretary of State, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Elena Tudose, Secretary of State, Government of Romania, Georgian Ion Ghervasie, communications director, Romanian Senate, Prof. Univ. Dr. José Manuel Ruano and Dr. Aída Díaz-Tendero from the Complutense University in Spain, conf.univ.dr. Taurimas Valys from Vilnius University, Lithuania and Assoc. Dr. Ivana Načinović Braje, FEB Zagreb. 

The Institute of Advanced Research of ASE organized the workshop “Development of research skills by connecting researchers to the needs of society“, with the aim of bringing together researchers from the academic environment and practitioners in order to identify valuable practices in scientific research and connect them to the needs society. During the workshop, both ASE specialists and guests from public or private organizations took part. The workshop was dedicated both to teaching staff, doctoral and master’s students, as well as to practitioners, in order to stimulate interest and especially to encourage participation in excellence research in a collaborative manner. 

The international conference “Future of Europe” focused on topics related to the new challenges of European Union governance, a new digital world of international business, the approach to corporate social responsibility and risk management in Europe, finance and banking in the European Union, the survival of the European Union, the family economy – a European perspective, economic aspects of the medical crisis Covid 19. 

The International Tourism Conference “Contemporary Approaches and Challenges of Tourism Sustainability” – CACTUS 2021 focused on a wide range of topics related to tourism, such as: Economics and Management; Post-pandemic Tourism and Hospitality; Crisis Management and Resilience; Innovation and Digitalization in tourism; Quality management in tourism; Social responsibility in tourism; Challenges for the development of sustainable tourism; Smart tourism and smart destinations etc. CACTUS 2021 was an excellent opportunity for practitioners and consultants from around the world who are involved in the study, innovation and development of tourism and hospitality issues to come together and exchange ideas. 

The event “Developing cross cultural skills in a digital transformation era in universities and companies: Japan/USA/Romania”, with speakers as His Excellency Hans Klemm, Commissioner, JapanU.S. Educational Commission, Mrs. Mari Kano Klemm Managing Director, Center for International Exchange (CIE), Center for General Education, Showa Women’s University. The central theme of the debate was how the transformations of the digital age have a significant impact on leadership and areas such as education, industry or the government sector. Examples of good practices were provided in these areas, but also regarding the management of managerial conflicts, interculturality in the post-COVID-19 period, the impact of culture on a globalized world, as well as examples of opportunities and threats of the pandemic on interculturality. 

The international conference “Competitiveness of Agro-food and Environmental Economy – CAFEE 2021″ brought together experts, decision-makers and professionals in agribusiness and was dedicated to the analysis and evaluation of developments and challenges in agri-food and environmental policies. During the discussions, topics about food safety and consumer protection, the management of agricultural holdings, the economy and management of natural resources, agricultural management and marketing, the performance of agri-food systems, etc. were addressed. 

 

1.2.2 ASE as participant in conferences, workshops, debates

Participation in the European Financial Services Conference “Challenges of the new decade in the financial services sector”. During the conference, topics related to digitization, innovation in financial services, the practical application of the latest legislative innovations were debated. In his intervention, university professor Dr. Nicolae Istudor referred to the role of ASE in the current world development context.  

Participation in the conference “Building the Post-Pandemic World: The path to a more sustainable, safe and resilient society”. The rector of ASE presented a paper in the Agriculture panel, with the theme “The place and role of agriculture in achieving the objectives of sustainable development – Horizon 2030”. The work of the conference focused on discussions and exchange of experience for building post-pandemic life – the path to a more sustainable and resilient society. Strategic decision-makers of the state, members of the national and European legislative body, renowned experts and specialists, representatives of NGOs, journalists and stakeholders interested in the dynamics of the future and how the world of tomorrow will manage to find solutions to protect and sustainable and sustainable development. 

Participation in the International Management Conference “Managing People and Organizations in a Global Crisis”. During the debates, there were discussions on the latest issues and challenges of business in the field of management at the national and international level. The conference was attended by researchers, practitioners from universities and industries who analyzed the main issues facing management, in order to identify innovative management tools, methods and solutions that ensure the sustainable development of organizations in the competitive environment. 

Participation in the debate “Scientific research in the financial field. Challenges and solutions” organized by the Institute of Financial Studies and DC Media Group. The topics discussed focused on research topics relevant to the financial field, funding research in the financial field; financial market trends during the pandemic; scientific research in the financial field – a means of promoting financial education; the use of technologies in scientific research in the financial field. The event was attended by representatives of the academic environment, public authorities and the business environment who analyzed the current situation of scientific research with applicability in the financial field. 

