We salute the debate initiated at the level of the “platform” for an academic and civic dialog structured for a common understanding walking on the “Path towards freedom. From sensory knowledge to trans-knowledge” proposed – with wisdom, responsibility and commitment for the destiny of human society – by Professor Vasile Stănescu, Honorary Member of the Romanian Academy.
We are convinced that, as we walk on this road opened to everyone, management structures and organizational arrangements specific to economic higher education allow natural contributions to the development of this „platform” for interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary dialogue, that also considers the following aspects:
“scientific research (superior form of socializing) is one of the determining factors of historical development, of the transition from industrial civilization to invisible civilization; the major paradox that dominates human society, putting face to face the amazing achievements of science with today‘s state of the world; economics, as a social science, comes from the reality lived in the social, from the social reality, of social life; the concept of human action assumes the determining role of human in a horizon of particular reality: economic dimension, characterized by economic values regarded as values-means in considering the fulfillment of goal values and final values, in order to satisfy social-human and environmental needs; the economic factor, after the natural one, has a very special role in what concerns human civilization; active role of economic policy as superstructural element to the economic base comes from the fact that economic policy works in all spheres of social reproduction; we are witnessing an integrative education, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, of trans valuation of sciences, characteristic that became a constant characteristic in the process of scientific research, trans valuation that configures as a feature of a new paradigm of contemporary science; profound changes in the economic base carry with them the seeds of superstructural change (ideological, political, legal, philosophical) … capitalism… recording a new phase, integrated, transnational and of consume, which drives the whole planet; interdisciplinarity, continuous education, the curricula of university disciplines are in a continuous dependency and interference… the report between interdisciplinarity and Education must therefore be reconsidered; integrative approach – theoretical and methodological – at the level of disciplines becomes not only necessary but also compulsory; the activity of human society is carried out within a complexity of plans: politic, economic and social/civilizational and cultural-spiritual/cognitive and emotional/in an internal environment and an external one/ but also in a cosmic environment, where the fundamental rule is the conservation of the living, amid rationality, order and harmony; globalization no longer appears as a superior form of socializing and generalization of democracy, but a hybrid between centralization and decentralization, integration (mixing) and fragmentation, opulence and starvation, protectionism and exploitation, between mega-development and backwardness, trans-knowledge and sensory knowledge, cyberspace and abacus; we are projected by events, waking up trapped in a continuous tension, with the spectrum of risks that float above us and shattered illusions; the public expressed aggressiveness occupies almost integrally the public space, tends to become a general feature of this space, with reverberations in people’s personal lives; mediocrity and corruption, indifference to the common interest, of the public good, is a direct attack to competitiveness, degradation of opportunities and resources, promotion of personal interests; competition has taken a dramatic end, the fight being carried out between values ​​and interests; memory decreased considerably, as well as remembering the makers of history, ancestors, and of major cultural and spiritual values; we easily say good-bye to the past… ignoring the given time and place, laws of evolution, ignoring, in fact, our own history ; we cannot look towards the future without preserving, honoring and valuing the memory of the past, as the only way for continuation; there is a need for strategies and policies in all fields of activity, of a high professionalism and profound morality, of the restoration of the axiological scale, of models and reconsidering values.”

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Vasile Stănescu - Path towards freedom. From sensory knowledge to trans-knowledge, Universul  Juridic Publishing Press, Bucharest, 2014, pp. 13-14, 86-87, 89, 181, 216-217, 262-263, 323, 329-331, 340.

Friday, November 22, 2013, the beautiful historical Aula Magna of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) hosted the celebration of 170 Years of Economic Higher Education in Romania and the 100th Anniversary of the initiation of the First Congress of Romanian Economists. In his opening speech, Professor Pavel NĂSTASE, Rector of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), highlighted from the very beginning the significance of both major events, remembering that on April 6, 2013, the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) celebrated the centennial.

