In alignment with the objectives of INGENIUM Alliance of European Universities, the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) celebrated World Environment Day on June 5, 2026, through a series of educational and interactive activities dedicated to promoting sustainable development, the circular economy, and environmental responsibility.
The event, initiated by the “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection and the Faculty of Hydrotechnics, Geodesy and Environmental Engineering, took place on the university campus. It brought together 213 participants, including 163 TUIASI students, 14 school students, and 36 teaching staff, organizers, academic and administrative staff, as well as representatives from institutions and organizations actively involved in environmental protection. The event was held with the participation of eight faculties of our university and in partnership with the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, the Environmental Guard of Iași, the Iași County Environmental Directorate, the Romanian Environmental Association, and Salubris S.A. Iași, reflecting the shared commitment of the academic environment and partner institutions to promoting sustainability and environmental protection.
Students and teachers from the “Gh. Asachi” Technical College of Iași and the “Nicolae Bălăuță” Vocational School of Șcheia attended the activities, alongside members of the TUIASI academic community from the following faculties: the “G.M. Cantacuzino” Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Faculty of Industrial Design and Business Management, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management. The diversity of the participants from different fields contributed to creating an interdisciplinary framework for dialogue and learning, where sustainability was approached from complementary perspectives specific to different fields of activity.
“The event aligned with the values promoted by the INGENIUM European University Alliance, of which TUIASI is a member, and it offered participants the opportunity to discover, in an interactive and applied way, solutions and practices dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development. Five workshops were organized and held simultaneously, giving participants the chance to experience how skills for sustainability can be developed creatively and innovatively.”
mentioned Prof. Brîndușa Slușer, PhD, the event coordinator
Participants took part in the “Climate Fresk” workshop, an interactive educational experience that facilitated the understanding of the causes and effects of climate change and highlighted the importance of individual and collective involvement in addressing environmental challenges.
Another highly appreciated activity was the workshop for assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on the environment, where participants monitored environmental parameters such as air quality and noise levels on campus, interpreted real data, and discussed measures that can help to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment.
Creativity and the principles of the circular economy were promoted through the “ReCreate” upcycling competition, where participating teams transformed reusable materials and waste into objects of practical or artistic value. The activity demonstrated that the resources can be utilized in an innovative and responsible manner, contributing to waste reduction and the development of a circular-oriented mindset.
Participants also tested their ability to make sustainable decisions during the “EcoQuest” interactive simulation, an educational game based on real-world scenarios regarding waste management, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, and the circular economy. Through collaboration and strategy, the teams identified solutions for developing a more sustainable and eco-friendly campus.
A special moment of the event was represented by the art exhibition and workshop made from recycled materials, organized in collaboration with the pupils of the “Nicolae Bălăuță” Vocational School of Șcheia. The exhibited works highlighted the creative potential of material reuse and demonstrated that sustainability can also be expressed through art, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of ideas between school pupils and university students.
At the end of the activities, 70 prizes were awarded to the participants in recognition of their involvement, creativity, and performance demonstrated during the competitions and workshops held throughout the event.
“Through this initiative, TUIASI has reinforced its commitment to promoting sustainability, environmental education, the circular economy, and sustainable development. These core values also reflect the objectives undertaken by our university within the INGENIUM European Alliance: to generate knowledge and new ways of thinking, and to train competent graduates who are prepared for a more sustainable future. The event proved that change begins with education, involvement, and collaboration, and the academic community plays an essential role in shaping a more responsible society,”
stated Prof. Irina Lungu, PhD, Vice-Rector for International Relations.
