“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi is proud to participate in the first European Doctoral Day, a continent-wide initiative that will be held annually on May 13 starting in 2026, during Europe Month. Our university firmly believes that science and research are fundamental European values, with the doctoral degree serving as both a gateway and a key driver of progress. As part of this effort, we are organizing a dedicated event.

On May 13, 2026, Europe will mark the inaugural European Doctoral Day, an initiative launched in 2026 and set to become an annual event. This day aims to highlight the pivotal role of PhD holders and of doctoral education in driving scientific excellence, innovation, and societal progress – both within academia and beyond.

This day complements initiatives like Choose Europe for Science to increase Europe’s attractiveness to early career researchers and is designed to:

  • Inspire European and international students to pursue doctoral education,
  • Increase employers’ awareness and recognition of doctoral qualifications,
  • Showcase the diverse career paths and societal contributions of doctoral graduates.

In addition to affirming the value of doctoral education in Europe, this day celebrates what unites Europeans in doctoral education – the PhD and the “Humboldtian” research-based training model were born in Europe – the range and variety of PhD opportunities in Europe and the rich cultural and intellectual diversity of the continent’s scientific landscape.

Originally a French initiative, European academic networks representing the doctoral community across the continent have mobilized to organize this first edition. A coordination committee has reviewed and labelled event proposals submitted by institutions. The enthusiasm of European universities has been confirmed, with over 170 labelled events taking place across Europe, in France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Romania, UK, Ukraine etc. These events, registered on the Eurodocday.org platform, are hosted by institutions within the EU and beyond.

“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, member of the Coimbra Group, is part of this movement.

“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași is marking European Doctoral Day with two events:

Sharing the PhD table – Life lessons storytelling

The PhD world needs new directions. Who will do it? Universities host conferences for academics – they don’t control hiring. Industry hosts recruitment fairs for job seekers – they don’t control doctoral training. Policy makers hold consultations for stakeholders – they don’t control doctoral supervision. Power is fragmented. Everyone talks about PhDs, but never with all stakeholders simultaneously. That’s not real dialogue – it’s an echo chamber with multiple rooms. Doctoral crises exist not because people don’t care, but because concern is atomized. Our Life lessons storytelling Doctoral Days break the silos and bring us to the same room. We all sit at the same table. Let’s share our stories. Listen. Learn. Work together to find new directions. Do things better!

We invite PhD students, PhD graduates, employers, researchers, members of supervisory committees, and other interested parties to share their story by filling out the following Google form: De vorbă la masa doctoratului – povești cu tâlc Sharing the PhD table – Life lessons storytelling

PhD skills puzzle

The world asks everything from PhDs. To be perfect researchers. To publish in the best journals. To win research projects. To find solutions for societal problems. To make industries more innovative and performant. To communicate with citizens, mass media and policy makers. And they need to stay healthy, energetic and resilient, always prepared and ready to step into any new job or opportunity. They also need a personal life. Their life is a huge puzzle, with myriads of activities and skills. Do we even know how this puzzle looks when we want to solve it, to provide doctoral students with the best education and training? Help us build the puzzle – send us the skills you need the most, in your field. We will collect all of them. The puzzle will come to light, and together we can realistically equip PhD students with the best tools and skills. The event aims to co-create, with all involved stakeholders (PhD students, PhD supervisors and support academics, employers and industry partners, decision and policy makers, community representatives and citizens) a comprehensive list of expectations, in terms of skills, for the PhD graduate. Creating the puzzle through our collaboration and discovering together how this picture looks – how realistic it is, what is missing or what elements are not in their right place – we can train better PhD researchers and graduates, break misunderstandings and get the most out of this process for all those involved and for the whole society. Are you recruiting doctors or are you a PhD student yourself? Sign up via the link to learn more about this event and to send us your perspective – together we can improve the PhD journey.

Do you hire PhD graduates, or are you a PhD student or graduate yourself? Do you supervise PhD students? Please fill out the survey available here.

For more information: