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The successful implementation of the project An Integrated system for the Complex Environmental Research and Monitoring in the area of River Danube, REXDAN, contract no. 309/10.07.2020, SMIS code 2014+: 127065, project co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund through the Competitiveness Operational Program 2014-2020, whose direct beneficiary is the "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati was celebrated on Friday, December 15, 2023 , by organizing, in the Europa Hall of the Ibis Style Hotel in Galati, the project closing conference.

The main result of this project is represented by the REXDAN Research Infrastructure (RI) with its 2 main components, the research vessel and the research center dedicated to research excellence in the field of Energy, environment, climate change.

The conference benefited from the presence of special guests, representatives of partner institutions in the research activities carried out and in progress within REXDAN RI and members of the management and implementation teams of the project.

The event was opened by Prof. Dr. habil. Cătălina Iticescu, the project manager, who presented the most relevant aspects related to the writing and implementation of the project and Prof. Dr. Puiu Lucian Goergescu, Rector of "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galați, who emphasized the importance of the project, at the regional and national levels as well as at the European level.

The detailed presentation of the activities implemented within the project with everything they entailed from the administrative and financial points of view and the results obtained was made by Prof. Dr. Mirela Voiculescu, special attention being paid to achieving and, in certain cases, exceeding the general and specific indicators of the project.

The second part of the conference was dedicated to the presentation of the 18 laboratories within REXDAN RI special attention being paid to the technical characteristics of the most relevant equipment purchased and used within the project and to the results obtained in each of the many targeted research fields.

The end of the conference was reserved for discussions related, on the one hand, to ensuring the sustainability of REXDAN RI by writing and consistently implementing projects and by completing the network of local specialists with international specialists, and, on the other hand, to increasing the visibility of the activities carried out and the results obtained within this infrastructure.

 

 

 

Continuing the active involvement of "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galati (DJUG) in the development of management plans for various protected areas, the Faculty of Sciences and Environment and the REXDAN Research Infrastructure organized, on 10-11 November, 2023, the conference: The Management Plans of Protected Areas in the Context of Sustainable Development. Academic Partisans and Stakeholders.

Held in the Panoramic Hall of the Mercure Hotel and in the Conference Hall of the REXDAN Research Vessel, the conference highlighted the achievements of DJUG in the mamagement of protected areas and provided a favourable working framework in which specialists presented relevant issues related to the conference topic and suggested solutions to improve the present situation.

At the level of "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galati, the POIM project Revision of the Management Plan and the RBDD Regulation, SMIS code 2014+ 123322 has been the most important project focused on the management of protected areas, the role of DJUG being that of ensuring the mapping of the habitats of pre-landic areas and the overall and detailed review of the species and habitats which are both relevant for the community and characterized by a high degree of vulnerability.

 

The REXDAN Research Center within "Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați participated in a significant study on plastic pollution of the Danube in Romania. Carried out in collaboration with the associations "Mai Mult Verde" and "Global Water Partnership Romania" within the program "Cu Ape Curate" supported by Lidl Romania, the study revealed that almost 100 tons of plastic are brought annually by the waters of the Danube to the territory of Romania.

The study, the most extensive of this type in Romania, was carried out between 2022 and 2023, during five seasons, with 14 sampling campaigns (135 samples) carried out in three sections along the Romanian Danube, respectively Moldova Noua, Gruia and Isaccea.

Designed to support government organizations and the research community in their efforts to prevent microplastic pollution, the study highlighted the importance of responsible actions for environment protection.

The present study was inspired by a similar research carried out in Austria and conducted by the REXDAN Research Center of ”Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati in partnership with the River Administration of the Lower Danube (AFDJ), the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (INHGA), the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) and ROMEXIM Bucharest.

 

The results of the research activity carried out by the REXDAN Research Infrastructure (RI) members were presented at the International Conference "Modern approaches of the environment - climate change interconnectivity", ENVIROCLIM 2, organized by "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galati on 20-22 September 2023.