Professor Gheorghe ZAMAN, Vice President of the Economic, Law, and Sociological Sciences Section of the Romanian Academy, President of the General Association of Economists from Romania, AGER, President of the Scientific Council of Romanian Scientific Society of Management, SSMAR, and Chairman of the Group of Experts of the Romanian Distribution Committee, CRD (www.crd-aida.ro/our-team/gheorghe-zaman/ ), widely evoked the contribution of the Romanian economists in solving the crucial problems of the modernization of the Romanian society, underlining the obligations of the professional community in addressing the risks and challenges that the Romanian economy is facing and will have to deal with, knowing that what happened in the past will affect the future. It should be remembered that in June this year our great Friend and inspiring great Economist, a real „design thinker”, the distinguished Professor Gheorghe ZAMAN, will celebrate his 71^st birthday.

Within this remarkable academic historical framework hosted by the Aula Magna of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, the Association of Faculties of Economics in Romania, AFER, launched the Volume with a great theme: “Pages from the Romanian Economic Higher Education History, 1843-2013”.

This anniversary Volume expresses not only the true qualitative teamwork at the level of AFER, but also the fact that AFER: is a powerful forum for discussion of specific problems, identifying best practices in academic education and research dedicated to promoting national and international reference standards for higher economic education in Romania; has shown consistently strong focus on providing graduates with updated knowledge and practical skills required in the modern workplace, and a framework for their continued development; has constantly stimulated the critical and creative thinking, the ability to find, to access, to evaluate and to use information in order to solve complex problems faced by entrepreneurs aware of the implications of the actions initiated and of the complex decisions in a competitive business environment specific to the relevant markets at the confluence of globalization and integration; is already proving a growing culture of assessment and measurement in education, research and innovation, putting a new emphasis on the economic contribution of higher education to economic and social life and the need to work multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and trans disciplinary.

The Volume “Pages from the Romanian Economic Higher Education History, 1843-2013” was introduced with her well-known professionalism and elegance by Professor Mihaela LUȚAȘ, Vice Rector of the „Babeș-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca, as a great book in the right place and at the right time. Professor Mihaela LUȚAȘ provided a special dimension to this special Volume launch, by adequately building the structure of the presentation, incorporating a powerful message for our Economic Higher Education, and choosing the right passages that the qualified audience wanted to hear.

It is worth to mention that on the occasion of the celebration of 170 years of Economic Higher Education in Romania and the 100th Anniversary of the initiation of the first Congress of Romanian Economists, one of the Editors of the launched Volume, Professor Nicolae ISTUDOR, Vice Rector of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), Executive President of the Association of the Faculties of Economic Sciences, AFER, Honorary Member of SSMAR, and Honorary Member of the Romanian Distribution Committee, CRD, presented the message of AFER.

On the occasion of this significant celebration hosted Friday, November 22, 2013, by the beautiful historical Aula Magna of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), Professor Marin DINU, Secretary General of the General Association of Economists from Romania, AGER, presented:

● the “Diploma of Excellence IN MEMORIAM” with silver commemorative coin “The First Congress of Economists Initiative” awarded to Professor Ion Gh. ROȘCA, Founder of AFER, and First Vice President of AGER (Please see “The Brand Ion Gh. Roşca, a proactive marketer”: www.crd-aida.ro/2013/05/the-awarding-ceremony-of-the-prizes-of-onef-2013-section-marketing/ ), and

● the “Diploma of Excellence” with silver commemorative coin “The First Congress of Economists Initiative” awarded to following personalities from all over our country: Emilian DOBRESCU; Iulian VĂCĂREL; Gheorghe ZAMAN;  Pavel NĂSTASE; Ioan TALPOȘ; Constantin MITRUȚ; Daniela VULCAN; Nicolae ISTUDOR; Marin DINU; Marilen  PIRTEA; Vasile IȘAN; Robert NEGOIȚĂ; Ioan ERHAN; Cristian SOCOL; Mihaela LUȚAȘ; Cornel IONESCU; Tudorel ANDREI; Constantin ANGHELACHE; Gabriela ȚIGU; Răzvan ZAHARIA; Ovidiu Octavian MEGAN; Constantin ROȘCA; Marian SIMINICĂ; Ovidiu FOLCUȚ; Dinu AIRINEI; Vergil VOINEAGU; Ion SMEUREANU; Dan CRUCERU; Gabriela ANGHELACHE; Constantin BOȘTINĂ; Mihai ANGHEL; Ionuț NEGOIȚĂ; Bogdan Ioan COJOCEA; Teodor BRATEȘ; Carmen ȚĂRANU; Alexandru MANOLE; Mădălina Gabriela ANGHEL.

