Târgu Jiu, 30 October 2026
On 30 October 2026, Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu (UCB) hosted the closing day of the 2nd ACE²-EU Annual Congress. The day brought together the results of a week of work, recognised the contributions of students and staff, and set the direction for the alliance’s third year. It followed the Congress theme, “From Formation to Impact and a Sustainable Future.”
Morning: final presentations and reflection
The day began with parallel working sessions. The four international programmes hosted at UCB held their final presentations, each in its own room. Two Applied Blended Challenge programmes presented their work: Circular Economy and Fake News and Social Impact. They were joined by the Flavour School Agritourism, Local Traditions and Impact in the Communities and the Blended Intensive Programme Shaping Europe’s Future Together. Student teams presented the projects they had developed during the week, and the best projects were selected.
At the same time, the UCB Amphitheatre hosted a Reflection Moment for Congress participants. Students screened the videos and creative outputs they had produced during the week, which were then put to a vote. They also presented their work on Micro-Learning Outcomes (MLOs). In parallel, the Strategy Steering Group held its final working session. The Student, Staff and External Stakeholder Advisory Boards finalised their recommendations for the closing session
The Official Ceremony
At 11:00, the Official Ceremony opened to external guests, regional authorities and the media in the UCB Rectorate Amphitheatre. The Rector of UCB, Professor Luminița Georgeta Popescu, and the ACE²-EU Alliance Coordinator, Professor João Moutão, opened the ceremony. Their remarks focused on the regional commitment to European education and on the local impact of the Alliance.
The programme gave a central place to students. Student teams presented the outcomes and experiences of their Micro-Learning activities. Students from the partner institutions then brought performances from the Kaleidoscope Culture Festival, “100 Voices. One Future,” to the stage, with cultural and musical interludes throughout the ceremony.
The three Advisory Boards then presented their responses. The Student Advisory Board and the Staff Advisory Board shared their recommendations for Year 3. The External Stakeholder Advisory Board presented its interregional framework and Declaration of Intent.
The ACE GALA awards session recognised the best Kaleidoscope Culture Festival outstanding contributions from students and staff.
The ceremony ended with the formal handover of the Congress baton from the Rector of UCB to the Latvian Academy of Culture, host of the 3rd ACE²-EU Annual Congress. Professor João Moutão then gave the closing remarks, launching the Year 3 Vision and the Alliance Sustainability Pledge.
Afternoon and evening. The day closed in the UCB Amphitheatre with a Classic Music Show and Grand Closing.
More than a project
The final day brought both the satisfaction of a week of achievements and the sadness of its end. It also confirmed what defines ACE²-EU. The Alliance is not measured only through indicators, but through the value it creates for each of its members: students, staff and stakeholders. What unites the partner institutions is a shared commitment to growth, and the most valuable resource on this path is the community of people who build it together. ACE²-EU is, above all, an alliance of friends.
Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu thanks all participants, speakers, teachers, students, volunteers and partners who made this day and this week possible.