Participation in the international conference organized by EGPA – The European Group for Public Administration – under the title “Resilience and Agility of Public Institutions in Times of Crisis“. The European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) is the main representative organization in the field of administrative sciences on the European continent and a regional group of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), ASE Bucharest being a member of this prestigious association.

Participation in the conference “The impact of Digitalisation on SMSs: Challenges for Public Governance and Economic Development“, a project to be implemented in cooperation with the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and the Korea Productivity Center (KPC). The partnership with the two prestigious institutions from South Korea represents a continuation of the cooperation activities carried out in the period 2018 – 2020 and materialized within the joint project between Romania and South Korea, which sought the establishment of the Productivity Center within the ASE. 

Participation in the International Conference “Risk in the Contemporary Economy“, organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the University “Dunărea de Jos” in Galati in partnership with AFER. 

Participation in the conference “Social responsibility of Romanian universities“. Benefiting from the participation of the Minister of Education, the representatives of the Romanian Academy, the Senate, the business environment, the event focused on the involvement of universities in social life, the relationship with the social and business environment, excellence in education as the main concrete proof of effective involvement in social dynamics, the rise Romanian universities in the international rankings, the financing of the university system, the digitization of higher education, the supply of universities versus the demand of the business environment. 

Participation in the Global Money Week 2021 event, in a debate entitled “Academic Fin HUB – Education and profession, partnership for the future!“. Along with the academic environment, there were representatives of UNSAR – the National Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies of Romania, BVB – Bucharest Stock Exchange and APAPR – the Association for Privately Administered Pensions from Romania, thus highlighting the need for a real partnership between universities and employers. 

Participation in Food Intel Forum 2021, the most important international event in Romania in agribusiness, food production, beverage production, retail and HoReCa. The debates focused on ways to accelerate the commercialization and introduction of the most advanced agro-food technologies; identification of all modern sources of financing, diversified financial products and policies to stimulate financing in agriculture; improving the role of guarantee funds for agriculture and SMEs, from Romania and the EU; developing dialogue with business circles in agriculture, food and beverage production, retail and HORECA from the European Union, but also from other countries, to connect to international trends and developments. Businessmen, representatives of central and local administrations, bankers and insurers, representatives from investment funds, financiers, owners, directors, top management participated. 

 

2. International collaboration

ASE organized or was present in several international events meant on improving research or opening new paths for research and collaboration on SDGs as well as adapting the internal administrative procedures to the principles of sustainability. Some of them are mentioned below:

The project “Multi-Disciplinary Innovation for Social Change (SHIINE)” aims to establish a Pan European Public Sector Innovation (ePSI) lab to demonstrate, through the adoption of Multi-Disciplinary Innovation (MDI) methods, how we can respond to social problems. Strong cooperation between ASE; Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK; Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands; University of Valencia, Spain is developed for achieving the aims of the project. 

The conference “The Next Next Generation of Online Higher Education” organized by Berkley Global and the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM Paris), having as its theme the dynamics of the online learning process and new challenges of large-scale online education. The debate was attended by representatives from three elite universities: Berkeley Global, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) Paris and the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest.The discussions focused on current topics related to new perspectives on online pedagogy centered around students, ways of student involvement in the dynamics of online courses, types of collaboration between higher education institutions, new organizational structures for higher education institutions to optimize efficiency and existing resources 

The BASIQ international conference organized by ASE, together with the Economics Department of the University of Foggia, Italy, brought together participants from over 13 countries, involving discussions on sustainable development. 

International Conference on Economics and Social Sciences – ICESS with the topic “Resilience and Economic Intelligence Through Digitalization and Big Data Analytics” brought together representatives from Nottingham University in Great Britain. The “New Tech in the financial markets” workshop was held in collaboration with the business environment. 

Participation in the first event organized by the UNICA network – Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe, since ASE became a member: the UNICA Rectors Seminar event on the topic “Education and interdisciplinary and intersectoral scientific research in modern universities“, which enjoyed the participation of representatives of the 54 universities from the 37 European member capitals of the Association. 

Participation in two working groups within the European UNICA network: “UNICA & The City” and “UNICA Green & SDGs”. 

