In December 2013 Transilvania University played host to the annual meeting of the National Council of Rectors and the National Council for Financing Higher Education. The working sessions of these panels took place at the university's Aula Magna, which also accommodated a wide range of thematic exhibitions, in dedicated areas: “From virtual reality to material achievements”, “Creativity-Research-Invention”, “From raw wood to artwork”, “Tradition and respect”, “Our students”, “National and international recognition”, “Talent, perseverance, cooperation”, and “Our

thUniversity's 65 Anniversary”. The exhibitions represented a good occasion of presenting the top scientific achievements of the university's researchers, who, together with dedicated and impassionate students work at the research centres of the Research and Development Institute for High-Tech Products for Sustainable Development, PRO-DD. Thus present were the members of the BlueStreamline team, showcasing their latest single-seater racing car (a team led by Dr. Mihai Comşiţ from the Research Centre for Renewable Energy and Recycling and Alexandru Chitic exhibiting his sugar and vegetable sculptures, already famous in international contests, supervised by Dr. Vasile Pădureanu, from the Research Centre for Eco-Biotechnologies and Agricultural and Food Processing Equipment. The exhibitions titled “From virtual reality to material achievements” and “Creativity-Research-Invention” showcased achievements of the R&D Institute Research Centres for Industrial Informatics and Robotics (Research Laboratory for Virtual Reality and Robotics), Advanced mechatronic Systems, and Economic Engineering and Manufacturing Systems. The exhibitions titled “From raw wood to artwork” and “Tradition and respect” showcased achievements of the R&D Institute Research Centres for Sustainable Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources, Forest Management and Land Measurement, and Furniture Eco-Design, Restoration and Wood Industry Certification. On the occasion of his participating in the annual meeting of the National Council of Rectors and the National Council for Financing Higher Education, Mihnea Costoiu, delegate minister for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Development visited the R&D Institute of Transilvania University. The minister had meetings with the general director of the institute, Dr. Ion Vişa and members of the research centres and laboratories. The minister congratulated the institute's staff for successfully completing the project financed from European structural funds and fulfilling all assumed obligations and emphasized the importance of such a modern and dynamic institute for Romania's international visibility in a wide range of fields of scientific research.

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF RECTORS CONVENES AT TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRAŞOVTHE VISIT OF MIHNEA COSTOIU, DELEGATE MINISTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION,

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE R&D INSTITUTE

NE WS L E T T E R

Instrumente Structurale 2007-2013GUVERNUL ROMÂNIEI

Sectoral Operational Programme “INCREASE OF ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS”Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

„Investments for your future”Priority Axis 2: Research, Technological Development and Innovation for Competitiveness

Operation 2.2.1 Development of the existing R&D infrastructure and of new infrastructure (laboratories, centres of excellence)

Research, Development and Innovation Institute: High-Tech Products for Sustainable Development - PRO-DDContract no. 11 / 01.03.2009, ID 123, SMIS 2637

Dr. Liliana RogozeaDr. Andrea Deaconescu

nd stOn the 22 and 31 of October, Transilvania University of Brașov played host to a series of events organized in partnership with the Fulbright Commission and, respectively, with the DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.

On behalf of the Romanian – U.S. Fulbright Commission, Ms. Corina Dănăilă, Program Coordinator for Romanian citizens, introduced the Fulbright grant program for academics and researchers, and highlighted the ongoing competition Fulbright Senior (Visiting Scholar) for teaching and research grants for 2014-2015.

stSimilarly, on October 31 Ms. Katja Lasch, Director of the DAAD Information Centre Bucharest, introduced the grants opportunities for 2014-2015: our students and researchers had a chance find out about the ways to further their knowledge of German language and civilization in an international summer school, or enrol in a master's or doctoral program. DAAD also offered participants the opportunity to follow through the German language test, a compulsory stage within the program admission schedule.

Dr. Simona Lache

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE R&D INSTITUTE MEMBERS: THE FULBRIGHT AND DAAD OFFERS FOR 2014-2015GRANTS FOR RESEARCHERS, ACADEMICS, PhD AND MA STUDENTS

. The preservation and restoration of furniture and wood represents a unique field which was developed and perfected with enthusiasm at the Faculty of Wood Engineering and the Research Centre for Furniture Eco-Design, Restoration and Certification in Wood Industry..

