About the Conference
This year’s edition of the Balkan Conference on Standardization will be hosted by ASRO and the University of Life Sciences „King Mihai I of Romania” in Timișoara.
Timișoara, a vibrant and multicultural city in Western Romania, will welcome you on September 22-23 to explore the intersection of Standardization, Education, and Research. The conference will bring together representatives of national standards bodies, guests from European and international standardization organizations, and stakeholders from the national level.
Discussions will focus on: how to integrate education and standardization,the role of research in shaping future standards, collaborative opportunities for academia, industry, and standardization bodies.
Speakers
Andreea Gulacsi
CEN-CENELEC
Andreea Gulacsi is Director of Policy and External Affairs at CEN and CENELEC, two of the official European standardization organizations. In this role, she oversees the organizations’ engagement with policymakers, strategic partners, and stakeholders, both within the EU and internationally, while also leading external communication efforts. Andreea serves as secretary to the policy groups and works closely with CEN and CENELEC officials to coordinate the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategic initiatives.
Claire d'Esclercs
ETSI
Director of Education and Knowledge at ETSI, Claire d’Esclercs has dedicated her career to advancing technology standardization, joining ETSI in 1992. Her roles have included managing ETSI’s Membership Care Team, steering Forapolis, and spearheading ETSI’s external relations. Her pivotal contributions include launching the International Partnership Project for standardizing Mobile Broadband Systems for Public Safety and founding the Emergency Telecommunications group.
Henk J. de Vries
Rotterdam School of Management
Henk J. de Vries is Professor Emeritus of Standardisation Management at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He served the Netherlands Standardisation Institute NEN between 1984 and 2003, and has (also) worked at RSM from 1994 until 2024. Henk is Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management at the Delft University of Technology. He is the author or co-author of more than 400 publications in the field of standardisation, including a dozen of books. ISO awarded his education on standardisation as best in the world. He is Past President and Honorary Member of the European Academy for Standardisation EURAS.
CĂTĂLIN LUNGU
Technical University of Civil Engineering from Bucharest
Mr. Lungu got a PhD diploma in Civil Engineering (2004) at the Technical University of Civil Engineering from Bucharest (UTCB) with specialized training at Paris XII Val de Marne University, France.
Mr. Lungu is Associate Professor at the Technical University of Civil Engineering from Bucharest (www.utcb.ro) and was for 7 years a visiting professor at École nationale supérieure de l’énergie, de l’eau et de l’environnement, Grenoble, France. He specializes in dynamic simulation of HVAC and RES systems, including current topics like EPBD transposition, NZEB and ZEB applied concepts.
Elitsa Petkova
Cleantech Bulgaria
Mrs. Elitsa Petkova is a project coordinator in Cleantech Bulgaria. She holds a MSc in Environmental Management & Sustainability Science from Aalborg University, Denmark.
Mrs. Petkova has more than five years of experience with environmental coordination and project management in a manufacturing company with focus on optimization of processes, collection, monitoring and analysis on environmental data, development of strategies and policies for reduction of environmental impacts and continuous improvements. Currently, Mrs. Petkova manages diverse educational and innovation projects with industrial stakeholders as well as projects for policy support on national level in the fields of circular and green economy, sustainable and innovation development .
Dorin BEU
Romania Green Building Council
Senior researcher at Romania Green Building Council. Full professor at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, head of Lighting Engineering Laboratory (http://users.utcluj.ro/~lec)
BuildUp Ambassador (www.buildup.eu).
Manager of a new Professional Master in English at Technical University of Cluj-Napoca: Building Services for Regenerative Cities
Former president of Romanian Green Building Council RoGBC (www.rogbc.org) 2016-2019.
From RoGBC in charge with H2020 projects: CoME EAsy, EXC!TE, AFCOS and REN+HOMES.
Nikita Taranko Acosta
ISO
Nikita Taranko Acosta is the Regional Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia at the ISO Central Secretariat in Geneva, where he builds strong relationships with ISO members and regional standards organizations, guides membership processes, and promotes collaboration on standardization across the EU, EFTA, and CIS.
His academic background includes a Master’s degree in Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies from the University of Geneva; an MA in Conference Interpreting from the University of La Laguna (Spain); a degree in Multilingual Communication from the University of Geneva; and a joint BA in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Nikita’s intercultural and multilingual background enables him to foster constructive international engagement at ISO.
Adina CIUREA
Continental Automotive Romania
With 18 years of experience as a Patent Examiner and 9 years coordinating an IP team in the private sector, Adina Ciurea has a deep understanding of intellectual property law and its strategic application. Her career has been dedicated to safeguarding innovations and navigating complex patent landscapes.
