Presidential address of REHVA president Cătălin Lungu (2022-2025)

Proud enough to be the REHVA's first voice, humble enough to serve our entire REHVA family

The world is going through an everlasting transformation, especially during these times, due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. REHVA, whose notoriety has been tremendously growing in the last years, now has to adapt faster to decarbonization and digital transformation, to objectives like a safer and healthier indoor (but also outdoor) environment. So that, in this dynamic and globalized world, REHVA must continue to grow.

We say that REHVA represents 26 European countries, which is very accurate, and we also say that we represent more than 120 000 HVAC specialists, which is quite far from reality. What should we do with those engineers who aren't English speakers, who don't understand English very well? They are numerous and sending them news about our activities and initiatives (like the REHVA journal, guidebooks, e-newsletters, social media messages, etc.) is still an unsolved matter in a significant proportion. We need to be able to reach all those non-English speakers, engineers, and architects (and even go over that 120 000 limit), we need to motivate our REHVA Member Associations to be more active and more conscious about their vital role in spreading our European technical advanced knowledge. Also, a large part of the MAs shall be persuaded about our high potential and strong will to support local activities, developing mutually profitable projects, i.e., courses, EU projects, research for supporters, different professional certification schemes, etc.

Nowadays, we are struggling with a workforce crisis in many fields, including ours. The lack of engineers and, moreover, the lack of well-trained engineers for design, execution, commissioning, and operation can become an interesting opportunity for REHVA, considering the massive need for continuous education for HVAC engineers, energy assessors, and even for other HVAC and non-HVAC market operators. This is the right moment to innovate and wisely promote courses for those members who don't have any educational programmes or updated ones, and we need to do it together with our most experienced members. We saw this important market need for education during the COVID pandemic, when REHVA played a major role worldwide, recognized by WHO and by some other international organizations.

At the European level, today, REHVA is one of the most reputed actors in our activity fields. Based on our office staff's intensive and effective work, well-managed by our Executive Director, we will be involved further in new Horizon Europe and LIFE projects. Our operating financial budget will be consolidated.

Regarding the worldwide strategy, REHVA should cooperate more closely with all our MoU partners around the globe and propose the most rewarding actions from which all can benefit mutually. In this respect, the REHVA directors have to pay more attention to our supporters' and members' needs, working closely with their representatives, reporting more often and providing solutions rather than defining issues.

Through this short message I am addressing to all of you who know me best, who have barely heard of me, or even at all, to older and younger engineers and architects, to students and academics, to future REHVA members, partners and supporters, emphasizing my intentions for the next presidential term, 2022-2025, with the following sets of keywords: time investment and devotion, pragmatism and respect, growth and leadership, research and education, loyalty and partnership, innovation and mentorship, fun and joy.

Finally, I am expressing my gratitude to all our prior presidents, vice-presidents, office employees and all those who contributed or still contribute to a so united and strong REHVA community, ensuring all that I am proud enough to be the REHVA's first voice, and also humble enough to serve our entire REHVA family.