The annual restoration exhibitions and the volunteer actions for the salvage and preservation of the wooden national heritage have already become a tradition.

Recently, a new premiere has been added to the achievements in the field: The Research Centre of the Faculty of Wood th Engineering attended the National Restoration Fair, Craiova 2013, opened on October 11 - an event occasioned by the inauguration

of the International Conference MATCONS 2013 – Matter and Materials in Conservation.Organized by the Museum of Oltenia together with Dolj County Council under the aegis of ICOM (International Council of

Museums), the trade showcased a selection of pieces from our mobile cultural heritage, representative works of preservation and restoration by laboratories of the major Romanian museums.

Our exhibits were a Napoleon III-style set consisting of two armchairs and two chairs restored in our Faculty's laboratories. These pieces represent the dissertation works of the MA students Raluca Pușcariu and Ioana Pîrcălăboiu (Master EDMR – Preservation-Restoration).

To have one's work displayed among the works by museum specialists and experts is obviously an important step forward in one' professional evolution; furthermore, to be awarded a Diploma with Merit stands for a vote of confidence and an incentive for perseverance and improvement.

While we do hope to be able to attend MATCONS restoration fairs and conferences in the future, the Faculty of Wood Engineering and the Research Centre for Furniture Eco-Design, Restoration and Certification in Wood Industry reasserts its mission to take an active part, through research and education, in the preservation of our national cultural heritage.

Dr. Maria Cristina Timar

THE RESEARCH CENTRE FOR FURNITURE ECO-DESIGN, RESTORATION AND CERTIFICATION IN WOOD INDUSTRY PARTICIPATES

IN THE NATIONAL RESTORATION FAIR

th thBetween the 17 and the 19 of October, the University's Aula Magna was the venue of the eighth edition of International Conference 'Business Excellence' organised by our Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration at Transilvania University and the Business Studies Academy of Bucharest, together with the Bucharest Society for Excellence in Business.

The main aim of the conference was to bring together university and research institute specialists and practitioners, to create a stimulating environment for knowledge development and business know-how excellence and to foster relationships between Romanian and international business by means of a better understanding of the new challenges, opportunities and threats generated by both globalisation and competition.The conference started with a festivity during which the Rector, Dr. Ioan Vasile Abrudan, presented Dr. Theodor Stolojan with a diploma of excellence for his outstanding contribution to knowledge and education.

The plenary speakers at the conference were Dr. Theodor Stolojan, member of the European Parliament, Professor Paolo Bisogni from the Catholic University of Piacenza (Italy) who is also president of the Italian Logistics Professional Association and Supply Chain Management (AILOG), and Mr. Alexandru Simionescu, general manager of Siemens Convergence Creators Ltd.

Dr. Ioana Chițu

th'BUSINESS EXCELLENCE' INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – 8 EDITIONICBE 2013

th thOn the 24 and 25 of October, Transilvania University hosted the fifth International Conference 'Computational Mechanics and Virtual Engineering – COMEC 2013'.

The papers presented focused on advanced domains such as Computational Methods, the Finite Element Method, Discretization Methods, Reverse Problems, Mechanics of Solid Bodies, Materials Modelling, Nanomechanics, Non-linear Analysis, Multi-body Systems, Composite Materials, Structural Optimisation, Experimental Mechanics, Biomechanics, etc. This is indicative of the worldwide recognition received by the research in the area of mechanical engineering conducted at Transilvania University and its R&D Institute by the Research Centres for Numerical Simulation, Testing and Materials Mechanics (the Multibody Systems, Control and Numerical Methods Laboratory) and High Tech Products for Motor Vehicles .

Dr. Sorin Vlase

FROM COMPUTATIONAL METHODS TO VIRTUAL ENGINEERING

th On November 26 , Transilvania University hosted the round table Transilvania University in dialogue with the IT&C Industry in Brașov. The discussions were aimed at identifying the expectations of the economic sector concerning teaching and research activities. The primary target of this action were faculties representing the main interface with the IT&C framework, i.e. Mathematics and Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.

The first part of the meeting focused on the IT&C activities and resources available at our University. The Rector, Dr Ioan Vasile Abrudan, briefed the participants on a number of aspects related to the student population, while representatives the management of the two faculties gave an overview of the study programs, the IT&C research streams, teams and resources.