The International Conference for Business Excellence with the theme “Digital economy and the creation of new values” brought together representatives from Coventry University in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the University of Porto School of Engineering, the National University of Singapore. 

EUA Annual Conference 2021 on the topic “Universities 2030: From vision to reality“. The debates aimed at identifying solutions for the materialization of the EUA vision set out in the document “Universities without walls – A vision for 2030” according to which European universities will be structured in the form of open learning communities engaged in the creation of a sustainable global society, defined as autonomous entities and responsible who strive for continuous improvement. 

The international conference “Synergies in Communications” organized by ASE, in collaboration with Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium, University of Hyogo, Japan, University of Zaragoza, Spain, Quest Romania, PROSPER-ASE Language Center and the Romanian Society of Studies of English and American Studies (RSEAS). 

 The Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems within ASE, is part of a regional network dedicated to SDGs. The Faculty is a member of the CEEPUS (Central European Network for Sustainable and Innovative Economy) project, which offers the possibility for students and professors to carry out mobility at partner universities in the region. 

ASE is part of the research project “MIMY” (“Towards a better understanding of the integration process of young migrants“), launched in 2020 in Luxembourg. The project aims to improve the situation of young migrants in Europe. The project’s partners from Romania, the Novapolis Association and the MEPEI Association, participated in the conference held within the project, together with representatives of the institutions with a decisive role in the management and implementation of policies related to immigration in Romania: Mara Roman (Representative of the European Commission), Tudor Badea (Ministry of the Interior, General Inspectorate for Immigration), Gabriela Leu (UNHCR) and Bogdan Preda (Romanian National Council for Refugees). 

The collaboration between ASE and the Republic of Korea continues for the implementation of the project “The impact of Digitalisation on SMSs: Challenges for Public Governance and Economic Development“, in cooperation with the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and the Korea Productivity Center (KPC). 

 

3. Collaboration for SDG best practice

  • The participation of the Faculty of Agri-Food Economics and the Environment at the “Ready for the Green Transition?” event, organized in a hybrid system by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Romania, in cooperation with the Centre of Excellence for agri-food educational resources and sustainable development. The event was an open dialogue about the role that agricultural education plays or should play to contribute to this transition, about the importance of the notion of circular economy and sustainability in the agri-food field and beyond, about the often underestimated role of “green” from our living environment.  
  • The book “Business Revolution in the Digital Era”, highlights concepts like knowledge entropy for developing intellectual capital and creating intelligent organizations and presents the novel soft-computing methods in digital coaching environment. 
  • The book “Ecological reconstruction. Arguments and challenges” provides a synthesis of knowledge related to the identification and characterization of ecological reconstruction activities, presenting some results of programs developed for damaged ecosystems. The amplification of integrated ecological reconstruction works represents one of the challenges of the environmental problems of the 21st century aimed at increasing the quality of life, requiring the change of the current development paradigm. 
  • The Working paper collection of the Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics gathers both studies on sustainability and climate change, incipient research in these topics or good practices that could be further developed in Romania. 
  • The Romania-Vietnam international experience within the Romanian-Canadian EMBA program to identify real solutions for the digitization of business processes. 
  • ASE’s participation in the summer training program on the fundamentals of blockchain technology and smart contracts; examples of best practices in logistics, international trade, international finance, auditing, public processes, automobiles and agriculture. The courses are supported by representatives of the seven partner institutions implementing the BLOCKS project: UOC, ASE, ZITEC – Romania, TelTEch University – Estonia, Mathemagenesis – Greece, Viteco – Italy, Baltic Computer Academy – Latvia. 
  • Cooperation with the Academy of Economic Sciences from the Republic of Moldova in order to enhance cooperation on different topics. 

4. Collaboration with companies and NGOs

Developing projects in collaboration with companies, which are already implemented or newly proposed. 

The event “Romanian Education in the context of Industry 4.0” hosted the results of the largest robotics competition in Romania for students were announced. The annual competition is organized by NEXTLAB.TECH–ASE Bucharest, coordinated by the ASE professor Răzvan Bologa. The main national sponsor is the Romanian Commercial Bank. Additional contributions were provided by the Dacia-Renault Group and Măgurele Science Park. 

The project Smart Lab INACO was initiated by the ASE professor Andreea Paul.  The intelligent digital laboratories created by INACO bring a new concept to Romanian education, change the way of teaching and, with the help of technology, offer an open and inspirational learning space, which favours the student-centred educational process. Professor Paul received the international award: “Innovative Educational Project of the Year 2021”, awarded by the Avantis company at BETT – London, within the largest educational fair in the world. In the last five years, there were built 19 Smart Lab INACO intelligent digital educational laboratories. 

