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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Alexandru Carțiș: Higher education needs to broaden its understanding of how it contributes to society Alexandru Carțiș: Higher education needs to broaden its understanding of how it contributes to society ====================================================================================================== 9 Νοεμβρίου 2026 For Alexandru Carțiș, Head of the CIVIS Education Unit, universities should strengthen people’s capacity to assess evidence, exercise judgement, question claims and engage with disagreement. In a world overwhelmed with challenges, how can higher education can keep up? A “small project” ----------------- Alexandru Carțiș, or “Alex from Education”, as anyone in CIVIS knows him, has been a solid rock of the Alliance since its beginnings. Back in 2020, a University of Bucharest junior PhD student, with a background in educational sciences, theology, professional musical arts, arts and culture NGOs, and public service for national public authorities in education was asked if he wanted to be part of a “small European project” Six years and a lot of extraordinary experiences later, Dr. Carțiș reflects on the transformative journey that being part of CIVIS has meant. “*It’s a continuous challenge to grow professionally while CIVIS, and the wider European Universities initiative, are also growing. We are learning while building, often working through questions whose answers are still emerging. This requires considerable faith, enthusiasm and persistence. Many colleagues have invested enormous energy in CIVIS over the years and that collective commitment deserves recognition”.* Studying Higher Education transformation while living it -------------------------------------------------------- In those early CIVIS year, Alexandru Carțiș worked in the project management side as the equivalent of today’s Institutional Coordinator (back then a Deputy Project Manager). He was also involved in the Education work package of the CIVIS1 Erasmus+ project, gaining an understanding of the alliance from different perspective. With the development of the Education Unit within the second phase of CIVIS, **education became the centre of his contribution: working on what universities can develop and deliver together.** A role that fits perfectly with research and teaching duties at the University of Bucharest. ![Alexandru Carțiș, Head of the CIVIS Education Unit](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alexandru-cartis.jpg) > I am entirely CIVIS, I can say. The questions I encounter while 'civising' connect directly with my academic work. My doctoral research explored European higher education transformation through alliances, the European Degree, embedded mobility and micro-credentials. There is a very direct relationship between what I research and what I work on. Alexandru Carțiș, Head of the CIVIS Education Unit It is difficult for Alexandru Carțiș to separate his professional - and personal - development from the alliance’s. CIVIS has provided “the setting *for working with colleagues across universities, developing shared ideas and connecting practical educational work with wider European discussions. The alliance has been part of how the work became possible: through the people involved, their experience, their commitment and the possibility of acting together”.* A rollecoster ride ------------------ Coordinating the Education Unit in CIVIS has not only been about developping specific educational programmes. Alexandru Carțiș’ proudest achievement is [SMARTT](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/civis-alliance-projects/recent-projects/smartt) - the project that tested the European Degree Label criteria and [developed recommendations](https://zenodo.org/records/10899434?utm_source=chatgpt.com) for the European Degree Label and a future Joint European Degree. ![Alexandru Carțiș, Head of the CIVIS Education Unit](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alexandru-cartis.jpg) > An outstanding achievement for CIVIS! What makes this meaningful to me is the connection between educational practice, research and policy: bringing the experience of universities and programmes into the discussions about the future of European higher education. As per the personal pride - it sits within the collective achievement: work developed with colleagues across institutions and alliances Alexandru Carțiș, Head of the CIVIS Education Unit But the sky is not always clear. Eleven member universities bring along as many different points of view, degrees of involvement and interest. *“Sustained leadership engagement matters to me”,* says Dr. Carțiș, *“because the ambition of CIVIS concerns the universities themselves—their priorities, educational practices and future development. And it can feel strange to see the strength of commitment among those working on CIVIS every day alongside what sometimes feels like a greater distance at leadership level. We need to continue to advocate for the vision, as being deeply involved does not remove the need to explain why CIVIS matters and why its ambitions deserve institutional commitment”.