Mihnea Costoiu graduated from the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, the Economical engineering specialization, in 1996, and continued his studies in the same field with a master’s degree. Between 2002 and 2003 he followed postgraduate specialization studies, at the National Defence College (Ministry of National Defence, Romania), followed by courses in the field of higher education management, at the Academy of Economic Studies of Bucharest (2011).

Between 1997 and 2000 he lectured as an associate professor within the Academy of Economic Studies of Bucharest and the National School of Political and Administrative studies of Bucharest, and, since 2005, at the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest – where he holds courses and seminars in human resource management, organizational management, international and EU funded project management, engineering or industrial projects.

Between 2005 and 2012 he took the chair of General Manager at the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, and due to his remarkable achievements in the field of higher education management, in 2012 and later, in 2016 and 2020 he was elected rector of the university for a term of 4 years each.

His career in public administration, within the education and research sector, started in 2001, as Secretary General in the Ministry of Education and Research, position which he occupied until 2004. Afterwards, he became Project Manager for the School Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project, an investment project implemented by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research and co-financed by the World Bank. In 2009 he took on the portfolio of State Secretary within the Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation.

Later, during 2012 – 2014, he occupied the position of Delegate Minister for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Development within the Ministry of National Education.

In 2012 he was elected Senator in the Parliament of Romania and in 2016 he was reelected senator and member of the Committee for Education, Science, Youth and Sport and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate. As representative of Government bodies/institutions and national, regional and international, as coordinator of the State authority to areas of scientific research and higher education, as well as legal representative of the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, he took personal responsibility for professional activities and social commitments.

In January 2015, in appreciation of the achievements as minister delegate, he was awarded the title of honorary Counsellor to the Prime Minister in the EU-funded research projects field, position which he occupied until October 2015. He has more than 7 years of experience in European and international cooperation, in the field of education and in project preparation, assessment, monitoring, management and reporting. He was involved as member of the project team or director, in 26 research contracts or in human resources development projects, achieved through competition; he held the position of Project Manager for 5 of these projects.

His participation in international conferences has brought him worldwide recognition. He has been awarded more than 70 prizes and golden medals. He is also the winner of 11 international patents.

Professional associations:
– 1998 – present: Member of the General Association of Engineers in Romania (AGIR);
– 2001 – present: Member of the Romanian Association for Project Management;
– 2008 – present: Member in the HUMANE Heads of University Management & Administration Network in Europe;
– 2012 – present: Vice-president; General Secretary – the National Council of Rectors;
– 2016 – present: Member of European Association for International Education (EAIE);
– 2017 – present: Member of the Board of Directors of Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, AUF;
– 2017 -present: Member of the Board of Directors of CESAER (Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research);
– 2020 – present: Vice-president of CESAER; Chair of the CESAER Task Force Learning and Teaching.

Publishing activity:
– First author for 1 speciality book;
– Co-author for 4 speciality books;
– First author for 3 speciality studies;
– First author or co-author of 33 specialized articles, of which 33 in ISI-rated journals and ISI indexed proceedings, 13 published in volumes of scientific events or presented at specialized conferences.

Distinctions and prizes:
– Knight National Order “Faithful Service”, 2004;
– Distinction in the anti-drug fight given by the National Anti-Drug Agency, 2008;
– Order of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen, Romanian Patriarchate, February 2015;
– Distinguished Officer from the European Innovation Award, November 2015.
– Over 70 national and international scientific awards and/or medals.