Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (Romania) has successfully completed the 2025 edition of its International Staff Week
On June 2-6, 2025, Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (USV) hosted a new edition of its annual International Staff Week, bringing together academic and administrative professionals from seven European partner universities, under the umbrella of the NEOLAiA European University Alliance.
This year’s edition was dedicated to the timely and important topic of “Organisational Well-being in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” and focused on mental health, institutional resilience, team motivation, and inclusive leadership within academia.
Welcome and Opening
The event opened with a welcoming session in USV’s Senate Room, followed by institutional presentations from all participating universities. A keynote speech entitled “Organisational Well-being in HEIs: From Theory to Practice” was delivered by Carmen Chasovschi, Coordinator of the International Office. The day concluded with a campus tour and networking opportunities.
Emotional Well-being and Cultural Immersion
Participants attended sessions dedicated to emotional well-being and student support mechanisms, presented by the Centre for Occupational and Career Counselling (CCOC USV). The afternoon offered a deep insight into the cultural heritage Bucovina through guided visits to the Citadel of Suceava and the Bucovina Village Museum.
Resilience and Academic Collaboration
The third day focused on strategies for institutional resilience in education. Dr. Adina Colomeischi, Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences, led the session “The Resilient Educator”, while Julia Burian, Director of Campus in Balance (Bielefeld University, Germany), presented the NEOLAiA Network on Mental Health and HR in Academia. The day also featured a roundtable discussion on well-being and motivation in higher education, moderated by the hosts.
Collaborative Workshops and Celebration
Hands-on workshops on organisational well-being were led by Andreea Ursu, Otilia Clipa, and Doina Schipor, offering frameworks and case studies for strengthening well-being within academic institutions. The day concluded with individual teaching sessions across USV departments and the vibrant Graduate Parade in Suceava’s city centre.
Bucovina Study Visit
The week concluded with a full-day study trip through the Bucovina region, offering participants the opportunity to engage with local heritage, traditions, and regional development models.
Key outcomes included:
- Shared good practices on emotional resilience, mental health support and staff well-being
- Integration of international perspectives into institutional development
- Strengthening academic networks for future collaborative projects
A European Dimension of Collaboration and Well-being
This edition of the International Week reaffirmed USV’s role as a key player in transnational academic collaboration, committed to advancing organisational well-being, staff development and intercultural dialogue within the NEOLAiA Alliance.