During the second part of the meeting, companies suggested actions targeted at improving the education and research activities. Therefore, in order to contribute to the success of formal training programmes, the companies will become actively involved in the recruitment process as early as possible, by providing high school students with demo kits aimed at integrating prospective students into the university strategy.

A new dedicated portal available to both students and companies will include details and specifications regarding internship programmes. The companies will formally introduce themselves to students in the first days of each new academic year. Similarly, more emphasis will be laid on preparing the students for entrepreneurship.

The participants' conclusion was that given its resources, Transilvania University has the potential to strengthen its position as a business and research partner, as well as promoter of Braşov as a major university town in - among others - the field of IT&C.

Dr Luminiţa Pârv

TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY IN DIALOGUE WITH THE IT&C INDUSTRY OF BRAŞOV

At the beginning of November every other year, the Faculty of Wood Engineering organizes the International Conference on Wood Science and Engineering – ICWSE. In its ninth edition, this year's conference was held under the patronage of two prestigious organizations: Forest Products Society (FPS) and International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). Intended as a platform for scientists and researchers worldwide, the conference registered a record number of 130 participants from 24 countries: Albania, Algeria, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Korea, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Great Britain, Nigeria, Norway, The Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia, United States of America, Sudan, Sweden, Turkey, and Romania.

th thOn the 7 and 8 of November, the University's Aula Magna hosted 110 presentations and twenty posters, all of them interesting through their novelty, immediate industrial applicability or their synoptic view on major impact topics.

The four keynote speakers were renowned researchers: Professor Dr Rupert Wimmer (BOKU University Austria), Dr Thomas Schmidt, Research & Innovation Manager of TIGER Coatings GmbH, manufacturer of synthetic powders; Dr Timothy Young

(University of Tennessee and President of Forest Products Society – guest of honour at ICWSE 2013) and Dr Marius Cătălin Barbu (Transilvania University of Brasov, coordinator of IUFRO 5.04 Wood Processing).

The conference proceedings, carefully selected by 43 reviewers (out of which 30 foreign reviewers), were grouped in ten panels and published in ProLigno (Transilvania University Publishing House), a publication indexed in international databases such as CABI, DOAJ, DRJI and EBSCO Publishing.

Dr Lidia Gurău

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WOOD SCIENCE AND ENGINEERINGICWSE 2013

thOn the 6 of November, at Aula Magna, Professor Dr Peter Pleus, member of the executive board of Schaeffler AG and president of the Schaeffler Automotive Group, gave a presentation on “The Evolution of Internal Combustion engines” as part of the “Leaders of the Automotive Science and Industry Present...” conference series.

The conference had a large turnout consisting of undergraduate and postgraduate students at our technical faculties, researchers from the Centre High Tech Products for Motor Vehicles as well as of guests from outside the University, automotive industry specialists and representatives of the business environment.

The event was an opportunity for participants to gain insights in the domain of car science and, judging by the large audience, its impact was significant. Dr Pleus also met with the management of our University for a discussion about possible ways to establish research partnerships between our University and Schaeffler AG.

Dr Ioan Călin Roşca

LEADERS OF THE AUTOMOTIVE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY PRESENT

CONFERENCE ON THE EVOLUTION OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

The information culture is a new subject which develops skills and abilities of essence to education and research. Possessing the expertise to transfer knowledge in this domain, our University is, together with the Technologic Institute from Limerick (Ireland) the University of Crete (Greece) and Middlesex University (UK) part of an excellence network called RINGIDEA. Within this framework we promote the information culture in the Balkan countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Kosovo. One of the main objectives of this project was the introduction of the course “Information Culture” to the partner countries. This involved efforts in the way of harmonizing the different practices in the Balkan countries and drafting a common syllabus of the course.

th thIn this context, between the 4 and 11 of November we received the visit of our partners from Montenegro represented by Jelena Terzic and Emilija Rabrenovic from the University of Montenegro. Their stay with us included a visit to the Faculty of Product Design and Environment. The faculty laboratories were presented and different teaching techniques of Information Culture were compared. The ensuing discussions focused on the assessment of the scientific quality of information and on methods to avoid plagiarism, as well as on the need to draft a style guide for the use of citation, and instructions for the use of bibliography generating

software. The visit to the Public Library was an opportunity to introduce the guests to the

existing practices for the induction of users into the particulars of Information Culture; the visits paid to the Museum of Urban Civilization and the Museum of Ethnography gave us a chance to promote local culture and history.

Dr Angela Repanovici

THE TEMPUS PROJECT DEVELOPING INFORMATION LITERACY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

th th thThe 11 Edition of the International Conference SYROM, held between the 11 -12 of November, was co-organized by Transilvania University, The International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science (IFToMM), The Romanian Association for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science (ARoTMM, the Romanian branch of IFToMM), and the Romanian Academy of Technical Sciences. The conference panels represented the opportunity of introducing the latest research results in the fields of Conceptual Design; Cinematic and Dynamic Modelling and Simulation; System Synthesis and Optimization; Applications in High-tech Products and Current Educational Trends in Machine Science.

Following a peer-review analysis performed by the Scientific Committee, 51 papers were selected for panel discussions, and four papers for plenary presentations. The proceedings were published in the conference volume published by Springer Printing House.The Romanian and international participants from China-Beijing, China-Taipei, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, and USA highlighted the highly topical nature of this field, particularly in the context of the globalization of knowledge sharing and the interdisciplinary integration of machine science into the development of new products.

The conference agenda included a visit to the R&D Institute, where the attendees were introduced to samples of novel products – including innovative solutions of mechanisms and machinery developed to increase the efficiency of conversion systems for

renewable energy, especially PV modules and solar-thermal collectors. This visit as well as the entire conference represented an opportunity for all participants to set out grounds for further discussions on new research projects, and to prepare the first European project proposals to be run within the framework of HORIZON 2020 programme.

Dr Ion VişaPresident of SYROM Conference

SYROM 2013 CONFERENCEHIGH-TECH PRODUCTS AND CURRENT TRENDS IN MACHINE SCIENCE

st ndBetween the 21 and the 22 of November, the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management and the Research Centre for Economic Engineering and Manufacturing Systems of our University's Research and Development Institute organized the International Conference on Economic Engineering and Manufacturing Systems – ICEEMS 2013 .

The venue of the conference was the Faculty of Technological Engineering and Industrial Management. The papers of this already traditional conference which brings together researchers in and outside Romania were published in the Recent Journal

included in the Copernicus Journal Master List and ULRICH'S Periodicals Directory databases.The conference panels were devoted to areas with a real impact on the industrial field,

such as Economic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering (Manufacturing Machines, Equipment, New and Innovating Materials), Sustainable Development and Environment Protection and Management, Quality Engineering and Entrepreneurship.

Dr Catrina Chivu

THE SEVENTH EDITION OF THE ICEEMS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

th On the 18 of December, the headquarters of Braşov County Council was the venue of a ceremony within which ten young

members of Transilvania University's teaching staff were awarded prizes for outstanding scientific research results in 2013. The main

criterion for the selection of the prize winners was their research activity, a crucial quality criterion for a high-standard university - as Dr

Ioan Vasile Abrudan, Rector of the University, pointed out in his address.

The researchers who published articles in journals with a high impact factor in 2013 were awarded diplomas and excellence

prizes. They are: Ion Cătălin Petrea (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), Cristian Falup Pecurariu (Faculty of

Medicine), Luminiţa Andronic (Faculty of Product Design and Environment), Luminiţa Barote (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and

Computer Science), Gabriela Huminic (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering), Ovidiu Popescu (Faculty of Mathematics and Computer

Science), Codruţa-Nicoleta Aldea (Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science), Adela Eliza Dumitraşcu (Faculty of Technological

Engineering and Industrial Management), Cristian Cezar Postelnicu (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering) and Mihai Alexandru Luca

(Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering).

Mihai Pascu and Claudiu Coman, representatives of Brașov County Council,

congratulated the young prize winners and stressed the importance of the County

Council's cooperation with Transilvania University, a lively contributor in the setting up of

county development strategies as well as a partner in many common projects.

The ceremony concluded with a beautiful artistic performance offered by students from

Tudor Ciortea Music Highschool.

Dr Andrea Deaconescu

UNIVERSITY – BRAȘOV COUNTY COUNCIL PARTNERSHIPPRIZES FOR YOUNG TEACHING STAFF

CIBv 2013 CONSTRUCTIONS AND INSTALLATIONS CONFERENCE BRAŞOVTHE FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING - A CONSTANT PARTNER OF THE R&D INSTITUTE

th th thBetween the 25 and the 26 of October, our University hosted the 10 edition of the International Conference CIBv 2013 – Constructions and Installations Braşov 2013, organised by the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Romanian Association of Installation Engineers, the Braşov branch, under the patronage of the Romanian Academy of Technical Sciences. This edition was also an opportunity for the Faculty of Civil Engineering to celebrate its tenth anniversary.

