90th anniversary of Alumnus and Honorable Doctor of MPEI Ion Iliescu

3 March, 2021, Ion Iliescu, Romanian politician and engineer who served as President of Romania from 1989 to 1996 and from 2000 until 2004, celebrated his 90th anniversary.

His life was closely tied to MPEI, so Nikolay Rogalev, Rector, sent him a congratulation letter in which he emphasized that it is a privilege for the University to have Mr. Iliescu as an Honorable Doctor and Alumnus.

In response to the Rector’s word, the Romanian politician has kindly sent his autograph with the words of gratitude.

Ion Iliescu began his studies at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Bucharest Polytechnic Institute, and after the first year, as one of the best students, he was transferred to the hydropower faculty of MPEI, from which he graduated in 1955. He began his career in 1955 as a design engineer at the Institute of Energy Research and Design in the capital of Romania. In 1948 he was among the founders of the Union of Students' Associations in Romania. In 1971, during six months, when he was the secretary of the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, he came into open conflict with the "cultural revolution" policy pursued by Nicolae Ceausescu.

Since December 22, 1989, he served as Chairman of the Council of the National Salvation Front. In February-March 1990, he headed the Provisional Council of National Accord, which included representatives of all political parties that appeared in 1990.

May 20, 1990 was elected President of Romania (1990-1996 and 2000-2004).

In 1995, Ion Iliescu was awarded the meritorious title "Honorary Doctor of MPEI".

MPEI is admirably proud of its prominent Alumni that sometimes achieve success in some unexpected fields.

On behalf of MPEI we wish Ion Iliescu good health and fortitude, peace and joy.