The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest (UNSTPB), formerly known as University Politehnica of Bucharest (UPB), stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation in the fields of education and research, both nationally and internationally. UNSTPB offers a wide range of programs in various fields: computer science, chemistry, transport, environmental engineering, industrial and robotics engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, telecommunications, applied sciences, medical engineering, biotechnical systems, entrepreneurship, and business management, etc. Through its educational offerings and with a strong focus on student-centered learning, UNSTPB trains engineers capable of adapting to the demands of the market economy and new technologies. The university has numerous research centers, institutes, and laboratories that promote interdisciplinary collaboration and generate discoveries in different fields. Researchers and students engage in cutting-edge research, contributing to advances in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, and more. The university actively collaborates with institutions around the world, facilitating student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, and international conferences. The university prioritizes students by providing support services that include academic advising, career counseling, and extracurricular opportunities. This holistic approach to education ensures that students not only excel in their studies but also develop the skills and confidence needed to successfully navigate their professional and personal lives.

UNSTPB aims to build a learning framework that guides future practitioners (students, teachers, researchers) made under the umbrella of the Third Academic Mission Strategies. This system can be greatly improved through increased cooperation between academic and local communities. At the heart of UNSTPB’s goals is the intent to create tools and strategies that promote service learning, academic civic engagement, public engagement, open science, open innovation, and the integrative approach to service learning. The Tenacity Project embraces a spirit of collaboration and a firm commitment to achieving impactful change. By bringing together the diverse strengths and passions of its participants, the project envisions a landscape where academia, communities, and businesses collaborate seamlessly for a better future. The combination of diverse perspectives, best practices, and digital tools has the potential to transform the landscape of higher education and the communities it serves.

UNSTPB aims to strengthen relationships with other partners with the aim of collectively designing and developing an innovative set of digital models and tools to enhance the significance of the third academic mission in our knowledge-based society. The experience gained in the consortium will contribute to the improvement of continuous training and the general quality of education and services for students. Through the consortium formed within the project, UNSTPB aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the third academic mission, ensuring that the resulting models and tools are both relevant and effective.

From my point of view, a notable aspect of this project is the desire to collaboratively design and develop innovative models and digital tools to enhance the relevance of the third academic mission in our knowledge-based society. Incorporating various methodologies into the project, from Participatory Action Research to Gamification, is an approach that promises to produce significant results.

UNSTPB aims to integrate the best practices from the textbook into curriculum design. Teachers will be able to use the TENACITY Handbook to develop courses that emphasize academic civic engagement and public engagement. UNSTPB will involve your students and teachers in ADA to foster open dialogue and innovation. ADA will host interactive sessions that encourage collaboration between students, faculty, community members, and industry experts. The e-learning platform and mobile application can become an integral part of the university’s digital infrastructure to provide students and teachers with access to learning resources, interactive modules, and collaboration spaces focused on civic engagement and public participation.