Radio România Internațional

Tag: year

A new academic year begins

Most academic centres in Romania hosted opening ceremonies on Monday. Attending the festivities, alongside students and teaching staff, were also representatives of central and local authorities. There are also universities, such as the National School for Political and Administrative Studies, which open their gates on October 1, as tradition has it.

This year, many high school graduates have chosen business studies, administration and law, engineering, medicine, foreign languages and social assistance studies. The head of the National Alliance of Student Organisations in Romania, Sergiu Covaci, explained that young people’s preferences are quite diverse. In fact, he also explained, the number of youth who choose to go to university is on the rise.

In the capital city Bucharest, among the universities that started classes on Monday are the University of Bucharest, the Polytechnic University and the Academy of Economics. Over 14,000 students started a new academic year at the ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, including around 3,000 freshmen. The new class of medical students is named after ‘Academy Member Ana Aslan’, a notable personality of Romanian and international medicine.

At the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University in Iaşi (east), the academic year begins with record-high admission figures for the past 20 years. The number of applicants was substantially above the number of seats available, and the total number of students admitted here is over 13,000.

Opening ceremonies were also held in military academies around the country, including the ‘Ferdinand I’ Military Technical Academy, the ‘Carol I’ National Defence University in Bucharest, the ‘Henri Coandă’ Air Force Academy in Braşov and the ‘Nicolae Bălcescu’ Land Force Academy in Sibiu (central Romania).

Students will have a two-week break around the winter holidays, between Christmas and the New Year, and the first semester ends in late January-early February. After the exam session, the second semester begins, as usual, in February, with a one-week break for Easter. For most students, the semester will end in late May or early June, when the summer exam session begins. The longest and most eagerly awaited break, following the exam session, spreads the entire summer, until the next academic year begins in October. (AMP)

30 September 2024
A New University Year in Romania

A new university year
kicks off in Romania on Monday with the same old pending issues: school dropout,
underfunded education, the shortage of means and proper equipment.
Accommodation in student hostels is yet another issue under discussion. Many students
have complained about the inappropriate accommodation facilities and preferred to
rent apartments instead.

According to one of the professors,
funds are provided depending on the number of students, so the higher the number
of students the larger the funding a university gets. The measure is forcing universities
that usually don’t have too much choice in terms of funding sources, to allow all
students to pass exams, even those who have a poor level of education. Because
if you eliminate students, you’ll eventually run out of funds.

The Bucharest-based University
of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila this year boasts roughly 13,500 students
and the new generation of students will symbolically
bear all throughout their years of study the name of neurologist Ovidiu
Alexandru Băjenaru, a leading figure of the Romanian and international
medicine. The National University of Polytechnic Science and Technology in
Bucharest will this year have 40 thousand students and 2,000 professors. A
former merger with the University in Pitesti, southern Romania, the institution
kicks off the new university year under a new name, the National University of
Science and Technology.

The 2023-2024 university year is also
a new chapter in the life of the National University of Theatrical Art and
Cinematography IL. Caragiale also known as UNATC, a new stage in its
development as a higher education institution.

This moment marks the opportunity to reflect
on its objectives and values, to focus on attaining excellence, to celebrate
diversity and the contribution of every community member, a UNATC communiqué says.

A new university year has also
started for the higher military education institutions such as the Military
Technical Academy ‘Ferdinand I’ also in Bucharest. The
institution has over 1,000 students, out of which 300 freshmen.

The Polytechnic Institute
was the most sought after university this year followed by the Faculty of
Automation and Computers and of course the Medicine University Carol Davila. At
present Romania boasts 53 accredited state universities and 33 private ones but
the number of students drops every year as many high-school graduates go to
study abroad. We must not forget though that between 2010 and 2021, the
education law has got 117 amendments in a system known for its lack of
coherence and consistency. And in terms of education funding, Romania lags
behind almost all the other European countries. This year, Romania’s education
system has been allotted 3.2% of the GDP, an extremely low amount, which is
unable to satisfy its present needs.

(bill)

2 October 2023
Athletes of the Year 2021

The Tokyo Olympics were the most
important sports event of the year 2021. Although held one year later than
scheduled, the competitions were by no means less spectacular. New records were
set, new champions emerged, while some of the old ones reconfirmed their worth.

In Tokyo, Romania’s delegation went
up on the Olympic podium 4 times, with rowing occasioning 3 of these instances.
The most valuable medals were won by the women’s double sculls team made up of Simona
Radiș and Ancuța Bodnar, winners of the Olympic gold. Silver medals went to Mihăiţă
Ţigănescu, Mugurel Semciuc, Ştefan Berariu and Cosmin Pascari in the men’s coxless
four event, and to Ciprian Tudosă and Marius Cozmiuc for the coxless pair event.