As a Patent Examiner, she honed her skills in evaluating patent applications, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and protecting inventors’ rights. Later, in the private sector, she leveraged this expertise to coordinate IP strategies, manage patent portfolios, and represent Continental in key IP negotiations and legal proceedings — helping the company maintain a competitive edge in smart, connected mobility solutions.
Her team’s mission is to support Continental’s pursuit of innovation and sustainability by harnessing the power of intellectual property.
Ivana Mijatovic
Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade
Ivana Mijatović is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Organisational Sciences, University of Belgrade (UBFON). She is a passionate educator in the field of standardisation, teaching at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. At UBFON, she has developed an innovative Standardisation course that incorporates active learning methods and gamification elements. Her Serious Smiley Game, initially created for her standardisation classes and later upgraded for HSbooster.eu, has been widely recognised and well-received among standardisation educators.
IREN DABIZHEVA
Bulgarian Institute for Standardization (BDS)
Managing Director at BDS, registered TAIEX expert in many Workshops for standardization in building sector and particularly in implementation of Eurocodes – Skopje 2009, Chisinau 2009 and 2016, Istanbul 2015, Baku 2017, Tirana 2018. Study visit to JRC (EC) for ASEAN member states on the Eurocodes 2024 – lecturer and moderator.
Professional experience
1973 – 1999 Research and design Institute ISPROECT, Sofia – Construction designer of building and civil engineering works in the area of posts and telecommunications
1999 – 2009 Bulgarian Institute for Standardization – Senior expert, Head of sector “Building constructions and materials”, Technical Secretary of 3 National Technical Committees BDS/TC in building sector.
Sebastiano Cristoforetti
CRISCON
Sebastiano Cristoforetti is Managing Director and Technical Director at CRISCON, an engineering and consulting company. With over two decades of international experience in sustainable innovation for the built environment. A civil engineer by training, he has led high-impact projects across Europe and beyond, focusing on green construction and green finance, numerous certifications, PPPs, and sustainable real estate and infrastructure. He has delivered construction design for projects in Europe, Africa, the Americas and Oceania. He has also supported manufacturing companies in the construction sector to design and deliver innovative products and solutions.
FLORIN CIOCAN
NOKIA ROMANIA
A absolvit Facultatea de Electronică și Telecomunicații a Universității Politehnica Timișoara în anul 2001. A urmat cursuri de masterat în Electronică și Telecomunicații la Universitatea Politehnica Timișoara. În perioada 1998 – 2001 a fost președintele Ligii studenților din Facultatea de Electronică și Telecomunicații, membru al Senatului Universității Politehnica Timișoara și al Consiliului Facultății.
Este reprezentant din partea Nokia România pentru activitățile de ecosistem și coordonator al centrului de inovație Nokia România Garage. Profesionist cu o experiență de peste 20 de ani în domeniul telecomunicatiilor in managementul oamenilor și al proiectelor, s-a implicat în multiple activități, de la proiecte de inovații tehnice până la diverse programe educaționale.
Călin Muntean
Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie „Victor Babeș” din Timișoara
Călin Muntean MD PhD is a senior specialist physician in Public Health and Healthcare Management, with over 19 years of experience in the public health sector. He is an academic staff member at the „Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, where he actively contributes to curricular development in fields such as medical informatics, digital health, and bioinformatics. He is involved in national and international projects focused on digital innovation in healthcare, artificial intelligence for clinical decision support, public health policies, and medical informatics. He has coordinated professional training initiatives and provided expertise in the development of health policies at institutional and regional levels.
Education about standardization plays a crucial role for equipping future professionals across various disciplines, including engineering, business, law, and public administration. By integrating standardization into university curricula, students gain essential knowledge and skills that enhance their career prospects and contribute to innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability.
Despite significant progress, embedding standardization as a core academic discipline remains a challenge across Europe, making it essential to continue raising awareness among relevant stakeholders.
Conference Agenda
Draft Programme Outline
Day 1 – September 22
10:00
Opening Remarks
- National Standards Body in Romania – ASRO
- University of Life Sciences „King Mihai I of Romania” from Timișoara (USVT)
Welcome message, purpose of the event & setting the scene for the day
National and European Perspectives
Exploring the vision of national governments and the European Union institutions, collaboration and areas of overlap, focusing on educational and research topics in standardization.
10:10
European Policy & Standardization
Insights into current EU initiatives and the role of standardization in shaping European priorities.
10:25
Considerations on the ways standardization could support Education and Innovation in Romania
Contributions from Government Institutions
Shaping Tomorrow’s Standardization Landscape
Setting benchmarks, norms, or guidelines that will govern future practices in standardization. It’s about actively defining the needed skills for future standardization professionals.
