ASSOCIATION FOR EUROPEAN LIFE SCIENCE UNIVERSITIES

The Gala Dinner and ICA Excellence Award Ceremony will be hosted at Banff Castel, located approximately 30 km from Cluj-Napoca. A shuttle bus will be provided from the USAMV Cluj-Napoca campus. Further logistical information will be shared with participants closer to the event.

During the Gala Dinner, the ICA Excellence Award Ceremony will take place, and the 2026 ICA Excellence Awards will be presented. Nominations for the ICA Excellence Awards are currently open. For further information and details on how to submit a nomination, please visit ICA Excellence Awards 2026 – Call for Nominations.

The excursion will be organized in the main USAMV Cluj-Napoca campus to visit the research infrastructure - Life Sciences Research Institute; Institute for Advanced Horticulture Research of Transylvania; Veterinary clinics; University museum. The campus visit concludes at 16:30, with convenient transport connections to Cluj-Napoca airport (approximately 40 minutes, with expected arrival at 17:30).

The event will be held at University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania (Calea Manastur, 3-5, Cluj Napoca ) in the Biodiversity Research Centre.

Getting to USAMV Cluj-Napoca

The fastest and most affordable way to get around Cluj-Napoca is by using the city's public transport network, operated by the Cluj-Napoca Public Transport Company (CTP). The network includes buses, trolleybuses, and trams, providing convenient connections throughout the city.

The University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (USAMV) is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest stop to the campus is Fabrica de Bere (direction here), served by Bus 1, 6, and 25, from which the university is approximately a 5-minute walk.

Tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines located at major public transport stops, or by contactless bank card directly on board most buses, trolleybuses, and trams or using the 24Pay mobile application.

Reaching  Cluj – Napoca

1         Arrival by train

Cluj-Napoca can currently be reached by international rail only via Budapest, as the only direct international train connection is between Budapest and Cluj-Napoca. The journey takes approximately 10 hours, and a one-way ticket typically costs around €26. Travelers coming from other countries generally need to connect through Budapest before continuing to Cluj-Napoca by train.

Upon arrival at Cluj-Napoca Central Railway Station, participants can easily reach the city centre by taking bus line 9 from Piața Gării. The journey to the central area takes approximately 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic.

2        Arrival by Bus

Cluj-Napoca is well connected to several European capitals and major cities through an extensive network of international long-distance coach services. Regular routes operated by companies such as FlixBus provide direct or one-transfer connections from cities including Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, Munich, and Berlin, as well as many other destinations across Europe. International coaches arrive at the Cluj-Napoca Airport Park & Ride bus station. From there, participants can take Bus 5 to Sora stop, then transfer to Bus 1, 6, or 25 to Fabrica de Bere stop. The USAMV is approximately a 5-minute walk from the bus stop. Taxi and ride-hailing services are also available from the bus station.

3        Arrival by Plane

Cluj International Airport (CLJ) is located approximately 9 km from the city centre and offers direct flights to numerous European destinations, making it one of Romania's best-connected regional airports. Several convenient transport options are available to reach the city centre and the USAMV.

3.1        Airport Express Bus- A1E

The Airport Express Bus (A1E) provides a fast and convenient connection between Cluj International Airport (CLJ) and the city centre. The bus serves key stops, including Central Railway Station, Mihai Viteazul Square, and Sora, making it easy to reach many parts of the city.

The journey from the airport to the city centre takes approximately 25–30 minutes, depending on traffic. The fare is 6 RON (approximately €1.20) per journey and can be paid directly on board using a contactless bank card, from ticket vending machines, or using the 24Pay mobile application.

3.2        Taxi and Ride-hailing Services

Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals terminal, and Uber and Bolt also operate at Cluj International Airport. The journey to the city centre or the USAMV typically takes 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. The fare is approximately €10–15, making taxis a convenient option for travelers with luggage or those arriving late in the evening.

3.3        Bus

Several public bus lines connect Cluj International Airport (CLJ) with the city. Public bus services operate between 05:20 and 22:50, providing regular connections between Cluj International Airport (CLJ) and the city. From the bus stop located outside the airport terminal, you can take Bus 5 or Bus 8 to Sora stop. From there, transfer to Bus 1, 6, 25, or 24B and get off at Fabrica de Bere stop. The University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (USAMV) is approximately a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.

A standard public transport ticket costs 3 RON (approximately €0.60) and is valid for one journey. Tickets can be purchased using the 24Pay mobile application, from ticket vending machines, or by contactless bank card directly on board most buses.

4        Arrival by Car

Parking in Cluj-Napoca is available both in public parking facilities and at many hotels and other accommodation providers, which often offer on-site or nearby parking for their guests. Information on public parking facilities throughout the city is also available through the website:https://primariaclujnapoca.ro/parcari/

Participants may also have the option of parking on the university campus. The address is: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca 3–5 Calea Mănăștur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The parking fee is approximately €3 per hour (RON 15/hour), with the first 30 minutes free.