Involvement of students in sustainable development and social responsibility activities, by organizing workshops or other specific student activities: (Details here, p.178)

  • The course Management of projects/activities intended for students from disadvantaged categories”, within the project “ProASE – inclusion and equal opportunities for ASE students”.
  • Workshops and study visits for students of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Economics with specialists from Green Group, Agricloud (intelligent agriculture), IKEA, Green Energy Romanian Innovative Biomass Cluster, Ecotic, Biodeck, etc.

The Agrifood and Environmental Economics Club reunite students with interests in climate change and environmental economics within ASE. Several activities were carried out for progressing in achieving SDGs: 

  • SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: working papers on this topic
  • SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities: contribution of the students on the Agrifood and Environmental Economics Club blog
  • SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production: the A.C.U.M. project. of students and graduates of the faculty, aiming to create an urban garden in the university based on the principles of the circular economy

 New strategic partnerships with the business environment as a source of university development:

  • Strategic partnership with ING Bank Romania, which includes support for the continuous updating of education plans and study programs, as well as the realization of joint projects. 
  • Partnership with Elrond Network, the second unicorn in Romania, in order to digitize administrative processes, an essential step for the sustainable and sustainable development of the activity of the ASE. 
  • Partnership with Norofert Group, one of the most important producers of ecological inputs in Romania, represented by Mr. Vlad Popescu, General Manager. The partnership will be realized on several levels, one of the most important being the provision of a practice base and the granting of private scholarships for ASE students from the bachelor’s and master’s programs in the field of agro-food economy and the environment. Specialists from Norofert Group will be invited to courses and conferences organized by ASE. Together with the teaching staff, they will develop studies and implement projects with non-reimbursable funding. Norofert Group specializes in organic fertilizers, manufactured entirely in Romania from natural and ecological ingredients, organic phytosanitary products, insecticides and fungicides, seed treatments and foliar treatments. Norofert Group currently owns approximately 30% of the local organic farming input market. 
  • Partnership with the Agricultural Cooperative “Tara mea”. Based on this agreement, students of the Faculty of Agricultural Economics and the Environment will be able to benefit from internships and private scholarships offered by the partner, the collaboration can be extended by the participation of the specialists of the Agricultural Cooperative ” My Country” at courses and conferences organized by ASE, carrying out research studies and participating, in partnership, in the implementation of projects with non-reimbursable funding. 
  • Strategic partnership with Carrefour for the next 3 years. The partnership begins with a first program entitled “School of Leaders”, launched by Carrefour Romania in July. It aims to train the leaders of tomorrow, as ambassadors of the company, offering them, among other things, the opportunity to be mentored in key areas by recognized teachers from ASE. 

ASE students can be involved in volunteer actions carried out by the ASE Foundation. 

 

5. Education for SDG

The Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Economics started the project “Development of institutional capacity for the implementation of sustainable development objectives in higher education”. The European, national context, as well as the integrated approach both at the ASE level regarding Sustainable Development, through: the master’s program “Sustainable Development of Businesses and Economic Organizations”, the Research Center for Sustainable Development; the optional discipline “Sustainable Development” and not only, implicitly led to the development of this project, which wants to identify solutions for ensuring the engagement of the higher education system in the process of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Specific courses on sustainability were developed and integrated in the curriculum of the across the university, such as:

Open courses: ASE’s partnership with the company Garrett Motion implies a better connection of the academic and business environments by organizing open courses supported by Garrett Motion experts. Garrett Open Courses will be held throughout the 2021-2022 academic year. 

Free workshop on „Ecological packaging”, provided by the Faculty Agrifood and Environmental Economics within the event “European Researchers’ Night 2021”. (Details here, p.180)

Open access to live lectures on “Progress towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”, during the World Sustainable Development Teach-in Day or “Why organic farming is important”.

Courses provided in partnership with private companies: ASE’s partnership with the company Garrett Motion implies a better connection of the academic and business environments by organizing open courses supported by Garrett Motion experts. Garrett Open Courses will be held throughout the 2021-2022 academic year. 

ASE’s library provides free access to textbooks and courses on different topics, sustainability included, and training sessions. 

Access to free courses is made available as a result of participation in different international projects: