Resilient Universities In Pandemic Times. The Case Of Babes Bolyai University, Romania

Today’s pandemic caused major disruptions at global level, impacting systems, cities, communities, and higher education institutions (HEIs) made no exception. From the initial shock, to survival mode and response strategies, HEIs were challenged to identify sustainable approaches to the new normal. Being a resilient university asks for tremendous efforts to prepare, adapt and respond adequately to a major crisis. The existing problems and deficiencies had been exacerbated (related to access, equity, quality, etc.), but several opportunities should be explored (innovation in teaching and learning, technological endowment, digital literacy and training, support services, etc.). The article aims to reveal the response strategy adopted by one of the leading university in Romania, namely Babeș Boyai University (BBU), and to highlight its resilient profile: from an initial limited readiness for such a crisis, to preparedness and constant adaption to the changing environment: designing new institutional framework for teaching, research and administrative activities, providing access to online education, granting support for students and staff (access to IT devices, training, grants), as well. The ongoing pandemic has been perceived by the university’s leadership as a trigger for relevant changes, as well as an opportunity for sustainable development of the institution. In view of all these realities, the current perspective will allow us to identify some good practices and future lines of action needed in the new academic environment as well as future trends of development in connection with actions that will be maintained in the long run, especially since, so aswe can easily observe, the ongoing context does not seem to offer us a high level of stability and anticipation perspective.