Mihai Drăgănescu

Mihai Corneliu Drăgănescu was a Romanian engineer, born on October 6, 1929, and passed away on May 28, 2010. He was a notable figure in Romanian academia and politics, serving as the President of the Romanian Academy from 1990 to 1994. His tenure as president was significant as he guided the institution through its transition into the post-communist environment following the Romanian Revolution. Prior to this, he held the position of Deputy Prime Minister in the first cabinet of Petre Roman during 1989-1990. Drăgănescu's academic career began at Politehnica University of Bucharest, where he received his B.Sc. in 1952 and his Ph.D. in 1957. He joined the faculty in 1951 and became a full professor in 1965. His academic achievements were recognized when he became a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy in 1974 and later a titular member in January 1990. He was also recognized internationally, being made a commander of the Legion of Honour in 1971 and receiving the same rank in the Order of the Star of Romania in 2000. Drăgănescu co-authored publications with Menas Kafatos, including the book 'Principles of Integrative Science'. The Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of the Romanian Academy, established in 1994, was named in his honor. He is buried at Bellu Cemetery.