Teaching & Education
Dedicated to developing the next generation of energy professionals through comprehensive teaching, mentorship, and lifelong learning programs focused on energy efficiency and sustainability.
Main Teaching Activities
Core courses at Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
Comprehensive introduction to management principles, organizational behavior, and strategic planning. Students develop practical skills through hands-on projects and case studies.
Essential training in research ethics, academic integrity, and professional responsibility. Focus on ethical decision-making in research and professional practice.
Modern marketing strategies for technical products and services. Students learn market analysis, customer behavior, branding, and digital marketing through practical projects.
Student Entrepreneurship
Fostering innovation and entrepreneurial mindset
Student Entrepreneurial Society
Co-founder and active mentor supporting student initiatives, entrepreneurial mindset development, and practical project implementation.
Mentoring Focus
- Idea validation and market research
- Team building and collaboration
- Project planning and execution
- Pitch development and presentation
Key Areas
- Communication and networking skills
- Ethical business practices
- Responsible innovation principles
- Stakeholder engagement strategies
ROBOTELIER - Electrical Engineering Circle
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UTCN
ElectroCamp - National Competition
Through the ROBOTELIER electrical engineering circle, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Technical University of Cluj-Napoca organizes ElectroCamp, a national competition designed to stimulate high school students' interest in electrical engineering and provide opportunities to develop practical competencies through innovative solutions.
Competition Structure:
- Target Audience: High school students (grades 11-12) from across Romania
- Format: Individual or team participation (up to 3 members per team)
- Phase 1: Theoretical and practical training sessions at UTCN
- Phase 2: Project presentation and evaluation by faculty and student jury
Program Benefits:
- Hands-on experience with electrical engineering concepts and projects
- Mentorship from faculty members and current UTCN students
- Networking with peers passionate about engineering
- Competition winners receive admission advantages to Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Lifelong Learning Programs
Professional development and accredited training programs
Lecturer - EnTRAINER Project Training Programs
Role: Lecturer and course developer for accredited lifelong learning programs as part of the EU-funded LIFE EnTRAINER project (Grant Agreement No 101076424).
These programs introduce a paradigm shift from conventional energy audits to holistic Energy Transition Audits (ETA) methodology, focusing on decarbonization of energy-intensive industries. Delivered training to energy professionals and auditors across multiple editions in Romania.
Energy Transition Audits for Energy Professionals
Comprehensive training providing the necessary skills to build an innovative energy audit culture, establishing the holistic EnTRAINER approach through Energy Transition Audits (ETAs) and comprehensive action plans to achieve full decarbonization of industrial companies.
Learning Units (125-150 hours)
- European and national policies for energy efficiency and decarbonization
- Cutting-edge energy efficiency and decarbonization solutions
- Energy Transition Audits and Decarbonization Action Plans
- Tools for monitoring and managing energy and CO₂ emissions
- Financing energy efficiency and decarbonization measures
- Team project applying ETA to a case study
Target Audience
- Current and future energy professionals
- Engineering students/graduates with energy background
- Energy experts, consultants, and managers
- Personnel of industrial companies
- Holders of level-5 EQF vocational training in energy/industry
Assessment: Multiple-choice tests (40%) + Team project (60%). Mix of face-to-face and distance learning methods available.
Energy Transition Audits for Energy Auditors
Specialized course for practicing energy auditors to enhance their scope and provide novel energy transition services. Focuses on complementing conventional audit methodologies with new energy transition and decarbonization planning strategies.
Learning Units (50-60 hours)
- Energy Transition Audits methodology and implementation
- Decarbonization Action Plans design and roadmapping
- Digital tools for monitoring energy and CO₂ emissions
- Practical project applying ETA to real case study
Key Features
- Multi-benefit analysis for ranking decarbonization measures
- Collective approach and short/medium/long-term planning
- Latest technologies and strategies for industrial efficiency
- EnTRAINER digital tools (CUSUM, heat loss calculator, etc.)
Prerequisites: Preference for certified energy auditors or professionals with auditing experience. Also open to future auditors and qualified individuals with energy or engineering background.
Lecturer - Energy Efficiency and Sustainability for Energy Managers (SMEs)
Serving as a lecturer in this specialized training program for energy managers and specialists in small and medium enterprises, focusing on practical implementation of energy efficiency measures and decarbonization strategies.
Core Topics
- Efficiency-first approach and KPI-driven implementation
- Energy auditing methodology and opportunity screening
- Decarbonization measures: technical and organizational
- Economic analysis: CAPEX/OPEX, payback periods, risk assessment
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and prioritize efficiency improvement measures
- Translate technical measures into actionable business plans
- Understand regulatory compliance and best practices
- Communicate results effectively to management
Target Audience: Energy managers, facility managers, sustainability officers, and technical specialists in SMEs seeking to improve energy performance and reduce carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.
Published Books
Author and co-author of academic books on energy transition, environmental management, and entrepreneurship education.
Sisteme de management de mediu: influențe și implementare facilă în organizații
Author: Ștefan-Dragoș Cîrstea
Publisher: Editura Fundației pentru Studii Europene, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2015
ISBN: 978-606-526-198-3
Tendințe și evoluții emergente în universitățile tehnice
Authors: Nicolae Vlad Burnete, Ovidiu Petru Stan, Ștefan Cîrstea, Denisa Șteț
Publisher: UTPRESS, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2022
ISBN: 978-606-737-615-9
📄 PDF available via UTCN library
Tranziție energetică spre neutralitate climatică: Noțiuni de eficiență energetică
Authors: Denisa Șteț, A. Ceclan, Ștefan Cîrstea, L. Czumbil, C. Mureșan, T. Farkas, R. Briscan
Publisher: UTPRESS, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2024
ISBN: 978-606-737-712-5
📄 PDF available via UTCN library
De la idee la afacere. Drumul antreprenorial al unui inginer
Authors: Anca Constantinescu-Dobra et al. (includes Ștefan Dragoș Cîrstea)
Publisher: UTPRESS, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2025
ISBN: 978-606-737-783-5
📄 PDF available via UTCN library
Teaching Philosophy
My approach to teaching emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application. I believe in fostering critical thinking, encouraging innovation, and preparing students not just for their first job, but for lifelong learning and adaptation in a rapidly evolving energy sector. Through project-based learning, real-world case studies, and mentorship, I aim to develop professionals who are technically competent, ethically grounded, and capable of driving the energy transition forward.