Babeș-Bolyai University’s Commitment to HR Excellence in Research: Ethics, Integrity, and Talent Development

Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB), a prestigious academic institution with a strong tradition in research excellence, is taking part in the NextTechTalents project as a committed partner. The university contributes with its extensive expertise in building ethical, transparent, and high-quality research environments.

Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) was awarded the prestigious HR Excellence in Research distinction in 2018, in recognition of its proven capacity to implement and uphold the 20 principles of the European Charter for Researchers (ECR). This achievement reflects not only procedural compliance but also the university’s deep institutional commitment to fostering a research environment grounded in academic integrity, ethical excellence, and transparency.

By adopting the Charter, UBB has undertaken comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing the quality of research and reinforcing its support for researchers – especially early-stage researchers. These reforms have restructured internal processes and policies to better align with the principles of responsible research, ethical governance, and academic freedom, all of which are fundamental to a thriving talent ecosystem.

The university has successfully implemented a series of strategic actions based on its HRS4R Action Plans (2018, updated in 2024), including:
– The Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment Policy
– The Methodology for Filling Vacant Teaching and Research Positions
– The Standard Operating Procedure for Staff Recruitment in

Research Projects
– The Institutional RDI Strategies and Action Plans
– The Annual Satisfaction Survey of teaching and research staff
– The Annual Evaluation of Doctoral Programs by PhD candidates

These efforts are complemented by the activity of four dedicated Working Groups, each contributing to specific pillars of HR excellence:
– Working Group for Research Development
– Working Group for HR Management
– Working Group for Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
– HRS4R Support Working Group

UBB’s approach firmly positions ethics and academic integrity at the fundamental basis of its research strategy. The university not only ensures adherence to national and European ethical standards but actively promotes a culture of responsible research conduct across all disciplines and levels.

The NextTechTalents project aligns naturally with UBB’s HR Excellence in Research agenda and the ResearchComp framework. Through its ongoing commitment to HR reform and integrity-based talent development, UBB is well-positioned to support and mentor its partners – such as Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) and Ventspils Augstskola (VUAS) – as they pursue their own HR Excellence journeys.

Notably, NextTechTalents provides a platform for further advancing academic integrity and research ethics as core components of a dynamic, high-performing talent ecosystem. The project also offers valuable opportunities for strengthening the institutional capacity of partners in areas such as intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and management, which are crucial for responsible Deep Tech innovation.