The “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Technological High School in Buzău won the grand European prize at the 2026 edition of the international electrical engineering competition “NOARK Supports Schools in Turning Their Dreams into Reality,” following the finals held in Prague from March 30 to April 1. The Romanian team prevailed over the top eight teams from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Bulgaria.
The winning project, created by students from Buzău, consisted of an automated PET bottle shredder, integrated into the theme “Sustainable Future.” According to the organizers, the solution stood out for its efficiency and technical execution, convincing the international jury and bringing Romania this year’s European title.
The winning team consisted of students Andreea Ivănescu, Alexandru Vasile, Andrei Iazageanu, George Arghir, and Leontin Bondrea, coordinated by teachers Robert Harabagiu and Nicolae Toader. Following the victory, the high school in Buzău will receive 8,000 euros to fund the school, as well as NOARK Electric equipment worth 2,000 euros.
The competition is part of a European project through which NOARK Electric supports technical education among high school students in the field of electrical engineering. This year’s edition brought together 92 high schools from eight European countries, including 29 from Romania. The competition themes for the 2025/2026 school year focused on sustainability, specifically energy production and consumption management, energy storage and grid stability, as well as waste recycling and processing.
In the Romanian national round, the top three spots were taken by the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Technological High School in Buzău, the “Petru Mușat” Technical College in Suceava, and the “Unirea” Railway Technical College in Pașcani, with each of the three schools receiving 1,500 euros for equipment.
NOARK Electric is a global company involved in the development, production, and sale of electrical components and low-voltage equipment for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The company is part of a multinational group with over 40,000 employees operating worldwide.