* Looking ahead, some things are sure: that the collaboration should never stop, and that there’s a need for evolution. Alongside the development of Artificial Intelligence and rapidly changing labour markets, preparing people for the world comes with helping them understand the transformations around. ![Alexandru Carțiș, Head of the CIVIS Education Unit](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alexandru-cartis.jpg) > I think higher education needs to broaden its understanding of its contribution to society, beyond an emphasis on the hard sciences, conventional research paradigms and established institutional missions. Education, the humanities, social sciences and the arts have essential contributions to make to how societies understand themselves and navigate change Alexandru Carțiș, Head of the CIVIS Education Unit For Dr. Carțiș, universities should actively increase their engagement in society’s ‘everyday life’, beyond education: in culture, the economy, social movements and democratic politics. *“For me, this engagement is closely connected with both society’s future and the future relevance of higher education”.* And universities coming together for common projects (like being part of alliances) is one of the most empowering elements to get there. We don’t say goodbye without: ----------------------------- 1. **The definition of a civizen:** *A believer in CIVIS, more than just a participant in CIVIS: caring about the shared ambition, contributing to it and continuing to advocate for it when the work becomes difficult. Being a civizen involves developing a commitment to the wider endeavour.* 2. **CIVIS in three words:** *Present. Unmistakable. Meaningful.* 3. **A wish for CIVIS:** *That the enthusiasm and conviction that brought CIVIS this far continue to inform its decisions and its everyday work. Keep the dream and vision alive and retain the ambition to be a leading voice for transformation and modernisation in higher education, grounded in a deeper understanding of society and active engagement with it.* - [ ![Click to enlarge](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex7-618x_.jpg?token=4d56aee867dc8570a009d57968a6d3c9) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex7-1600x1600-resize.jpg?token=1f809d4695214615409195ddf94fb990) - [ ![Click to enlarge](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex6-618x_.jpg?token=b7d9305a945107e0a2c2ca8b9cae9a05) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex6-1600x1600-resize.jpg?token=e74c8a95641fd84b2db9c236fe5a71cf) - [ ![Click to enlarge](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex5-618x_.jpg?token=54c95d25d07adaca65d0c17fa93cc2d1) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex5-1600x1600-resize.jpg?token=c2240100ef3d88dcdf4475be1664d679) - [ ![Click to enlarge](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex4-618x_.jpg?token=68c178b246de158b6671ef501f06854b) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex4-1600x1600-resize.jpg?token=59ef82b246643d5a9d79130778ddf8b5) - [ ![Click to enlarge](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex3-618x_.jpg?token=e6a7e569857fc49a0b1d48caf8f689c8) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex3-1600x1600-resize.jpg?token=dabc1943f3f80699943b775c55565294) - [ ![Click to enlarge](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex2-618x_.jpg?token=ea88cda6cdb29e94b8a1de6ef9a51a9c) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex2-1600x1600-resize.jpg?token=5cd86fd16a0af9bf0484bd3bbcb37619) - [ ![Click to enlarge](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex1-618x_.jpg?token=82d92fc1b322bd0102016e331477980a) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/alex1-1600x1600-resize.jpg?token=6589aae99a4dc9875d15b6879b12b593) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/ub1_1-800x600.jpg?token=87d4cd16b1255c0ff21e85de351d0f31)The restauration of the Faculty of History’s building Marks the Opening of the New Academic Year at the University of Bucharest CIVIS Highlights 15 Οκτωβρίου 2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/university-of-bucharest-opened-the-new-academic-year-with-the-inauguration-of-the-restored-faculty-of-history-building) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/laurent-audetat-800x600.jpg?token=1cc0b926783a2aab82f8c7ce4c5eb2b0)From Lausanne to Aix-Marseille: tracing research through the archives People 12 Οκτωβρίου 2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/from-lausanne-to-aix-marseille-tracing-research-through-the-archives) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/nat4dd-team-800x600.jpg?token=19580f3566e7e590a42ea7ae6661cd46)New CIVIS Joint Master’s Programme NAT4DD Earns European Approach Accreditation Study programmes 5 Οκτωβρίου 2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/nat4dd-joint-master-s-programme-earns-aqas-accreditation-marking-a-milestone-for-civis-joint-education) [ Ανακαλύψτε όλες μας τις ιστορίες ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) [ The UAM will build a pioneering residence for students and young researchers ](%20https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/the-uam-will-build-a-pioneering-residence-for-students-and-young-researchers%20) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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