We invite senior university representatives to submit proposals on behalf of their institution for short interventions in the Spotlight Session: How Universities Contribute to Food Systems Resilience.

The session will take place on the first day of the Forum 2026, Thursday, 15 October 2026, and will explore how life science universities can become stronger actors in building food systems resilience.

Your proposal should highlight one or more successful initiatives in one or more of the following focus areas:

• Interdisciplinary education
• Systems thinking in agriculture
• Innovation ecosystems
• Sustainable farming transitions
• Links between food, nutrition and health
• Farmer engagement and knowledge transfer
• Regional resilience partnerships

Selected contributors will be invited to give a 5-minute presentation using no more than three PowerPoint slides.

Please submit a brief description of your proposed intervention to Rasa Pakeltienė at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 15 September 2026. A selection of interventions will be made from the proposals received by the deadline.

Cristal Boutique Hotel

9 minutes walking distance from the University, Hotel Cristal (Boutique Hotel) is a modern 3-star accommodation facility located close to the Central Park, Cluj Arena, and Platinia Shopping Center.

• Phone: +40 364 736 706
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Official Website: Hotel Cristal Cluj-Napoca
• Direct Booking System: Pynbooking Hotel Cristal
• Address: Strada Moldovei Nr. 17, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• Price range: €90 to €155 EUR with breakfast included
• Information about how to arrive at the university : click here

All participants who will make a reservation under the code ICA 2026 at the email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will have a 10% discount if a minimum of 10 rooms are occupied. The price of a SGL room at the reception is 390 Ron/night, and the preferential one is 351 Ron/night with breakfast included. The DBL room at the reception is 460 Ron/night and 414 the preferential one. SUITE (3-4 people) 620-reception and 556 reduced. APARTMENT (4 people) 740-reception and 666 reduced. Deadline to benefit from the preferential rate is September 1, 2026.

Hotel Napoca

25 minutes walking distance (20 minutes with the public transport) from the University, Hotel Napoca is known for hosting major business events and leisure travelers since 1969. Completely renovated in 2022, it combines modern luxury with scenic views along the Someșul Mic River.

• Phone Number: +40 264 580 715 or +40 733 410 170
• Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Official Website: Grand Hotel Napoca
• Direct Booking System: Grand Hotel Napoca Booking Portal
• Exact Location: Strada Octavian Goga Nr. 1, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• Price range: €80 to €115 EUR with breakfast included
• Information about how to arrive at the university : click here

Radisson Blu Hotel Cluj - City Plaza

14 minutes walking distance from the University, Radisson Blu Hotel, Cluj is a premium 5-star hotel located in the heart of Cluj-Napoca, right next to the Central Park.

• Phone: +40 364 431 310
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Official Website: Radisson Blu Hotel, Cluj
• Address: Aleea Stadionului, Nr. 1, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• Price range: 115 to €220 EUR with breakfast included
• Information about how to arrive at the university : click here

Special rate for the ICA Cluj conference (breakfast, VAT, spa & fitness access):

• Standard Room: 135 euro/night/single room
• Premium Room: 155 euro/night/single room

The room reservation will be made by email sent to the reservations department @Reservations, Cluj and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the mention: ICA CONFERENCE CLUJ, period 14-16 October 2026. Availability confirmation for the room type and rate mentioned is made at the time of the reservation request, on a first come, first served basis. The mentioned rate is available until August 31, 2026, subject to availability. After this, there is a possibility that the rate may change.

Double Tree by Hilton Cluj Napoca

14 minutes travel with the public transport from the University, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cluj - City Plaza is a premium 4-star hotel located on a quiet street in the historic center of Cluj-Napoca, right next to the Central Park.

• Phone Number: +40 264 450 101
• Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Official Website: DoubleTree by Hilton Cluj-Napoca
• Direct Booking System: Hilton Official Reservation Portal
• Exact Location: Strada Sindicatelor Nr. 9-13, 400029, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• Price range: €105 to €190 EUR with breakfast included
• Information about how to arrive at the university : click here

For any questions or additional information regarding the Forum, please contact:

Dr Rasa Pakeltienė
Secretary General
Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA)

Tel: +370 672 00184
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Registration for the ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2026 is open: Please register by filling in this form: ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2026 – Fill in form

We kindly invite you to register before 25 September 2026.

Further information, including registration fees and other uodates will be published on this page.

The ICA Forum for Rectors, Vice Rectors, Deans, and senior managers of agricultural and life science universities in Europe aims to provide the opportunity to meet, to discuss current issues in the agricultural and life sciences and to exchange views on issues with relevant stakeholders in industry, government and NGOs

ICA invites Rectors, Vice Rectors, Deans, and senior managers in their university, college, school or faculty being responsible for education, research and innovation to participate in the Forum. In addition, academic/faculty staff and degree programme coordinators are encouraged to participate.