Devoted to the dissemination of research results in the field of feedback between environmental processes (water, soil, biodiversity, ecological reconstruction) and climate change, the conference aimed at creating an interdisciplinary vision on environmental processes affected by or contributing to climate change and at creating synergies at national and international levels which allow the efficient use of the latest generation equipment available in REXDAN RI laboratories.

 

On the last day of August, 4 months before the completion of the project "An Integrated System for the Complex Environmental Research and Monitoring in the Danube River area”, REXDAN, SMIS code 127065, the REXDAN research vessel docked in the port of Galați.

Built at ATG Shipyard, Giurgiu, the vessel made its first trip on the Danube (343 km) and anchored home, at the Schengen pontoon owned by the National Company Administration of the Danube Maritime Ports (CNAPDM) Galati, at 2 p.m., on August 31, 2023.

The value of the REXDAN research vessel, which represents the mobile component of the project, is approximately 7.5 million euros, and of the equipment in the related laboratories is 2 million euros.

As stated by the Rector of "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galaţi, Prof. Dr. Eng. Puiu Lucian Georgescu in the speech given to those who welcomed the REXDAN research vessel at the pontoon in front of the Navigation Palace, this is "a unique project, both from the perspective of the professionals working on the vessel, and  of the equipment provided. REXDAN is a vessel which will cover a wide range of research activities in the field of sustainable development. Measurements of environmental factors, biodiversity, water quality, sediment quality, bird activity and ichthyofauna will be made. Moreover, using the specific equipment, the course of the Danube will be scanned so as to make recommendations regarding future works along this river. Relevant educational  and research activities will be carried out on the shore, as well: all the activities on the vessel will be filmed and broadcast both to the general public and to researchers. The vessel will also be used as a mobile campus for other universities in big cities".

The first research trip of the REXDAN research vessel will cover the Romanian sector of the Danube and will bring together young researchers from "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galaţi and from other universities in Romania.

 

 

On the basis of the partnership signed by „Dunarea de Jos” University in Galati (DJUG) and Thai Nguyen University of Education (TNUE) Vietnam in 2021, the TNUE delegation, made up of Dr. Bui Duc Nguyen, TNUE Vice-Rector, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Minh, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages Education, Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Thanh Quy, Dean of the Faculty of Linguistics and Literature, Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the Finance and Planning Department and Dr. Cao Tien Khoa, Director of the Department of Resource and Facilities Management visited, between April 20-25, 2023, a series of objectives relevant for the didactic and research activities carried out within DJUG.

The REXDAN Research Infrastructure (RI) represented a point of interest for the TNUE delegates, their visit to the laboratories of the REXDAN Research Center and the presentation of the REXDAN Research Vessel, providing a clear image of the activities carried out within the REXDAN RI and opening new research opportunities in the field of environmental protection.

 

 

As a recognition of the effort made to strengthen university, scientific, and cultural cooperation between France and Romania, the Rector of "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, prof. dr. eng. Puiu - Lucian Georgescu, was awarded the medal "Ordre des Palmes Académiques" in the rank of Officer by her Excellency, Mrs. Laurence Auer, Ambassador of the French Republic in Romania on April 3, 2023.

The ceremony, organized at the University headquarters, was followed by her Excellency’s visit to the Central University Library and to the REXDAN Research Centre.  The presentation of the laboratories and platforms within in the REXDAN Research Centre, completed by the presentation of the REXDAN Research Vessel, under construction at ATG Giurgiu Shipyard, opened new opportunities for developing partnerships and for joint research projects.

 

 

 

On March 9, 2023, a delegation od "Dunarea de Jos" University in Galati (DJUG) made up of Prof. Dr. Eng. Puiu Lucian Georgescu, Rector, Prof. Dr. Eng. Eugen Rusu, director of the Doctoral Schools within DJUG, prof. Dr. Cătălina Iticescu, director of the Rexdan Research Infrastructure and Assist. Dr. Ec. Stefan Petrea and Dr. Mădălina Călmuc, members of Rexdan Research Center visited BOKU University, Austria, in order to establish relevant partnerships for the common research fields of the 2 institutions.

