The American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences (ARA)[1][2][3][4] is an internationally recognised academic research and educational institution[5] that conducts and supports multidisciplinary studies in exact sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, and also supports the arts, linguistics, literature, political studies and sociology. As an institution its main goal is to foster cultural exchanges between the American and Romanian cultures[6]. ARA was founded in California in 1975 by a group of American-Romanians, and after 29 years in existence has 119 elected members, 81 corresponding members, as well as 59 Honorary Members.
ARA sponsors conferences, annual congresses[7][8], organizes research projects, and publishes its own peer-reviewed international journal under the title "Journal of the American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences."[9][10], as well as an ARA Newsletter for its membership[11].
The Romanian branch of ARA[12] has its center in Timişoara, Romania, that is closely coordinated with the US main organization. At present, ARA also enjoys the support of its scholarly activities by the Carol I National Defence University[13] (a Romanian homologue of the West Point Academy in the USA).
Contents |
ARA is presently supporting specific research activities in the following areas:
1. Anthropology 2. Applied Mathematics 3. Biology 4. Chemistry 5. Economy 6. Education 7. Engineering 8. Environment 9. History 10. Law 11. Linguistics 12. Literature 13. Medical Informatics 14. Medicine 15. Political Science 16. Philosophy 17. Physics 18. Theology
ARA also organizes educational courses at various times in specific areas such as, for example: Mathematics, Fluid Mechanics, Economics, Romanian and American History, Comparative History of Religions, Romanian Folklore and American Literature correlates, Aesthetics, Folk Dancing, Folklore Quilting and Paintings.
The engineering and computing courses organized in collaboration with the Romanian Branch of ARA in Timişoara are especially popular, and attracted large audiences of both students and faculty[14].
The list of ARA Honorary Members includes: Nobel Laureate George Palade (CA,USA), King Michael I of Romania, former Governor Michael Dukakis (CA,USA), Prof. Mircea Eliade (IL,USA), former Ambassador David Britton Funderbruk (USA) in Romania, Ambassador John R. Davis (USA), Eugène Ionesco (France)[15][16][17], Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu (Third President of free Romania from 1996 to 2000), Prof. Nicolaie Georgescu (Chancellor of Alma Mater University in Sibiu, Romania), former Romanian Ambassador—Acad. Virgil Constantinescu, Prof.Alain Bezançon (France), Prof. Michel Meslin (France), Professor Emil Turdeanu(Sorbonne, France), Prof. Raghu S. Ragunathan (UK), Prof. Jacques Bouchard (decorated with the Order of Canada), Prof. Nicolas Mateesco-Matte, Academician[18],[19], Prof. Jean D.A. Bozet (Belgium), Prof. Willy P.J. Legros (Belgium), Prof. Teodoro Oniga (Brazil), Romanian Academicians Augustin Buzura, Eugen Simion[20], Gabriel Țepelea, and Education Minister, Acad. Mircea Malița (also former Romanian Ambassador in USA and Switzerland), Acad. Prof. Grigore Belostecinic (Republic of Moldova), Acad. Prof. Andrei Andrieș, (Republic of Moldova), Reverend Gheorghe Calciu-Dumitreasa (USA),Prof. Ladis K. Kristof (CA, USA), Prof. Adrian Bejan (USA), Prof. Paul Ricœur (USA), Acad.Prof. Radu Roșca (France), Lieutenant-General Prof. Teodor Frunzeti (Romania), Prof. Claudiu Matasa (USA), together with 10 other members of a total of 42 Honorary members worldwide.
There are currently 12 US Emeriti members of ARA: Prof. Raymonde A. Bulger, Prof. Mircea Sabău, Dr. Carmen Sabău, Prof. Ladis K. Kristof, Prof. Thomas Amherst Perry, Romanian Acad. Dinu C. Giurescu, Prof. Lory Wallfish, Prof. Radu Florescu, Prof. Aurel Ciufecu, Prof. Paola S. Țimiraș, Dr. Dan Grindea and Dr. Jon Cepoi. There are also 4 other Emeriti ARA members from Canada, Germany and Spain: Prof. Angela Comnene (Canada), Dr. Radu Enescu (Spain), Dr. Nicolas Catanoy (Germany) and Dr. Pavel Chihaia (Germany).
(35) in 2011 - Polytechnic University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania, July 6–10,(Honorary Chairman - Prof. Dr. Eng. Nicolae Robu, Rector of University "Polytehnica" of Timișoara, Chairwoman - Prof Dr. ing Ioana Ionel)[21][22]
(34) in 2010 - "Carol I" National Defense University, Bucharest, Romania, May 18–23, (Honorary Chairman - Lt. General Prof. Dr. Teodor Frunzeti, Rector of "Carol I" National Defence University, Chairman - Professor Dr. Marius Hanganu)[23]
(33) in 2009 - Sibiu Alma Mater University, Sibiu, Romania, June 2 - 07,(Honorary Chairman - Prof. Dr. Nicolaie Georgescu, Rector of SAMU, Chairman - Prof. Dr. Mircea Cosma)
(32) in 2008 - Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, July 22–26, (Honorary Chairman - Dr. Zorica Pantic Chairman - Assistant. Prof. Dr. Ilie Tălpășanu)
(31) in 2007 - TRANSILVANIA University, Braşov, Romania, July 31 - August 5,(Honorary Chairman - Prof. Dr. Ion Visa, Chairman - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elena Doval)
(30) in 2005 - Academy of Economic Studies, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, July 5–10, (Honorary Chairman - Prof. Dr. Hab. Grigore Belostecinic, Chairman - Prof. Dr. Hab. Dumitru Todoroi).[24]