Ciprian Dobre is Vice-Rector of the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, professor and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers, coordinator of the Pervasive Services and Products (MobyLab – UPB) laboratory. He was awarded an Oracle PhD fellowship and the IBM Faculty Award, among other awards. Scientific Evaluator for European Commission and for national funding agencies in different programs (Netherlands, Italy, Latvia, Poland, etc.). POLITEHNICA Bucharest representative as member in European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and CESAER (the forum of universities of science and technology in Europe). He works closely with the Ministry of Research, Innovation and d Digitalisation, developing digital tools for the National Research Strategy and previously working as Cabinet Director and IT officer for the organisation. He is the public face of the EELISA Innocore’s Open Science Ambassadors network.
Q- You hold significant leadership roles as Vice-Dean at POLITEHNICA Bucharest and serve as a Scientific Evaluator for the European Commission and various national agencies. How do you manage the demands of leadership while maintaining an active and productive research career?
A- Balancing leadership roles and a productive research career is undoubtedly challenging, but immensely rewarding. It’s a great satisfaction to witness how research ideas evolve into products that positively impact society. Equally fulfilling is seeing this passion for innovation inspire and shape the next generation of specialists. In leadership, I strive for authenticity and integrity, applying the same values to both myself and those around me. Leadership and passion must go hand-in-hand, as it’s the only way to truly make a meaningful contribution to the future.
Q- Early in your career, you received prestigious awards such as the Oracle PhD Fellowship and the IBM Faculty Award. How has your direct collaboration with industry influenced your academic journey, and do you believe these types of partnerships between universities and industry offer long-term benefits?
A- I was fortunate to gain experience in both academia and industry early in my career, before ultimately choosing to focus on academia. I believe this dual exposure was invaluable, much like an apprenticeship before becoming a senior researcher. It provided insight into how research ideas are applied in the real world and how business operates. I strongly encourage my students to seek out similar experiences, as it offers personal and professional growth. In research, universities and industry must collaborate closely—academia generates ideas, while industry drives long-term innovation. Together, they create a sustainable impact.
Q- As POLITEHNICA Bucharest’s representative in European initiatives like EOSC and CESAER, what do you consider the greatest challenges in promoting open science and driving digital transformation within European universities?
A- To drive technological advancements and societal solutions, science—and data—must remain as open as possible. A great example is the accelerated development of a COVID-19 vaccine, made possible by the open collaboration between scientists. Open data significantly shortened research timelines, delivering results that were groundbreaking on a global scale. Looking ahead, expanding open science will foster reproducible research, increasing trust in scientific outcomes and innovation. By embracing open data, we can inspire new research ideas and explore novel concepts, further pushing the boundaries of research and innovation.
Q- As a public face of the EELISA InnoCORE Open Science Ambassadors network and an advisor to Romania’s Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalisation, how do you see open science contributing to the development of digital tools and the broader research ecosystem?
A- Technology should focus on providing open solutions, allowing us to identify potential issues and vulnerabilities before they impact our lives. For example, even Windows has gradually embraced more open-source elements, and other products are following this trend. Openness in digital tools leads to fewer problems in the final products and fosters a larger, engaged community that can contribute to their continuous improvement. This collaborative model should be the future—where openness, rather than closed systems, becomes the standard wherever feasible. Open science plays a critical role in driving this shift and enhancing the broader research ecosystem.