Activity report for 2024

In 2024, through the “Volunteer at UBB” program coordinated by the UBB Volunteer Office, a total of 554 volunteer contracts were signed. Additionally, 489 volunteer certificates were issued, offering students the opportunity to validate their volunteer involvement as work experience in their field. According to the reports submitted by volunteer coordinators, most volunteers received the rating “very good” or “excellent” for their contributions.

As in previous years, the Volunteer Office participated in the two editions of the Career Fair at BT Arena (March 28–29 and November 28–29) and the AJOFM Fair on October 11, promoting UBB’s academic offer. Volunteers at the UBB stand interacted with the public, offered informational materials, and distributed promotional items.

A long-standing tradition, the Blood Donation Campaign saw the involvement of 42 UBB students in its 13th edition. They supported medical staff in screening donors, informed attendees about eligibility criteria, and offered snacks to donors provided by campaign partners.

17 volunteers contributed to the National Conference “Family Health and Birth Rate” held in Cluj-Napoca (May 15–17), where UBB was a scientific partner through UBBMed. Volunteers were responsible for participant registration, badge and kit distribution, and guiding attendees to the session halls.

Under the UBB Goes Green strategic initiative (launched in 2016 to promote sustainability), 32 volunteers participated in eco-actions in the “Alexandru Borza” Botanical Garden, including the inauguration of the “Biodiversity Alley.”

On November 19, the Volunteer Office held its first training workshop for UBB employees, titled “Developing a Volunteer Team: Skills and Perspectives for Coordinators.” Hosted online via Microsoft Teams, the session was attended by 28 staff members from various departments and roles. The workshop led to increased demand from UBB units to initiate volunteer programs and will continue in 2025 to enhance staff awareness of volunteer opportunities within the university.

For International Volunteer Day (December 5), two main events were organized:

1. “Santa’s Little Helpers” – A gift-giving campaign for underprivileged children from the “Țara Minunilor” Day Center in Pata Rât, Cluj-Napoca. UBB students responded in large numbers, ensuring each child received a personal gift.
2. A Christmas carol performance in partnership with the “Psalmodia Transylvanica” chamber choir from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, coordinated by Rev. Prof. Dr. Vasile Stanciu. Volunteers and choir members visited the Day Center for Seniors No. 1 in Cluj-Napoca.

Other major events that involved volunteers in 2024 included:
– Cluj Days Festival, in partnership with the International Cooperation Center (CCI UBB)
– Night of the Museums, hosted across UBB’s university museums
– The Gratitude Archive, coordinated by UBB’s Museum of History
– The Critical Thinking Workshop for High School and University Students, organized by the Alexandru Duma Museum
– Charity Carol Concert and the “Slavă ție, studenție!” project, held in collaboration with FC Universitatea Cluj Football Club.

Throughout 2024, the Volunteer Office collaborated with 36 academic and research coordinators from 32 UBB structures. Some examples include:
UBB’s Ecclesiastical History Institute, Career Counseling Center, Museum of Zoology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, UBB PsyTech Clinic, International Center for Psychotherapy Research, Japanese Cultural Center, Botanical Garden, University Archives, Holocaust Virtual Museum, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Faculty of History and Philosophy, Student Expert Counseling Center, UBB-CORE, and many more.
Together, the volunteers dedicated over 50,000 hours of service.

Volunteer opportunities were continuously promoted through the official website (voluntariat.centre.ubbcluj.ro), which was kept up to date with current openings and provided assistance to both coordinators and volunteers.

The social media presence also played a key role in 2024. On Facebook and Instagram, the Volunteer Office created 54 posts, including announcements, infographics, testimonials, and updates. The Instagram page saw a significant growth in followers, now reaching over 1,189 users. At the end of the year, the Volunteer Office launched a TikTok account to share clips from volunteer activities, informative content, and engaging media targeting new student audiences.

The digitization of volunteer contracts continued, with over 3,500 contracts and annexes stored and managed electronically, improving the office’s responsiveness and document delivery times.

In 2024, the Volunteer Office also began rewarding volunteer coordinators during official events. During the UBB Archive Volunteer Program closing ceremony, the 5 coordinators were symbolically awarded books as a token of appreciation – an initiative that will continue in 2025.

In conclusion, the Volunteer Office responded positively to the many initiatives proposed by UBB coordinators and external partners. These new programs, which proved impactful and well-received, will be expanded in 2025.