At the request of the persons concerned, Sapientia University recognizes doctoral degree certificates and PhD in science obtained at accredited higher education institutions from abroad (member states of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland), as well as institutions included in the List of prestigious universities from other countries, approved by Order of the Minister of National Education no. 5825 of 2016, for full-time lecturers (employed with contracts of indefinite duration) or associate professors (with contracts of indefinite duration or hourly pay), as well as researchers, in accordance with the Methodology for automatic recognition of doctoral degree certificates and of PhD in science obtained abroad, approved by the Senate of Sapientia University. The procedure is applicable for Romanian citizens and citizens of member states of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland. The full procedure for the recognition of doctoral degree certificates and of PhD in science is carried out electronically via the PCUe portal (Punctul de Contact Unic electronic – Point of Single Contact and Electronic Procedures, the procedure in details may be consulted here.) The recognition of doctoral degree certificates and of PhD in science is valid and has legal effects within Sapientia University, in accordance with the legal provisions in force. Processing time of application: 30 days from the submission of the request via PCUe Recognition criteria: • Identifying the institution issuing the doctoral degree certificate. If the institution in question does not fall unequivocally into the category of accredited higher education institutions of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland, or is not included in the List of prestigious universities from other countries, approved by Order of the Minister of National Education no. 5825 of 2016, the recognition procedure will be closed, the applicant being directed by notification via PCUe to CNRED (Centrul National de Recunoastere si Echivalare a Diplomelor / National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas). • Examining the authenticity of the proof of academic teaching position. If suspicions arise regarding the authenticity of the document, the recognition procedure will be closed, the applicant being directed to CNRED by notification via PCUe. • Identifying the field of science that the PhD was completed in, and determining the equivalence of the certificate according to the nomenclature of doctoral fields in Romania. o If the field of science cannot be determined unequivocally from the submitted documents, the committee may request clarifications by submission of the doctoral thesis or other supporting documents. In this case, the committee will make a decision after evaluating these documents, all submitted via PCUe. The certificate recognizing the doctoral degree certificate and PhD in science, in electronic format and bearing the digital signature of the rector, will be sent to the applicant via the PCUe portal. One copy of the decision in paper format will be registered at the Rector’s Office and archived in the personal folder of the applicant. If the committee refuses to recognize the doctoral degree certificate and PhD in science, the applicant will be notified via the PCUe portal. Contestation of the decision, appeals: The applicant has the right to appeal against the decision of the recognition committee classifying the PhD in question into a field of science within 5 days from posting of the decision. The appeal shall be submitted at the Rector’s Office of Sapientia University. The applicant will be answered within 14 days from submission of the appeal. Subsequently, the final decision of the university referring to the recognition or non-recognition of the doctoral degree certificate and of PhD in science may be appealed against in court.