Inaugural Reception Speech of Dr. Daniel David, named to occupy this position  

Dear all:

After several years of studying and working in the USA (most of this period was spent at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Biobehavioral and Integrative Medicine Programs) I have returned to Romania to start an ambitious project of transforming the Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Program at the Babes-Bolyai University (BBU) into an influential one worldwide. It was a difficult decision because I had to choose between continuing a promising academic career in USA or returning to Romania to start a new project. After serious deliberation I decided to return in Romania because the Babes-Bolyai University was very supportive and willing to invest significant resources in the development of such a program. In order to accomplish these aims in Romania, first I have involved my collaborators from the USA in my activities at the BBU, and second, I have strived to turn this program into a “school of excellence” for the new generations of clinical professionals, taking advantage of the expertise I had gained during my studies and work at prestigious international institutions. I made no compromise from high quality standards in teaching, research, and clinical practice, which although proved to be challenging for me on the short run – as it generated some initial animosities towards the planned reform and the new standards - paid off on medium and long term. From the beginning of this project I have been fully supported both by my University and my former collaborators.

Now, we are in a phase where we have met most of our objectives (see www.psychotherapy.ro) and thus, it is time to honor the scientist who has inspired me throughout my career and who has been a constant support in my activities here at the BBU.

By founding the “Aaron T. Beck Professorship”, the Babes-Bolyai University honors a scientist who transformed the understanding and treatment of a wide range of psychological and psychiatric conditions. Psychoanalytic theory dominated the clinical field until Professor Aaron T. Beck devised cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy has become a mainstay in the practices of mental health practitioners all over the world. The American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association's guidelines present cognitive behavioral therapy (an offshoot of cognitive therapy) as one of the best-validated psychotherapies for mental disorders. Health systems throughout Europe recommend it for treating a number of common psychological and psychiatric disorders. Cognitive therapy has proven as effective as medication in treating depression and even more effective in reducing relapse and recurrence. Professor Aaron T. Beck's development of cognitive therapy and his discovery that it effectively treats many mental disorders has major public health significance. Countless people owe their well-being - and even their lives - to Professor Aaron T. Beck's work. Indeed, Professor Aaron T. Beck has made a huge impact on untold numbers of individuals, relieving immeasurable amounts of pain and suffering. According to a recent survey by the “Psychotherapy Networker” (2007) he is considered the most influential living therapist and he has also been named, in separate instances, one of the "Americans in history who shaped the face of American Psychiatry" and one of the "five most influential psychotherapists of all times." He has been awarded the 2006 Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research; the Lasker, regarded as “America’s Nobel” in some circles, is considered the USA’s most important honor for outstanding contributions to basic and clinical medical research.

Having briefly introduced Professor Aaron T. Beck, let me now briefly highlight the past and present of the Babes-Bolyai University, to understand how I see the future of the “Aaron T. Beck Professorship” at this university. Throughout the modern era, the Babes-Bolyai University has been the focal point of attention as the actual highlight of the Transylvanian academic life. The present-day BBU makes good use of a long history, starting in 1581 with a Jesuit College, and has recorded changes throughout the complex history of our country and of Central Europe. International level achievements were reached throughout the University’s history (e.g., the publication of the first comparative literature review in the world; the initiation of the logics of interrogation; contributions to the foundation of cosmic flight; the invention of multiple phone systems; the bases of biospeology, etc.). The present-day BBU is aware of the value of this inheritance and of the universal character of university performance criteria. With over 45,500 students enrolled in different levels of study (short and long-term bachelor studies, master degree studies, doctoral studies, post-doctoral studies) and types of education (including distance learning), with 21 faculties, 116 specializations, and 98 departments, the BBU has become one of the most comprehensive universities in Romania and in Central and Eastern Europe. Providing complete studies in Romanian (for 105 specializations), in Hungarian (for 52 specializations) and in German (for 13 specializations), and with departments for training students in widely-spoken languages (English, French, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese), in other modern languages (Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Ukrainian, Polish, Slovakian), in the main Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean), the BBU offers varied opportunities for language training. The ancient language of the Jews is now systematically studied, and thus the range of classical languages (¬Greek and Latin, having a longstanding tradition in Cluj)¬ is now complete. With its four theology departments, ¬ Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic and Reformed, representing the seven Christian denominations in Transylvania, ¬ our University offers singular opportunities for the study of theology. Taking into account the achievements of the Institute for Jewish Studies (1995) of the university it can be said, with good reason, that the BBU is the place where the Judeo-Christian foundations of civilization can be studied in a comprehensive manner. Emerged within cultural trends having their origins in Western Europe and recording changes throughout the European evolution, the BBU is now trying to embody the standards of performance of scientific and academic organizations of present-day Europe. The accent on evidence-based knowledge, the promotion of experimental research, the support of academic freedom and critical thinking, the prevalence given to a better argumentation, the encouragement of competition, the respect for civic and moral values of the free world are among its chosen values.

I am happy that such a prestigious University founded the “Aaron T. Beck Professorship” in recognition of Dr. Beck’s tremendous scientific accomplishments and of his strong and continuing support for the development of cognitive therapy and evidence-based clinical practice here at the Babes-Bolyai University.

I thank Professor Aaron T. Beck for accepting the establishment of an “Aaron T. Beck Professorship” here at the Babes-Bolyai University. I am also happy that my University and my colleagues have appointed me to occupy this important position and that Professor Beck has fully endorsed this appointment. In his endorsement letter he mentions, “…I would be pleased to accept having the professorship named after me. Actually, I do consider you one of the most knowledgeable people in regard to the basic science underlying cognitive therapy as well as the rest of the cognitive psychology literature, including learning theory.  I am pleased to know that you are the recipient of this professorship…”. Such a recommendation is highly honoring but also an obligating one! Taking into account the prestige of Professor Aaron T. Beck and of the Babes-Bolyai University, I feel I have an immense responsibility in initiating and maintaining this position of academic excellence at the highest standards of academic, research, and professional practice, which I hope will become a long lasting tradition at the Babes-Bolyai University.

I promise I will do my best! Thank you!

Yours respectfully,
Daniel DAVID, Ph.D.
Babes-Bolyai University

For more information on Dr. Aaron T. Beck see:
•    http://mail.med.upenn.edu/~abeck/
•    http://www.beckinstitute.org

For more information on Dr. Daniel David see:
•    http://www.psychotherapy.ro/content/view/44/72/
•    http://edu.presidency.ro

For more information on cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy see:
•    www.eabct.org
•    www.aabt.org

For more information on evidence-based clinical practice see:
•    www.apa.org
•    www.psych.org and www.nice.org.uk

For more information on the Babes-Bolyai University see:
•    www.ubbcluj.ro
•    www.psychotherapy.ro and www.clinicalpsychology.ro