Final Presentations of the Grand Challenges Scholar Program (GCSP)

On July 15, 2024, the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest hosted the final presentations of the projects developed under the prestigious 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 (𝐆𝐂𝐒𝐏). This program, initiated in collaboration with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) of the United States, is implemented in over 90 engineering schools worldwide and is designed to equip students with the skills needed to address global challenges in technology, economy, and society.

The Mission of GCSP at POLITEHNICA Bucharest

POLITEHNICA Bucharest, as a key player in this global initiative, has embraced the responsibility of shaping the next generation of specialists in various technical fields. Through the GCSP, the university is committed to fostering a new cadre of engineers who will contribute to the contemporary world's technological, economic, and socio-cultural advancement. The program emphasizes not just technical proficiency but also the development of critical competencies that prepare students to tackle the complex challenges of the future.

Spotlight on the Students and Their Projects

Three of the students enrolled in 2023 successfully completed their projects, simultaneously fulfilling the five extracurricular competencies required by the GCSP program. These competencies include talent nurturing, multidisciplinary knowledge, viable entrepreneurship, global perspective, and social responsibility.

-> Ștefania Cristina Roibu from the Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Business Engineering, and Management focused on "Reducing Urban Carbon Footprints: An Analysis of CO2 Capture Strategies for Sustainable Cities (applied to Romania)." Her project explores innovative strategies to combat urban carbon emissions, contributing to the global effort to mitigate climate change.

-> Ioana Nicola from the Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Business Engineering, and Management presented her project on "Revitalizing Local Economies through Sustainable Practices: Supporting Local Producers and Small Businesses." Ioana’s work emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in boosting local economies, advocating for the support of local producers and small businesses as a pathway to sustainable development.

-> Ana Maria Popa from the Faculty of Energy Engineering tackled the critical issue of "Measurements of Radon Concentration and Methods to Reduce it in Enclosed Spaces at UPB (The Impact of Radon Concentration on Humans in Daily Life)." Her research highlights the significance of monitoring and reducing radon levels to ensure safer living environments, particularly in educational institutions like POLITEHNICA Bucharest.