Among the participants in the conference were members of the teaching staff from the faculties of civil engineering, architecture, hydrotechnical engineering, environment engineering and geodesy in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iaşi, Oradea, and Timişoara; representatives of local and national authorities: the Territorial Work Inspectorate Braşov, the State Inspection in Constructions; representatives of prominent publishing houses and journals, such as MatrixRom and Drumuri şi Poduri; specialists in this field from various companies: Nr-Tech S.R.L., Carpatcement Holding S.A., Criomec S.A., Consal S.A., Kronospan Romania S.R.L., Iovidia-Com S.R.L., Termo Confort S.R.L., Zada S.A., Viessmann, Mitek Industries Group Romania S.R.L., Australian Design Company S.R.L. and Geobrugg A.G. Protection Systems – Switzerland.

In the opening speech, Dr. Ioan Tuns, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, gave an outline of the development of the faculty since its foundation in 2003, highlighting the support the faculty received from the University, as well as from the teaching staff of similar faculties across the country in laying the groundwork for civil engineering education in Braşov. The deans and vice-deans of civil engineering faculties and the teachers who were invited conveyed their congratulations and support to our faculty.

The conference included plenary sessions and workshops. At the same time, the deans of civil engineering faculties attended a meeting whose aim was to harmonize the curricula and teaching methods in the field, and to initiate collaborative projects.

The conference concluded with a visit to our University's Research and Development Institute - a project in which the Faculty of Civil Engineering made a significant contribution.

Dr. Ioan Tuns

By the close of the year 2013, the “2014 Dacia 1300 Concept” had already become a hot topic, nationwide.

As early as his freshman year in the Industrial Design programme, Alexandru was involved in the design group of the

BlueStreamline team at Transilvania University led by Dr. Mihai Comşiţ from the Research Centre of Renewable Energy Systems and

Recycling, where he helped design the bodies of BS11, BS12 and BS 13 single-seater racing car.

This concept design revives the Romanians' forgotten passion for a car which had, for about 35 years, represented the iconic

flagship in the local landscape. Alexandru ingeniously selected the essential body elements of the 1969 sedan born at Mioveni, then

integrated and reinterpreted them into a modern concept defined by dynamism and style. Naturally, Dacia 1300 has been promoted to

the next level, from “people's car” to “luxury car”, a target class not yet approached by the local car maker, and where the rivalry is fierce:

Mercedes S-Klasse, BMW Serie 7, Audi A7 and - why not - Porsche Panamera...

With his impressive creativity and hard work, Alexandru allows us a glimpse into the future of Dacia. A scale model is planned as

part of his graduation project. Further support and hard work over the duration of his master studies will certainly lead to the building of

the 1:1 scale model.

Dr Mihai Comşiţ

NEW PROGRESS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN ACHIEVED AT TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY

ALEXANDRU MARIȘ AND THE REVIVAL OF DACIA 1300

Sectoral Operational Programme “INCREASE OF ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS”, Priority Axis 2 RDI, NATIONAL PROGRAMME CAPACITIES, MODULE 1: LARGE INVESTMENTS PROJECTS

Project: RDI Institute: High-Tech Products for Sustainable Development - PRO-DD, in the frame of the contract no. 11/2009, ID 123, SMIS 2637Editor / Project managerProf. dr. eng. Ion VISATel. 0372 729698, Fax: 0268-410525, e-mail: visaion@unitbv.ro,h�p://www.unitbv.ro/icdt/Proiecte/PRO-DD.aspx

Date of publication: 29.01.2013The content of this material does not represent the official position of the European Union and of the Romanian Government

Editor in Chief

Professor Ion Vişa, PhDProfessor Anca Duţă, PhD

Professor Liliana Rogozea, PhD

Professor Andrea Deaconescu, PhD

Codruţ Abdi, Msc

Editorial Board Transla�ngSenior lecturer Marinela Burada, PhD

Senior lecturer Gabriela Cusen, PhD

Senior lecturer Oana Tatu, PhD

Lecturer Raluca Sinu, PhD

Lecturer Mona Arhire, PhD

Teaching assistant Cris�na Valcea

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