We have the pleasure to honoring excellence in Marketing teaching and effective Marketing science application in business practice on the special occasion of the 10^th Anniversary of  the Faculty of Marketing, the Bucharest University of Economics. Created in the academic year 2003/2004, the Faculty of Marketing materialized the experience acquired by the Department of Marketing within the Bucharest University of Economics. It is well-known that the year 2011 marked the 40th anniversary of introducing Marketing Education in Romania, and within that context we took the special opportunity to outline both, the unique historic role that the Marketing Department of the Bucharest University of Economics has played in the introduction and developing of Marketing Education in Romania, and the Contribution brought in the last eight years to recognizing Marketing as a distinct Academic Specialization, in providing a first-class Marketing Educational Environment and direct access for businesses to qualified labour, which led to a considerable impact on the Economic and Social Field ( www.crd-aida.ro/2011/12/40th-anniversary-introducing-marketing-education-romania-diploma-special-merit-awarded-department-marketing-academy-economic-studies-bucharest-commitment-accountable-marketing/)

The Faculty of Marketing, the Bucharest University of Economics: has used consequently the scientific method for advancing Marketing knowledge and problem solving, ensuring to their Students the right teaching by providing great content in addition to active learning of how to use Marketing analytics to develop insights, to drive decisions, to implement strategies, and to evaluate actions; did and is continuing doing something relevant to business practice, by applying adequate marketing science models and methods to business problems on the relevant markets. The Faculty of Marketing, the Bucharest University of Economics, has constantly pledged that in the today’s highly competitive Marketing landscape, successful Marketers must understand the trends and also look beyond them, help overwhelmed Customers and Prospects cut through the clutter around them while interacting with brands in the digital and physical worlds, consider social media marketing, personalization and targeting, automation as a key for maximizing conversions throughout a customer’s lifecycle, creativity and innovation in marketing programs, digital advertising, cross-channel marketing, emerging technologies and the rapidly adoption by the customers of the new technologies and incorporation into the everyday live, and adequately measure ROI and prove marketing’s worth at different companies on different relevant markets.

The just released McKinsey Global Institute (MGI is the business and economics research arm of McKinsey & Company; it combines the disciplines of economics and management, employing the analytical tools of economics with the insights of business leaders; it’s “micro-to-macro” methodology examines microeconomic industry trends to better understand the broad macroeconomic forces affecting business strategy and public policy) report (part of a large body of MGI research on the US economy) sifted through a wide range of ideas that could catalyze US economic growth before zeroing in on five “game changers” that can add hundreds of billions of dollars to annual GDP and create millions of new jobs by 2020.  The game changers (different in nature, but mutually reinforcing, and which present opportunities today given changing factor costs, new technologies, and lessons on what policies work) are: shale energy production; enhanced US trade competitiveness in knowledge-intensive goods; the potential for big data analytics to raise productivity within sectors; increased investment in infrastructure, with a new emphasis on its productivity; and new approaches to talent development in both K-12 and post-secondary education. The report examines what it will take to unlock the potential of each game changer and explores the implications for both business leaders and policy makers.

We noted with pleasure that in the “Preface” signed by Richard Dobbs Director (McKinsey Global Institute Seoul), and James Manyika (Director, McKinsey Global Institute San Francisco), in July 2013, it was specified that the project team managed by Sreenivas Ramaswamy also included Marc Sorel, the son of our distinguished collaborator Professor Eliot Sorel (http://www.sanabuna.ro/speakers/eliotsorel/ )

Of keen interest to us is also the link between this MGI report’s items on new approaches to talent development in both K-12 and post-secondary education, and enhanced competitiveness in knowledge- intensive goods with our Bucharest Consensus on Higher Education that Professor Eliot Sorel developed in 2010 and updated in 2012: http://www.sanabuna.ro/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bucharest-Consensus-Oct-2010-ES.pdf

The Awarding Ceremony of the Prizes of the National Students Studying Economics and Business Competition, Section: Marketing – ONEF 2013, took place Friday, May 24, in Aula Magna of the University of Oradea. The prizes were awarded by Professors Nicolae Istudor – Executive President of the Association of the Faculties of Economic Sciences (http://www.afer.ase.ro), AFER (Vice Rector of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies – ASE, and Honorary Member of SSMAR), Adriana Giurgiu – Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Oradea (Chairperson of the International Conference “European Integration – New Challenges”, 9^th edition of EINCO), and Theodor Valentin Purcărea – Honorary President of the ONEF 2013, Section: Marketing (President of the Romanian Distribution Committee, Professor at the Romanian-American University, and President of the Executive College of SSMAR).

The Members of the Presidium (from left to right) were Professors: Constantin Roşca, Executive Director of AFER (and President of SSMAR), Theodor Valentin Purcărea – Honorary President of the ONEF 2013, Section: Marketing, and President of the Jury, Gheorghe Zaman, Corresponding Member of the Romanian Academy, President of AGER, and Director of the Institute of National Economy, Romanian Academy (Member of the Board and Chairman of the Group of Experts of the Romanian Distribution Committee: https://www.crd-aida.ro/our-team/gheorghe-zaman/ ), Adriana Giurgiu, Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Oradea, Constantin Bungău, Rector of the University of Oradea (Who gave the Welcome speech), Nicolae Istudor, Executive President of AFER, Valentina Vasile, Deputy-Director of the Institute of National Economy, Romanian Academy, Mihai Berinde, Director of the Center for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development of the University of Oradea, Maria-Madela Abrudan, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Oradea and Coordinator of the ONEF 2013, Section: Marketing,  Dorin-Cristian Coita, Director of the Department of Management-Marketing of the Faculty of Economic Science of the University of Oradea, and President of the Organizing Committee of the ONEF 2013, Section: Marketing.

At the Opening Ceremony of the ONEF 2013, Section: Marketing, the Honorary President, Theodor Valentin Purcărea, gave a speech on: “The Brand Ion Gh. Roşca, a proactive marketer”, highlighting the Lesson given by Professor Ion Gh. Roşca – the Promoter and the Founder of AFER – concerning the academic progress, a real lesson on marketing innovation. Professor Ion Gh. Roşca was constantly trying to build the right road map to sustainable academic growth, while basing the AFER’s strategic goals on both internal and external knowledge, insight and in-depth analysis, on a full understanding of the specific market and the student’s needs. He proved to be a real cultural architect whose influence considerably impacted the conversational culture at the level of the Faculties of Economic Sciences in Romania, keeping all of them well-informed, student-focused in the process of creating value for the student, educating him, communicating with, motivating him about the AFER Members’ services, and best promoting AFER features and benefits which the academic services provide to AFER student. Professor Ion Gh. Roşca constantly pledged for both, on one hand, the right interaction with AFER Members, and with prospects and students (the proper balance between the “right list”, the “offer”, and  the “creative execution” in the continuous “AFER campaign”, using multiple contacts through multiple mediums, having clear goals for key metrics and establishing the right action plans for making AFER goals come to fruition), and on the other hand, to responsibly and accountably teaching students to adequately apply what they have learned in their marketing courses in approaching the competitive job market and obtaining not only their first job, but also increased financial gains, and greater overall job satisfaction.

No wonder that all the participants at ONEF 2013, Section: Marketing proved to be at the level of the founder’s proactive marketing vision, making very difficult for the Jury to finally decide the Winners. But the Olympic spirit, as a special attitude, prevailed, by inspiring participants believing in their abilities to improve, considering that the most important thing is the struggle, and that the essential thing is to have fought well.

All the participants were impressed by the quality of the organization, the team spirit and collegial atmosphere confirming that excellence in leadership means that people have confidence in themselves. Paraphrasing Mark Twain, we can say that all the participants at ONEF 2013 Section: Marketing felt good, by giving themselves their own approval to feel comfortable.
It is also worth to mention that, for the participants at ONEF 2013, Section: Marketing, the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Oradea organized – in partnership with The Leadership Institute USA and The Leadership Institute Romania – a Training Module on “Transformational Leadership. The Science of Success” ensured by Miguel Angel Moreno, Director of International and Government Programs at The Leadership Institute USA.