Between 24-30 January 2026, the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) has hosted a new edition of 10 Days of INGENIUM, bringing together representatives from each of the ten universities of the INGENIUM European University Alliance. By organising this major international event for the second time, TUIASI has reaffirmed its position as a leading player in the European educational landscape.
The programme included strategic coordination meetings, a new edition of the Senior Winter School, staff development activities, and cultural events, offering a comprehensive and structured environment for advancing the Alliance’s objectives.
”These days at TUIASI demonstrated the operational maturity of INGENIUM: a consortium that has evolved through consistent collaboration and shared academic values, as well as a commitment to building a more integrated European Higher Education Area. TUIASI contributed as both host and active partner, providing the institutional framework necessary for productive dialogue and meaningful progress”
remarked the main organiser of the event, Professor Irina Lungu, Vice-Rector for International Relations and INGENIUM Project Coordinator in TUIASI.
Strategic meetings: Advancing the Alliance’s long term vision
During the week, INGENIUM’s governance bodies convened in Iași to review progress, align priorities, and plan the next steps in the Alliance’s development. The meetings brought together rectors, vice‑rectors, work package leaders, student board and administrative coordinators, who worked collectively on refining academic pathways, strengthening mobility structures, and expanding joint initiatives.
A key moment of the week was the attendance of Ana Sofia Coutinho, Project Officer at the European Commission. She confirmed the Alliance’s positive trajectory following its mid‑term review. Her presence underscored the importance of INGENIUM within the broader European Universities Initiative.
With the strategic plan now approved and the leadership team consolidated, INGENIUM is now preparing to submit its new proposal in March. The objective is to secure funding until December 2028, ensuring continuity and strengthening the Alliance’s position within the European Higher Education Area.
This forward‑looking agenda reflects the consortium’s commitment to long‑term collaboration and its ability to deliver transformative, sustainable initiatives across education, research, and innovation.
Senior Winter School: Applied Learning and Industry Collaboration
One of the week’s central components was the Senior Winter School, which brought together students from all INGENIUM partner universities for three Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) designed around the theme: Science Meets Industry. The school’s structure emphasised applied learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and direct engagement with industry experts.
Participants attended lectures, workshops, and hands‑on sessions delivered by specialists from: Rubik Hub, which focused on the idea development, innovation culture, and entrepreneurial mindset; Aumovio Technologies, which offered insights into mobility challenges, technology feasibility, and industry‑driven problem‑solving; Strongbytes, which guided students through ethical AI development, transparency, and responsible innovation; Amazon, which provided perspectives on intellectual property, technology ecosystems, and global innovation frameworks; Fab Lab Iași, which connected engineering and design with prototyping, digital fabrication, and practical experimentation.
Alongside industry partners, TUIASI professors played a significant role, delivering lectures and workshops on product design, co‑creation methodologies, technology transfer, AI regulation, business model development, and the psychological dimensions of emerging technologies. Their contributions ensured a strong academic foundation that complemented the applied, industry‑driven components of the program.
Three BIPs, three complementary directions
The Senior Winter School was structured around three Blended Intensive Programs (BIP), each addressing a distinct area of innovation:
1. Creative Convergence: Innovating Industries Together
This BIP explored how open innovation tools can support sustainable design and product development. Students worked with creativity methods, analysed industrial trends, and learned how to integrate intellectual property considerations into the innovation process. Collaborating with Rubik Hub, Fab Lab Iași, and design experts fostered an environment where ideas evolved into tangible concepts.
2. Ethical AI Development
This BIP offered a structured journey into the responsibilities associated with emerging technologies. Participants examined algorithmic transparency, explainability, societal impact assessment, and the ethical frameworks needed for responsible AI development. Strongbytes specialists and TUIASI academics guided students through case studies, evaluation tools, and discussions on European AI regulations.
3. Driving Innovation through Industry Challenges
In this BIP, students worked directly on real problems proposed by companies, transforming industry challenges into starting points for creative and feasible solutions. Aumovio Technologies and other partners provided authentic contexts, while teams progressed through exploration, ideation, technology mapping, and viability assessment. TUIASI professors complemented the process with academic perspectives on requirements analysis, prototyping, and impact evaluation.
The program encouraged students to work in multidisciplinary teams, analyse real‑world challenges, and propose solutions that integrate technical, ethical and business considerations. Their final presentations demonstrated both technical competence and the ability to articulate the societal relevance of their work, an essential skill in contemporary engineering and innovation environments.
Staff Program: Strengthening Operational Synergies Across the Alliance
In parallel, the Staff Program offered opportunities for administrative and academic personnel to exchange best practices and strengthen operational collaborations. Sessions addressed topics such as project coordination, student services, mobility management, and institutional governance.
These exchanges highlighted the importance of the human infrastructure behind European university alliances. Beyond strategic documents and formal agreements, INGENIUM relies on teams who ensure that processes, systems, and services function coherently across institutions. The Staff Program reinforced this foundation by fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared approaches to common challenges.
Cultural Engagement: Connecting Through Local Identity
The programme also included cultural activities that allowed participants to experience the local context and connect beyond formal sessions. The theatre non-verbal performance“The Clowns’ Station” at the Luceafărul Theatre, along social events, offered insight into Iași’s cultural landscape and contributed to building stronger interpersonal connections within the Alliance.
These moments complemented the academic and strategic components of the week, reinforcing the idea that European collaboration is enriched by cultural understanding and shared experiences.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, TUIASI Rector Dan Cașcaval PhD emphasized the value of sustained cooperation:
“Welcoming the INGENIUM community to TUIASI and Iași has shown once again that European universities can redefine their future when they work together. These days were not just about meetings and workshops, they were about building trust, sharing values, and envisioning the future of higher education guided by innovation and solidarity.”
The Rector’s message captures the essence of the program: a commitment to collaboration grounded in shared principles and a forward‑looking vision for European higher education.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 edition of 10 Days of INGENIUM @TUIASI contributed significantly to the Alliance’s ongoing development. It advanced strategic discussions, supported student learning, strengthened administrative cooperation, and reinforced the connection between academia, industry and culture.
”INGENIUM prepares its next proposal and we will continue to provide expertise, infrastructure and demonstrate a strong commitment to the Alliance’s mission. As we look toward 2028 and beyond, our commitment remains clear: to turn strategic collaboration into lasting, transformative impact for the next generation of engineers. We have proven our capacity to provide the institutional framework where students, academics, and tech leaders can engage in truly productive dialogue. This week in Iași demonstrated that European collaboration thrives when institutions work together with clarity, purpose and a shared belief in the transformative power of education and innovation.”
Prof. Irina Lungu, INGENIUM Coordinator @TUIASI.
