Romanian Institute for Adult Education (IREA) is a pedagogical research institute established in 2000, which works as non-profit organization alongside the Department of Educational Sciences of the Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, University of West University of Timisoara, at the initiative of the University of the West (UVT), the Romanian Social Bank Banat - Crisana Institute (ISRBC) and the German Institute for Adult Education (DIE), founding members.

IREA mainly aims to conduct research and publish books and support materials regarding adult education, to provide counselling, documentation, communication and information to improve pedagogical skills and managerial practitioners in adult education. Essentially, we offer professional and scientific support needed to improve the national system of continuing education in our country, so it made compatible with international systems and practices for adult education.

The overall aim of the research is to improve the quality of adult education, and to identify ways to increase their participation in learning, and also strengthening size lifelong learning, both at individual and institutional levels.

The main research directions within IREA are: professionalization of adult educators, the impact of new media on adult learning, intergenerational learning and active aging, developing the concept of different support services offered to adults - eg counselling in adult education, delivery of innovative teaching and learning in the workplace, development of key skills, adult basic education, social inclusion and active citizenship through education.

ASSUMED ROLES: Interface between theoreticians and practitioners; Platform for professionals working in adult education using a wide range of channels: publications (books, guides, journal, research reports), annotated information resources, academic events ( National Conference on Adult Education);Adviser for policies in adult education and LLL; Consulting for organizational and staff development; Assessor professional skills.