From October 20 to 24, 2025, we were pleased to welcome two Romanian faculty members as part of an Erasmus+ teaching exchange program: Prof. Dr. Daniel-Constantin ANGHEL and Prof. Dr. Alin-Daniel RIZEA
from the Faculty of Mechanics and Technology at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Pitești University Center.
The Office of International Relations and Internationalization had planned a rather packed schedule that included:
– a visit to CrunchLab
– participation in lab sessions with Toufik BOUDOUH, Lucas DEMBINSKI, Arnaud MUTUEL, and Ludovic VITU
– a tour of the Titan platform and the robotics platforms in Sevenans
– a discussion session with mobility coordinators Françoise CRIMPET, Fanny HATUEL, and Gladys TRIPIER CONSTANTIN (Good to know: This destination is available as part of a study abroad program for students outside the core curriculum)
a presentation of their university for students and faculty
“I was particularly interested in discussing your Crunch Time project, as it’s something we’d like to implement at our university,” Alin-Daniel RIZEA tells us.
The collaboration between the Faculty of Mechanics and Technology (FMT) at the POLITEHNICA National University of Science and Technology in Bucharest – University Center of Pitești – and the University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard (UTBM) is based on a long-standing scientific relationship, which began as part of Daniel-Constantin Anghel’s joint doctoral thesis (University of Pitești / UTBM, 2007).
The common themes are:
– functional design and the optimization of design processes;
– additive manufacturing and emerging technologies;
– ergonomics and human-machine interaction in smart industrial environments.
Current Status
As part of the Industrial Engineering Doctoral School, two thesis projects are currently underway with Prof. Toufik BOUDOUH (UTBM) serving as an external advisor, with the shared goal of moving toward co-supervision of the theses:
"Innovative Industrial Logistics and Production Processes and Systems"
Ph.D. Candidate: Loredana NECSOI
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Eduard-Laurențiu NIȚU
External Advisor: Dr. Toufik BOUDOUH (UTBM)
“Contributions to the Study of Human-Machine Interaction in Automated Industrial Environments: An Ergonomic and Mechatronic Approach to Improving Operator Efficiency and Safety”
Ph.D. Candidate: Andreea-Ruxandra IONIȚĂ
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Daniel-Constantin ANGHEL
External Advisor: Dr. Toufik BOUDOUH (UTBM)
This latest dissertation builds on a scientific collaboration that resulted in a joint international publication:
Ioniță, A.-R., Anghel, D.-C., & Boudouh, T. (2025).“
” Mind, Machine, and Meaning: Cognitive Ergonomics and Adaptive Interfaces in the Age of Industry 5.0.
Applied Sciences, 15(14), 7703.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147703
Common Goals
The two institutions aim to:
strengthen the formal framework for joint doctoral supervision between FMT-UPB and UTBM;
develop joint research projects (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ KA2, ANR, UEFISCDI) focused on the following themes: Industry 5.0, artificial intelligence, cognitive ergonomics, cyber-physical systems, and sustainable manufacturing;
promote the academic mobility of doctoral students and faculty researchers;
organize bilateral seminars (thematic workshops, conferences, joint publications).
In conclusion, the collaboration between FMT-UPB and UTBM is characterized by complementary expertise and the continuity of a shared scientific tradition spanning nearly two decades. The establishment of jointly supervised doctoral theses represents a strategic step toward consolidating this academic partnership and enhancing the international visibility of the Doctoral School of Industrial Engineering.
