The activity report (2020–2024) of the Doctoral School of Automatic Control and Computers (SD-AC), presented at the General Assembly on October 17, 2024, by Prof. Florin Pop, summarizes key activities, projects, and legislative changes.
Admissions and Student Activity
The admissions process has evolved since 2022; the decision to admit a candidate is now granted directly to the supervisor, while the committee handles the ranking. In the 2024/2025 academic year, a total of 100 doctoral students were admitted (73 state-funded, 27 fee-paying). As of October 2023, the doctoral scholarship increased to 3,200 RON. For 2025, plans include maintaining the 4-year program duration and potentially expanding to include a new field—Computer Science—subject to ARACIS accreditation.
Human Resources and Doctoral Thesis Defenses
The faculty has expanded significantly through new habilitations: 17 professors obtained habilitation between 2021 and 2024 (in CTI, IS, and Computer Science), while another 8 candidates are currently in the validation or preparation stages. Thesis completions have shown an upward trend:
- 2022: 33 theses (13 Summa cum laude, 20 Magna cum laude).
- 2023: 44 theses (13 Summa cum laude, 24 Magna cum laude, 6 Cum laude).
- 2024: 40 theses (29 defended and 11 in preparation).
The completion of the OPTIM project (November 2023) was highlighted; through this project, 23 doctoral candidates and 9 postdoctoral researchers completed their programs, amassing a total of 63 scientific publications. Impact of the Legislative Framework (Law 199/2023)
The new higher education law introduces significant changes:
- The duration of studies is 4 years.
- A supervisor may simultaneously supervise a maximum of 8 doctoral students (with an exception allowing up to 12 students for a maximum of 20% of supervisors, subject to Senate approval; this rule applies starting from the 2026–2027 academic year).
- Doctoral students may engage in paid teaching activities.
- Procedures for the thesis defense and the awarding of the degree are being modified (via an order from the rector of the IOSUD—Institution Organizing Doctoral Studies), and an Academic Integrity Commission is being introduced at the doctoral school level.
- New CNATDCU minimum standards for habilitation and the awarding of the doctoral degree are being finalized (focusing on publications in journals with an impact factor and in A*/A/B-rated conferences).
Events, Awards, and Scientific Activity
SD-AC has organized the CSCS-DS doctoral symposium, the Post-Doctoral Symposium, and “Doctoral Students’ Days,” annually awarding the *Studio et opere excellens* prize for the best theses. The school also actively participates in international mobility programs (such as the Eugen Ionescu scholarships). In terms of research, SD-AC conducts over 130 projects (both national and international) and has a track record comprising over 1,000 publications and 48 books or book chapters. Plans for the development of SD-AC
Key priorities include the new SD-AC regulations, equipping the doctoral school’s new premises through sponsorships, assessing the feasibility of a professional doctorate (dual system), and strengthening support for doctoral students through dedicated grants.
