Danubius International University marked an important moment in its academic activities with the recording of its first podcast, produced by the university's Media Department. The event was honored by the presence of the Rector and CEO of the University, Dr. Steve O. Michael, alongside the President of Administrative Board, Prof. Dr. Andy Pușca. Special guests included renowned academic figures such as Professor Stephen Obaro, PhD, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dr. Anna Plechata Krausova, Chancellor of Newton University in Prague. The discussions addressed pertinent themes in the field of higher education, with a particular emphasis on international collaborations and the exchange of best practices within global academic institutions.

The podcast provided a platform for a profound reflection on contemporary higher education, offering valuable perspectives from the invited experts. The full recording is available to the public on the official YouTube channel of Danubius International University. We invite you to watch the entire podcast to explore the in-depth discussions and gain a clear understanding of the future directions of global higher education.

Claudia Ștefania Marghiru

At the opening of the proceedings of the EIRP 2025 International Conference, organized under the auspices of the Danubius International University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Andy Pușcă, President of the Board of Directors, delivered a highly significant inaugural speech, emphasizing the essential role of universities in promoting an open and responsible dialogue in the context of current challenges. In his address, he highlighted the need for clear and courageous reflection, especially in a Europe facing significant changes and tensions.

Below, we present the full speech delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Andy Pușcă at the opening of the EIRP 2025 Conference:

"At Danubius, we are not merely opening a conference. We are opening a reflection.

We are creating a space for lucidity, in a Europe that urgently needs clarity and courage.

We are in Galați – a border city. Between nations. Between histories. Between challenges.

Just a few kilometers away, a war is being fought. A war that we feel not only in the news but also in our hearts. This context cannot be ignored. It compels us.

It compels us to talk about Europe. Not just as a geographical or economic space.

But as a human and moral project. It compels us to discuss extremism, fear, polarization – and the role we, universities, have in keeping the horizon of democracy, dialogue, and free thinking open.

EIRP 2025, therefore, is more than an academic event. It is a call.

To responsibility. To coherence. To intellectual solidarity.

In a world of noise, we choose reflection.

In a world of fragmentation, we choose integration.

In a world of automation, we choose to remain profoundly human.

It is a historic transition. And at Danubius, we choose to be actors in this change, not spectators. We choose to form students who know how to think, not just run commands. We choose to remain connected to social realities, not isolated in sterile theories.

Romania is part of a Europe in crisis. But also part of a Europe in reconstruction. And our university, born from the vision of one man and nurtured through the work of a team, reaffirms its mission today: to be a bridge. Between generations. Between disciplines. Between East and West.

I would like to thank the organizers, researchers, guests from both the country and abroad, but especially my colleagues and our students, who give meaning to this daily work.

Universities cannot stop wars.

But they can form the generation that will build peace."

The intervention of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Andy Pușcă provided a relevant conceptual framework for the conference proceedings, marking the beginning of a valuable exchange of ideas between researchers, academics, and practitioners from various fields. Thus, the 2025 edition of the EIRP Conference is shaping up to be a landmark in the regional and international academic landscape.

Claudia Ștefania Marghiru

The 20th edition of the International Conference European Integration – Realities and Perspectives (EIRP) successfully concluded on May 17, 2025, reaffirming the role of Danubius International University as a global hub of academic reflection. Held in a hybrid format, the conference brought together participants from across the world to explore fundamental topics essential to understanding the contemporary world, under the overarching theme “Events and Crises Shaping the World in the 21st Century.” Through interdisciplinary approaches, the scientific presentations offered innovative perspectives and solutions related to key areas such as sustainable economics, current geopolitical dynamics, emerging technologies in education, and the challenges of international migration.

Dr. Anna Plechata Krausova, Chancellor of NEWTON University in Prague and an applied social scientist specializing in resilience, leadership, and global education policy—holding a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree from the University of Oxford—emphasized in her address the critical importance of educational institutions’ adaptability in the face of global challenges. She underlined the essential role of educational leadership in advancing inclusive and sustainable learning systems.

Over the course of the two days, the scientific communication sessions were defined by genuine academic dialogue, supported by rigorous research and relevant case studies. EIRP 2025 not only provided a platform for disseminating research outcomes but also served as a lasting forum for fostering international cooperation, strengthening the academic community’s commitment to European values, high-quality education, and responsible innovation.

Claudia Ștefania Marghiru

On May 16, Danubius International University hosted the 20th Edition of the International Conference on European Integration – Realities and Perspectives, held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online participation via the ZOOM platform. Under the central theme Events and Crises Shaping the World in the 21st Century, the event brought together researchers, academics, and experts from around the globe in a multidisciplinary setting designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas, research findings, and best practices regarding current global challenges. A highlight of the conference’s opening session was the keynote presentations delivered by Prof. M.A. Dagmar Cagáňová from Newton University in Prague, Professor Stephen OBARO, PhD, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA, and Dr. Steve O. MICHAEL, RECTOR & CEO of Danubius International University—distinguished figures in the fields of entrepreneurial management and the internationalization of higher education.

The conference proceedings addressed a broad range of contemporary topics, including the green economy, international migration, global diplomacy, emerging technologies in education, and cybersecurity—reflecting the complex phenomena shaping today’s societies. Participants were encouraged to submit original research papers, which, upon acceptance, underwent a rigorous peer-review process and were published in the Proceedings of the EIRP Conference, a volume indexed in international databases. The event further reinforced the EIRP tradition of providing a high-level academic forum, serving as a benchmark within European discourse on integration, sustainability, and the adaptation of public policies to new global paradigms.

Claudia Ștefania Marghiru