Universitatea DANUBIUS Galați a ajuns în China, nu atârnată prin D. Gîndu în…”portocalia”!

I had the honor to speak at the 8th AGAUC Conference hosted by our wonderful friends at Xi’an International University, in China.

Few cities in the world embody the meeting of worlds like Xi’an — where caravans once carried silk and ideas in equal measure. Today, we gather in that same spirit: to exchange knowledge, build friendships, and imagine the future of higher education together.

For me, this moment was deeply personal.

Both Danubius International University and Xi’an International University were founded in 1992 — two distant universities, born with the same conviction: that education changes lives, strengthens communities, and brings nations closer.

I proudly carry forward the legacy of my father, Professor Benone Pușcă, who founded Danubius University with the belief that private universities can be engines of social progress and international collaboration.

And I deeply honor the founder of Xi’an International University, Dr. Huang Teng whose dedication continues to inspire generations.

By my side stands Professor Steve Michael, the visionary founder of AGAUC and now Rector of Danubius International University, whose mission connects East and West through trust, innovation, and friendship.

We also remember with gratitude the Danubius colleagues who visited Xi’an back in 2011, laying the foundation of our cooperation and stand here today with a new delegation of 10 Danubius colleagues, professors and researchers who build bridges between Romania and China.

Private universities are not isolated islands — they are laboratories of responsible innovation, where law, ethics, and technology meet human purpose. When we collaborate, we amplify our power to serve students and society.