The only individual medal was won in
fencing, where veteran Ana-Maria Popescu won the silver in the epee final.

Thanks to these performances, Radio
Romania International designates Olympic champions Ancuţa Bodnar and Simona
Radiş as Athletes of the Year 2021.

In the double sculls final, Bodnar and
Radiş won by a comfortable margin, after having led the race from beginning to
the end. Second came the rowers of New Zealand and the Netherlands. The Romanian
team finished in 6:41:03, a new Olympic record over 3 seconds better than the
previous one, set in London in 2012 by Britain’s team.

Ancuţa Bodnar was born on 25th September 1998, in
the village of Vatra Moldoviţei in Suceava County (north). She races for the
Bucharest club Dinamo. Simona Radiş is a few months younger: born on 5th
April 1999, in Botoşani (also in the north), and a member of the rival club,
Steaua Bucharest.

The 2 athletes have been part of the same double sculls team
since 2019. Their first major performance was recorded in the same year, in
early June-the silver medal in the European Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Later that year, in September, in Linz, they won the silver in the World
Championships.

The next major competition was the 2020 European Championship in
Poznan, Poland, followed by the 2021 European Championship in Varese, Italy, in
which Ancuţa Bodnar and Simona Radiş won the gold. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

29 December 2021
Personality of the year on Radio Romania International

Dear friends Radio Romania International has carried on its traditional opinion poll among its listeners, Internet and social network users about the person who had the most positive impact in the world in 2020.

As expected this time it was not Personality of the Year but People of the Year on Radio Romania International as medical workers the world over have been designated the worlds best citizens for being in the frontline against the Covid-19 pandemic, which has significantly impacted the life of the entire planet.

Here are some of those who have designated medical workers as People of the Year on Radio Romania International: David Iurescia of Argentine, Teruhiko Kachi of Japan, Javier González Nungaray of Mexico or Miodrag Ristici of Serbia, who said:

“Medical workers have been in the frontline since the onset of the pandemic. Their commitment has been helping all those suffering from Covid-19 infection saving many lives and preventing many patients from getting more severe forms and going to hospitals. Unfortunately, many of them got infected in the fight against this evil disease and some even died. By all means the Personality of the Year title should go to them”.

“People of the year 2020″ are the victims of the novel coronavirus and their close ones, who in most of the cases were unable to bid a final farewell”, says the RRI listener Giovanni Frassinetti of Italy.

Other nominees included the two German scientists of Turkish extraction Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci, founders of the BioNTech laboratories, the famous American physician and immunologist Anthony Fauci, the Romanian physician Virgil Musta for the early introduction of blood thinners into the treatment of those infected, Italian physician Gino Strada and the volunteers of the humanitarian NGO Emergency, the WHO director Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus, professor John Ioannidis with the Stanford University School of Medicine, and professor Didier Raoult, a French expert in infectious diseases.

Among the political leaders nominated were the US president elect Joe Biden, the incumbent US president Donald Trump, Pope Francis, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the new president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, the Belarussian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, the Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong and the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern.

Among the nominees there were also the late footballer Maradona, actress Kira Hagi, daughter of the former Romanian football talent, Gheorghe Hagi, Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka or the vlogger/YouTuber CSYON for his live transmissions during the pandemics, proposed by Adrian Heinrich, a 9-year old kid from Germany, who is tuning into RRI transmissions together with his 15-year old brother.

1 January 2021
September 14, 2020

COVID-19 The Government of Romania is to extend today for the 4th time the state of alert triggered by the COVID 19 pandemic. The National Committee for Emergency Situations is due to make final proposals on the measures to be implemented. The relevant government order will include measures concerning the local elections due on September 27. PM Ludovic Orban said authorities were considering bigger locations for polling stations and outdoor waiting areas, in order to comply with physical distancing requirements. Meanwhile, the Government is looking at easing some restrictions in the forthcoming period. The state of alert was introduced on May 15, after a 2-month state of emergency. The total number of coronavirus infections in Romania is over 104,000, with the death toll standing at 4,185.

SCHOOLS An atypical school year has begun in Romania today, with special coronavirus protection measures in place. Education is a vital prerequisite for a civilised society, and children are returning to schools with one more lesson to learn—how to take care of ones health and of the health of others, said PM Ludovic Orban in a message on this occasion. He warned that the danger posed by the disease is not over and that the new school year is a challenge for children, their families, teachers and authorities.

