The Danube Rector's Conference met the DRC representatives of all its member universities for the DRC Annual Conference 2023, from 19 to 20 October 2023, at the West University of Timișoara in Romania. This year, the discussions of the conference focused on the current and future developments of higher education in the EU and especially in the Danube Region. The main topic was 'Forty years of overcoming academic divisions: importance of higher education for democracy and culture"' as the DRC celebrated its 40th anniversary. It was an opportunity for DRC members to celebrate and connect with experts and scholars from the Danube Region.

On October 19, 2023, the IDM, together with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, awarded exceptional scientists, whose work contributed to the Danube Region.

The Danubius Awards 2023 Ceremony took place in a hybrid setting. You can find the recording of the ceremony on the IDM Youtube channel.

FORTY YEARS OF OVERCOMING ACADEMIC DIVISIONS: IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND CULTURE

The Danube Rectors' Conference meets this year to discuss the current and future developments of higher education in EU and especially in the Danube Region. The speeches and debates with international experts and scholars will focus on the European cohesion through higher education, as well as its condition in times of war.  Plans to foster research possibility for youth will be discussed with the recipients of the DRC Initiative Fund, and the participants will attend to the Ceremony for the Danubius Awards 2023. 

More information on the Annual Meeting can be found here:  2023 Annual Conference of the Danube Rectors' Conference

We are delighted to announce the successful culmination of the 18th DRC Summer School, held in the picturesque city of Cluj-Napoca and hosted by three esteemed Romanian universities. This year's event saw the convergence of 13 young scientists, university students, and emerging researchers hailing from 10 countries across the Danube Region and Central Europe. The week-long 18th DRC Summer School, themed "Transformation of post-war Europe: Challenging universities and research in the Danube Region?," took place in Cluj-Napoca from 16 to 22 July 2023.

Babeș-Bolyai University, the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, and the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine hosted this year's edition. Amidst the charming backdrop of Cluj-Napoca, participants engaged not only in insightful dialogues with experts on the designated theme but also in the exchange of their expertise from diverse research domains.

The core theme of the Summer School was rigorously explored through four focal points, namely democracy, inclusivity, digitalization, and European strategies during periods of conflict. These topics provided an enriched platform for comprehensive discussions and intellectual exploration.

The Summer School involved cultural aspects, allowing participants to engage in local traditions through group activities. This created a friendly atmosphere, deepening connections among attendees and offering a taste of Transylvanian life and cuisine. Guided city and botanical garden tours, alongside traditional dinners, enriched the week. A highlight was a field trip to Salina Turda, highlighting Romania's natural beauty. The experience concluded with a meaningful final gathering.