"Prof. Alexandru Avram" Award given at The Romanian Academy, to celebrate Scientific Excellency
Alfa Foundation for Health and Education, in collaboration with the Romanian Academy, announces the granting of the "Prof. Alexandru Avram" Award for scientific excellence in the fields of historical sciences, archaeology and epigraphy.
The ceremony is scheduled on the 7th of December 2023, during the solemn session of the General Assembly of the Romanian Academy, marking the special occasion of the "Romanian Academy Awards" event.
The award will go to PhD Florian Matei Popescu, archaeologist and epigraphist, scientific researcher II at the Institute of Archaeology "Vasile Pârvan" in Bucharest, for his outstanding contributions in the field.
"I am honoured and happy to receive the Prof. Alexandru Avram Prize, an award insituted in memory of my unforgettable teacher, too quickly and unjustly taken away by a cruel death! Alexandru Avram directed my first steps towards the study of ancient history, epigraphy and Greco-Roman archaeology. He was my tutor for my undergraduate and master's work, a close advisor, and encouraged me whenever I needed it. He guided me towards the study of classical languages and German, without which no one can seriously study Greco-Roman antiquity. Prof. Alexandru Avram was more than a teacher, a passionate researcher of Pontic antiquities, he was a model of professional, civic and personal conduct, who succeeded in a fairly short time to create a school, whose students are today teachers or researchers at prestigious institutions in the country and abroad. His legacy is thus carried forward! Finally, I would like to thank the Alfa Foundation for Health and Education and the Romanian Academy for this honour and congratulate them once again for the welcome initiative to establish an award in memory of our professor, Alexandru Avram!", said PhD Florian Matei Popescu.
The "Prof. Alexandru Avram" award consists of a diploma and a monetary reward of 10.000 lei. The decision to award the prize was taken by a committee, initiated by Acad. Victor Spinei, President of the Historical Sciences and Archaeology Section of the Romanian Academy.
"We believe that our choice, in the person of Mr. Florian Matei Popescu, honors the personality of the late Prof. Alexandru Avram, as it honors the mission of the Romanian Academy, as the keeper of the cultural and scientific treasure of this country. On this occasion, I would like to underline the excellent collaboration between the Romanian Academy and the Alfa Foundation for Health and Education, which is not limited to the awarding of this prize. The partnerships signed by the Romanian Academy and the Alfa Foundation are a true model of interaction between scientific institutions and the non-profit sector. Thus, by bringing together resources from the public and non-profit sectors, Romanian science can effectively use its human and institutional potential, making an essential contribution to the country's development", declared the President of the Romanian Academy's Section of Historical Sciences and Archaeology, Acad. Victor Spinei.
The award partnership was signed by Acad. Mircea Dumitru, Vice-President of the Romanian Academy, and Mr. Mihai Măcelaru, member of the Board of the Alfa Foundation for Health and Education. It marks a significant step in the collaboration between the two institutions to promote excellence in scientific research.
"The collaboration between the Alfa Foundation for Health and Education and the Romanian Academy to confer the "Prof. Alexandru Avram" Award reflects our commitment to promoting quality research in Romania. Through this award, but also by offering ALFA Scholarships for scientific excellence, we provide a platform to recognise those who contribute to scientific progress and encourage new generations to pursue a career in science", said Mr. Mihai Măcelaru, Member of the Board of Directors of the Alfa Foundation for Health and Education.
The award is named in honour of Prof. Alexandru Avram (1956-2021), a specialist in the history, epigraphy and archaeology of ancient Greece and the Black Sea area and a valuable contributor to international projects on the epigraphy, history and archaeology of Greek colonies. His outstanding academic career and dedication to education and research are an inspiration to the academic community.
