Following a series of webinars held by Their Excellencies, Ambassadors of Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and Thailand to Romania, and co-hosted, based on their bilateral agreement of cooperation, by the Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies (IRSEA) and Faculty of International Business and Economics (REI) in the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica* presented to the Ambassadors with institutional Certificates of Excellence, “in recognition of their valuable contribution to the academic achievements and economic diplomacy development in the academic community of Romania”.

The individual handing over ceremonies of the Certificates of Excellence took place in the second half of July 2021 at the Embassies of Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Pakistan respectively. IRSEA’s President was received by His Excellency Mr. Hiroshi Ueda, Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Mr. Chairat Porntipwarawet, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Amhar Azeth, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia and His Excellency Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The special occasion was warmly and unanimously welcomed by the Ambassadors, who manifested their appreciation for the academic value and awareness raising dimension of the initiative. At the same time, Their Excellencies, the Four Ambassadors of Asian countries to Romania reiterated their willingness to further support similar academic events.

One of the most important topics of the discussions was the enhancing the bilateral collaboration between IRSEA and similar think thanks and higher education institutions from the respective country.

Ambassador (p) Savuica showcased, as well, the success of the webinars in raising awareness on the importance posed by Europe for Asia, as well as the opportunities presented to Europe in Asia. In this regard, he praised the significance of the lectures in introducing the audience – primarily postgraduate students of ASE – to the field of Asian studies from a diplomatic perspective.

After his retirement from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador (p) Savuica has dedicated his experience and expertise to establish IRSEA, as a source of inspiration and formative institution for junior scholars and young professionals dedicated to a more robust cooperation between Europe and Asia. As the oldest Romanian think-tank dedicated to Asian Area Studies and Europe-Asia cooperation, IRSEA enjoys numerous partnerships with valuable academic stakeholders in Romania, Europe and Asia.

As one of the most valued partners of IRSEA, REI of ASE is highly regarded as a reference model in the Romanian and European academic community and an academic space that fully supports and nurtures quality education and research. With an academic curriculum based on an innovative learning approach, REI, having Prof. Gheorghe Hurduzeu, PhD, as Dean, continues to train highly local and international performing graduates fit for a global, dynamic environment.

With a long history of joint academic initiatives, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2010, IRSEA and REI have co-hosted numerous conferences, round-table discussions and guest lectures on Asia-Europe-related topics. IRSEA’s President, Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica, is also a member of the Consultative Council of ASE. One of the most recent joint initiatives hosted H.E. Rahul Shrivastava, Ambassador of India, who held a webinar for the postgraduate students of the Bucharest University of Economic Students (ASE).The Indian Ambassador offered a comprehensive presentation of India’s Foreign Policy and the evolution of India’s diplomatic relations with Romania.

The co-host of the webinar, Prof. Anca Ilie, PhD, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of International Business and Economics (REI) of ASE, similarly showed her utmost appreciation for the dedicated contribution of Their Excellencies Ambassadors of Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and Thailand to Romania in raising awareness on Asia, in general, and Asian economic diplomacy, in particular, among the students of ASE and followers of IRSEA. One of the most prominent figures in the Romanian academia, Prof. Dr. Anca Ilie’s commitment and dedication to promoting the excellent Europe-Asia relations have gone a long way into raising awareness on Asia’s role in the global community, in general, and ASEAN’s constant growth and consolidation as a regional organisation, in particular.

As the pandemic-related restrictions are gradually easing, IRSEA looks forward to organizing further academic activities and events in cooperation with Asian institutions, ASEAN-related organizations, and its academic partners following the commencement of the new academic year in September 2021.

* One of Romania's longest serving career diplomats, former Head of the Mission, in his capacity as Charge d’Affaires a.i., with Cabinet Letter, to Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines later as Ambassador to Pakistan and Indonesia , and former Director-General of the Asia-Pacific, Near and Middle East, Africa and Latin America Department of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica authored multiple edited volumes and op-eds. Following his relentless activity in the Romanian Academia, Ambassador (p) Savuica was awarded the “Grigore Gafencu” Prize by the Academy of Romanian Scientists.