Mihnea Costoiu appointed CESAER Envoy to European Skills High-Level Board

CESAER congratulates Mihnea Costoiu, Rector of the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, on his appointment by the European Commission to the European Skills High-Level Board on 18 May 2026.

The Board is chaired by Ylva Johansson, former European Commissioner, in her function as Special Adviser reporting to European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu. It brings together businesses, education and training providers, including universities, and social partners to provide advice and guidance on skills development in Europe.

The European Skills High-Level Board plays a central role in advancing the Union of Skills, the European Commission’s strategy to boost Europe’s competitiveness and address labour shortages through improved education, vocational training and lifelong learning. Its work also supports the Commission on education and skills within the European Semester. It will operate until 2029.

The appointment of Rector Costoiu brings the perspective of a leading university of science and technology into this important European-level forum at a time when skills, talent and human capital are central to Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and capacity to innovate.

Mihnea Costoiu (Rector of the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest) said:

“I am honoured to contribute to the European Skills High-Level Board and to support the Union of Skills. Europe’s competitiveness depends on our ability to connect excellent education, research, innovation and industry more effectively, and universities of science and technology have a crucial role in preparing the talent needed for Europe’s future.”

Mihnea Costoiu has served as Rector of POLITEHNICA Bucharest since 2012 and has held several senior roles in CESAER, including as CESAER Vice President from 2020 to 2023 and CESAER Director from 2018 to 2025. POLITEHNICA Bucharest is a Member of CESAER, the strong and united voice of universities of science and technology in Europe.

At its meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 11 June, the CESAER Board appointed Mihnea Costoiu as CESAER Envoy to the European Skills High-Level Board, with immediate effect and until 31 December 2027.

Mattias Björnmalm (Secretary General of CESAER) said:

“The CESAER Board thanks Mihnea for taking on this important role as CESAER Envoy. His experience as a university leader and his longstanding contribution to CESAER make him exceptionally well placed to bring the perspective of universities of science and technology into the work of the European Skills High-Level Board.

“Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity depend on developing, attracting and retaining talent in science and technology. We look forward to working with Mihnea to help ensure that research-based education, strong links between universities and industry, and the role of universities as strategic partners are firmly reflected in the implementation of the Union of Skills.”

For more information, please contact the Secretariat.

Photo: Orla Feely (President of CESAER and President of University College Dublin) to the left and Mihnea Costoiu (Rector of the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest) to the right. Photo credit POLITEHNICA Bucharest.