DIPLOMACY The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu had telephone talks with his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, following the political consultations held during his visit to Israel this month. According to the Foreign Ministry, the 2 officials reviewed the preparations for a new joint government meeting due next year. They also looked at the arrangements for the set up of a new expert group preparing the meeting, which will focus on mutually relevant topics like agriculture, water management, IT, cyber security and AI. The talk also occasioned an exchange of opinions on the Middle East peace process. “Romania supports the resolution of this problem based on international law and on the 2-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living next to each other in peace and prosperity, the Romanian foreign minister said. On September 2-3, minister Aurescu discussed with high-level political officials both in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and in Ramallah.

PANDEMIC Many countries are reintroducing lockdowns in the context of a so-called “second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation Sunday reported nearly 308,000 new infections for the last 24 hours, a new global record, Reuters reports. The most significant increases were in India, the USA and Brazil. The total number of cases worldwide is nearing 29.2 million, and the number of COVID-related deaths is 928,000. Israel reintroduced a 3-week lockdown in a move to contain the new wave. Strict restrictions regarding groups larger than 6 people have come into force in the UK today. And also as of Monday, face masks, already compulsory in supermarkets and public transportation, must be worn in all public buildings and shops in Austria.

BELARUS The president of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has a meeting in Russia today with his counterpart Vladimir Putin. This is the first meeting of the 2 officials since the start of large-scale anti-presidential protests in Minsk. Russia sent troops to Belarus to take part in joint military exercises. Scheduled to last until September 25, the drills take place amid extensive protests in Belarus following the August presidential election. The ballot was won by Lukashenko, but the opposition claims the election was rigged. Western countries have asked for a new election. On Sunday, tens of thousands took to the streets once again, across the country, asking for the resignation of Belaruss strongman of 26 years, largely seen as the last dictator in Europe.

TENNIS The Romanian player Patricia Ţig won the first WTA title in her career on Sunday, in the tournament in Istanbul. She defeated Canadas Eugenie Bouchard, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) in the final, after a dramatic match. For Ţig (26, no 88 WTA), this was the 3rd WTA final, after the ones in Baku (2015) and Bucharest (2019). The Romanian player has also won the 2019 tournament in Karlsruhe. Meanwhile, the Romanian Irina Begu has qualified into the main group of the Rome tournament. She beat the German Anna-Lena Friedsam, 6-1, 6-1 in the qualifying round 2. Simona Halep is also seed no 1 in this tournament. She is to take on the winner of the match pitting Latvian Anastasija Sevastova against the Italian Jasmine Paolini. The Rome tournament begins today.

(translated by: A.M. Popescu)

14 September 2020
December 31, 2019

MESSAGE “2019 brought the victory of democracy and civil participation, when we proved that we are a nation that stands by shared values and ideals, the president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, says in his New Years message. The head of state voices confidence that in 2020 Romanians will stay motivated by their dream of a better country. He called for the building of a normal Romania, a country that is truly the home of Romanians, wherever they may be. “We are entering a new year and a new decade, which I would also like to be the beginning of a period of normality and true democracy for Romania, PM Ludovic Orban said in his own New Years message. He urges Romanians to view what they have left behind as a lesson about what needs to be done in order to make true the dream of freedom, democracy and prosperity that mobilised people 30 years ago to fight against totalitarianism.

INVESTIGATION Romanian authorities carry on inquiries and checks regarding the incident at the Floreasca Hospital in Bucharest, the largest emergency unit in the country. The National Healthcare Quality Management Authority Monday suspended the accreditation of the hospital, which failed to report within 24 hours an incident in which a 66-year old patient was burnt on the operating room table. The woman died, and the Bucharest Police is currently investigating suspicions of manslaughter. The Board of Physicians and the Healthcare Ministry are running separate investigations, with the conclusions due to be presented early next week. Meanwhile, the hospital has to address the deficiencies that have led to the unfortunate event. Although the accreditation has been suspended, Floreasca Emergency Hospital in Bucharest operates as usual.

NEW YEARS EVE In Romania, New Year traditions are still preserved in many regions. Children go carolling in the first part of the day, with songs and dances that usually describe the successive stages of farm work. The custom also includes folk performances by groups of youth or adults, where each member has a part, a role and various stage props. On the other hand, the hits of the 1980s and 1990s will be played live at the biggest outdoor New Years party in Bucharest, ‘Disco Night. This years concert has been inspired by the energy and exuberance of the disco movement. During the 6-hour party, songs that have defined entire generations will be played by international and Romanian musicians, including O-Zone, Haddaway, and the American rapper Turbo B., and Milli Vanilli Experience. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks show.

SAFETY Over 21,000 Interior Ministry employees are on duty every day in Romania to ensure citizen safety during the winter holidays. Special attention is paid to preventing serious accidents and to streamlining road traffic to the most popular tourist resorts. Up to 1,400 road police are on duty on the most circulated thoroughfares, with around 300 radar speed guns, to safeguard the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Nearly 9,600 police and gendarmes are also patrolling the busiest areas, especially fairs and shopping centres, and the sites of large outdoor public events.

TOURISM Over 1.7 million tourist arrivals were reported in Bucharest in the first 10 months of the year, according to the National Statistics Institute. The largest number, 196,410, was reported in September. Most tourists (94.7% of the total, accounting for 1.63 million people), checked in in hotels. The number of overnight stays in Bucharest was 2.99 million, with the biggest number reported for October. According to the National Statistics Institute, arrivals in accommodation facilities at national level totalled 11.531 million in the first 10 months of this year, up 4.1% compared to the corresponding period of last year.

AVALANCHE A record 200 mountain accidents have been reported over the past 10 days in Romania, with avalanche risks still high in many parts of the country, particularly in the southern massifs of Făgăraş and Bucegi. Last month 2 people were caught under an avalanche in Făgăraş. Mountain rescue teams urge tourists not to attempt routes that have been closed for safety, and to be very careful in planning their hikes so as to be indoors by nightfall.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

31 December 2019
September 9, 2019

SCHOOL Nearly 3 million school and kindergarten children in Romania have today started the 2019-2020 school year. According to a news release issued by the National Education Ministry, over 215,000 educators will be teaching this year, during 35 weeks structured into 2 semesters. Attending the official opening in Bucharest, President Klaus Iohannis spoke about the failure of public education policies. In turn, PM Viorica Dăncilă, said in Hunedoara, in the south-west of the country, that education is vital to overcoming poverty.

GOVERNMENT The Government of Romania convenes today to discuss a number of draft resolutions. One of them concerns the minimum amount of performance, merit, education and social scholarships to be granted in public undergraduate schools during the new academic year. The agenda of the Cabinet also includes an assessment of the technical and economic performance indicators for the investment in the Cluj Napoca Regional Emergency Hospital, a project benefiting from EU funding, as well as a memorandum on the Government debt management strategy for the coming 3 years.

FESTIVAL The George Enescu International Festival continues today in Bucharest. The American soprano Laura Aikin will perform George Enescus Seven Songs on lyrics by Clément Marot, by George Enescu, together with Dresden Staatskapelle. The capital city will also host a concert entitled From Classical to Jazz, with first performances inspired by George Enescus Rhapsody no I and II. Singer Teodora Enache will be joined by Călin Grigoriu on guitar, Joca Perpignan (Israel) on percussion and Răzvan Suma on the cello. The central theme of this years edition is “The world in harmony, and the artistic director is Vladimir Jurowski. Until September 22, Bucharest and 10 other cities in Romania, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and the Rep. of Moldova, will host performances associated to the Festival. Radio Romania has been a co-producer of the event ever since its first edition, in 1958.

NAVY King Ferdinand Frigate, the military vessel with the biggest number of first performances in the post-communist history of the Romanian Naval Forces, celebrates today 15 years of service within the Romanian navy. During this time, the vessel sailed thousands of miles in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean and 8 seas, and took part in hundreds of missions and exercises. It is the Romanian ship that took part in the first NATO combat mission since WW2, off the Libyan coast in 2011, and in combat missions against piracy in the Indian Ocean in 2012. In October the frigate takes part in NATOs multinational exercise Sea Guardian.

FOOTBALL Romanias national team Sunday defeated Malta, 1-0, in Group F of the European Football Championship preliminaries. In the same group, Sweden and Norway drew 1-1, while Spain defeated the Faroe Islands, 4-0. Spain tops the group with 18 points, followed by Sweden with 11, Romania – 10, Norway – 9, Malta – 3 and Faroe Islands with no points. Romanias next matches are scheduled on October 12 against the Faroe Islands away from home, and on October 15 at home against Norway. The top 2 teams in the group will move forward to the final tournament. The draw for Euro 2020 will take place in Bucharest on November 30. Romania will also host 4 matches in the final tournament, 3 in the group stage and one in the eighth-finals.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

9 September 2019