The BOKU University delegation was made up of Prof. Dr. Eva Schulev-Steindl, Rector, Prof. Dr. Christian Obinger, Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Helmut Habersack, Director of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and River Research, Dr. Günter Langergraber, director of the Department for Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Prof. Dr. Thomas Hein, Director of the Institute of Hydrobiology and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems and Dr. Margarita Calderón-Peter, director of the Office of International Relations at BOKU University.

The presentations of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and River Research (IWA) and the Institute of Hydrobiology and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems (IHG) made by the members of the Austrian delegation, harmoniously combined with those of DJUG and of the Rexdan Research Infrastructure made by the members of DJUG delegation, highlighted the common interests of the 2 institutions and the real possibility for them to collaborate in both the research and didactic activities in the future.

 

On September, 19, 2022 "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galati, together with the European Commission and the European Parliament, organized the Conference "HORIZON EUROPE - Funding Opportunities for Romanian Researchers and Enterprises” an event which proved highly relevant for identifying project oportunities and for establishing valuable research partnereships.

       Designed to facilitate collaboration and to strengthen the impact of research and innovation on the development, support, and implementation of EU policies, whilst considering global challenges, HORIZON EUROPE Conference benefited from the presence of the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel and of the Horizon Europe Rapporteur, Dan Nica, Member of the European Parliament. The list of participants to this event was completed by representatives of the Directorate General for Research and Innovation, of the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFSCDI), of the Ministries of Education, of Research, Innovation and Digitization and of Economy, and by key representatives of universities and research institutes from Romania and of national and regional entrepreneurs.

       For the management and research teams of REXDAN Research Infrasructure, HORIZON EUROPE Conference represented a great oportunity to explore efficient ways of accessing  European funds and grants in research projects together with the representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Research and Innovation DG and of the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding  (UEFSCDI), as well as to promote REXDAN RI among European and Romanian specialists. 

  

On July 10, 2022, 2 years of project implemetation were celebrated for ”An Integrated System for the Complex Environmental Research and Monitoring in the Danube River Area, REXDAN”, SMIS code 127065, project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Program Competitiveness 2014 -2020 (POC). The anniversary was  marked by a special workshop organized at the Conference Center of Ibis Style Dunărea Hotel and in the REXDAN RI headquarters, between July 6-9, 2022.

          The activities designed to promote the project, the REXDAN RI and the results of the research carried out in this infrastructure were complemented by those included in the Workshop "Modern Approaches to Feedback between Environmental Processes and Climate Change", a workshop which offered the opportunity to a series of specialists from Romania to discuss on relevant topics related to the smart specialization field Environment and eco-technologies, the subfield Technologies for environmental management, monitoring and depollution, grouped into 2 sections: 1. Modern methods of analysis for water, soils, sediments, ecology and 2. Air, atmosphere, climate. Remote sensing, GIS, topography.

           Perceived as an interactive interdisciplinary event which brought together Romanian specialists from complementary fields such as soil and water pollution, environmental chemistry, atmospheric sciences, ecology, climatology, urban environment, this workshop proved to be very useful for understanding the feedback between environmental processes and climate changes, as well as relevant for the alignment of research in Romania to that at the European level.

        The plenary speeches and oral presentations with an interdisciplinary character revolved around key topics subsumed to the field of smart specialization Environment and eco-technologies, the subfield Technologies for environmental management, monitoring and depollution, had a highly academic approach and were based on specific theoretical and applied research. The participation of young researchers at this event was remarkable, as they demonstrated a good ability to adapt to the demands of the academic environment and to the needs of our contemporary society.

            Similarly to the other events organized in the framework of REXDAN project, the workshop represented a very good opportunity to promote REXDAN RI and to identify possible collaborations between the REXDAN team (DJUG) and the research teams of some prominent universities and research institutes in the country .

Taking into account the success of this anniversary event, a similar activity, but with the participation of international researchers, is scheduled to take place in July 2023, when 3 years of project implemetation will be celebrated at "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati.