Prof. Mihai Sorin Cîmpeanu,
PhD, rector of USAMV Bucharest
The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (USAMV Bucharest) is the successor to Romania’s first agricultural school, established 174 years ago. After three decades of operating under its current name, a period marked by significant transformation and adaptation to an educational landscape increasingly shaped by new technologies, the university is taking a decisive step forward by initiating and signing the National Pact for the Environment. The initiative aims to strengthen dialogue between academia and public administration at a time of growing climate challenges and mounting pressure on natural resources. This strategic document represents a firm commitment to cooperation between the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MMAP), the institutions under its coordination, authority, or supervision, and five Bucharest- based universities that educate future environmental specialists.
Designed as a long-term partnership to bridge the gap between theory and practice, the Pact supports environmental education, applied research, innovation, and the active involvement of the academic community in achieving Romania’s national and European environmental objectives. Through this Pact, academic expertise will contribute directly to the development and implementation of public policies and professional standards in the environmental sector.
The Pact also establishes a permanent mechanism through which academic research can respond more effectively to real-world environmental challenges. As a result, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students will be encouraged to focus their dissertations, theses, and research projects on topics directly relevant to national environmental strategies.
Strategic Objectives of the National Pact for the
Environment
- Integrating scientific research into governmental decision-making processes.
- Incorporating academic expertise into the implementation of public policies, standards, and European and global environmental objectives.
- Promoting environmental education with a focus on sustainable development, natural resource protection, and climate resilience.
- Training future generations of specialists capable of contributing to responsible, forward-looking, and participatory environmental governance.
- Establishing a stable framework for professional internships within the Ministry of Environment and its subordinate institutions.
- Creating a permanent mechanism linking the MMAP’s scientific evidence needs with university-based research, innovation, and academic training.
- Developing and regularly updating a national portfolio of priority research topics identified by the MMAP and its affiliated institutions based on real policy-making needs.
- Encouraging undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, postdoctoral, and applied research projects focused on issues directly relevant to environmental, water management, and forestry policies, regulations, strategies, programs, and projects.
- Reducing the gap between academic research and administrative decision-making through a predictable framework for identifying, sharing, applying, and leveraging scientific knowledge generated within universities.
- Promoting career opportunities among students, master’s candidates, and doctoral researchers from partner universities.
- Facilitating technical dialogue to translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications within the MMAP and its affiliated institutions.
- Collaborating in scientific sessions, conferences, and public debates focused on environmental legislation, prevention strategies, and modern methods of environmental risk
Institutions Signing the National Pact for the Environment The Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, together with the National Environmental Guard, the National Agency for Environment and Protected Areas, the Environmental Fund Administration, the National Meteorological Administration, the National Forestry Guard, the National Forest Administration – Romsilva, and the National Administration “Romanian Waters”, have committed to working directly with:
- The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (USAMV Bucharest);
- The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest (UPB);
- The University of Bucharest (UB);
- The Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE);
- The Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB).
The partnership may be expanded in the future to include other Romanian universities with expertise and research interests in sustainable development and climate resilience.
The National Pact for the Environment was officially signed during an event organized by the Faculty of Land Reclamation and Environmental Engineering of USAMV Bucharest, in partnership with the National Environmental Guard, on 5 June – World Environment Day.