10:45
European Policy & Standardization
Viewpoints from European standardization organisations CEN, CENELEC and ETSI, including experience-sharing on education about standardization initiatives.
11:20
Global Perspectives
International trends and developments, and global collaboration on education about standardization.
Panel debate on Education about Standardization
Initiatives, Best Practices and the
role of integrating education about standardization into academic curricula at the
European and national level.
12:00
Education about standardization
Panel discussion featuring academic institutions from national and European level.
Integrating standardization into curricula, interdisciplinary approaches & real-world application.
Boosting Business Competitiveness through Education, Research and Standardization
The strategic alignment of these critical components to foster business growth, innovation, and competitiveness. The session highlights the interconnectedness of research, education, and standardization in building a dynamic, resilient business ecosystem.
15:00
Workforce of the Future – need for education about standardization
Perspectives from industry stakeholders
Topics may include:
- Young professionals knowledgeable about business intelligence
- Innovation enabling standardization
- Implementation of standards in corporate practice
15:45
Open Discussion
If time allows: an interactive session to wrap up the day’s themes.
Day 2 – September 23
Powering Research – emphasizing innovations driven into the market with the support of standardization. This involves the infusion of funding, technology, expertise, hence collectively enabling close collaboration between research and standardization.
09:30
The role of Standardization in Research projects
A Perspective from the Romanian National Standardization Body
How standardization supports national and European research objectives.
09:45
Research Institutions at the Forefront of Standardization
An outlook from Romanian research organizations: focus on applied research, cross-sector collaboration and integration of standards in research projects.
Driving Excellence in National Standards Bodies – an in-depth look at strategies to foster innovation and strengthen collaboration with academia, ensuring implementation of best practices aligned with international benchmarks.
10:15
National Standardization Bodies from Balkan Region
Invited NSBs will share:
- Organization’s best practices in integrating standardization into education and training programs.
- Experience in engaging with universities, researchers, and policymakers.
- Young Professionals Program
- Involvement in European research projects that promote standardization at the national level.
AFCOS Project – a success story of close collaboration between research and standardization – key results and achievements – highlighting milestones, breakthroughs and successes that were accomplished throughout the project’s lifecycle.
11:00
The AFCOS Project: Pathways to Progress – Insights into green and sustainable construction supported by standardization of innovations and capacity building.
14:30
Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks
Reflections on the day’s discussions and key messages for the future.
Online Registration
Discover Timisoara
Timișoara, often called “Little Vienna”, is one of Romania’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. It is a city of history, innovation, and multicultural influences. Known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and lively atmosphere, Timișoara is the perfect place to host the Research & Education Conference on Standardization.
Why Visit Timișoara?
✔ A city of firsts – The first European city with electric street lighting (1884).
✔ Cultural & Architectural gem – A mix of Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Secessionist styles.
✔ Green spaces – More than 40 parks and gardens.
Top 3 Places to Visit in Timișoara
📍 Unirii Square
The most picturesque and colorful square in Timișoara, surrounded by Baroque-style buildings, charming cafés, and historical landmarks.
📍 Victory Square & The Metropolitan Cathedral
The heart of the city, home to the impressive Orthodox Cathedral and the National Opera House, where Romania’s 1989 revolution began.
📍 Bega River Promenade
A perfect spot for a relaxing walk, with bike lanes, boat rides, and cozy terraces along the river.
Accommodation & Stay
For the convenience of our participants, we recommend staying in centrally located hotels that offer easy access to the conference venue and the city’s main attractions. Below are some recommended options:
🏨 Mercure Timișoara
A modern 4-star hotel, part of the Accor international chain, featuring comfortable rooms, excellent facilities, and a stylish atmosphere. A great option for business travelers and conference attendees.
Book
🏨 Timișoara Hotel
A 4-star hotel located in the city center, offering modern rooms, excellent services, and easy access to conference venues and main attractions. Ideal for both business and leisure travelers.
Book
🏨 Ibis Timișoara City Center
Modern hotel with clean rooms and top facilities, including a stylish breakfast area and restaurant. Convenient location near city center and train station. Offers excellent service and good value.
bookConference Venue
The conference will take place at the University of Life Sciences „King Mihai I of Romania”, a leading academic institution in Romania. The university is renowned for its strong research programs, academic excellence, and collaboration with international institutions. It provides a modern conference space, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring a professional and comfortable experience for all participants.
📍 University of Life Sciences „King Mihai I of Romania”
📍 Calea Aradului 119
📍 Timișoara, Romania
