Cahul, July 10, 2026 – The Erasmus+ NEEDEDU4.0 project team – Enhancing Mechanical Engineering Education in Moldova for Industry 4.0 organized an event to promote the interuniversity master’s program “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation (IS&TD),” aimed at graduates of the Faculty of Economics and Engineering at the “Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” University Center in Cahul, part of the Technical University of Moldova.
The event is part of a series of information and outreach activities carried out within the NEEDEDU4.0 project, which aims to develop and implement an interuniversity master’s program tailored to the requirements of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation, thereby contributing to the modernization of engineering education in the Republic of Moldova.
During the meeting, Prof. Larisa Bugaian, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. Rodion Ciupercă, Ph.D., members of the project’s implementation team, presented the objectives and results of the Erasmus+ NEEDEDU4.0 project, as well as the opportunities offered by the new master’s program. They highlighted the program’s interdisciplinary nature, modern teaching and learning methods, collaboration with industry partners, and the digital educational infrastructure developed as part of the project.
In his message to the graduates, Associate Professor Rodion Ciupercă, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of pursuing a master’s degree to develop the technical and transferable skills required of engineers in an economy undergoing a sweeping process of digital transformation. He also noted that the IS&TD program provides the skills needed for successful integration into smart industries and the specific environment of Industry 4.0.
Dr. hab., Prof. Andrei Popa congratulated the graduates on completing their bachelor’s degrees and encouraged them to continue their academic journey by pursuing master’s studies. In his remarks, he highlighted that the interuniversity program “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation (IS&TD),” developed within the consortium comprising the Technical University of Moldova, “Alecu Russo” State University in Bălți, and the “Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” University Center in Cahul (part of UTM), represents a valuable opportunity for training specialists capable of meeting the challenges of the industry of the future.
In turn, Associate Professor Liudmila Roșca, Ph.D., encouraged the graduates to invest in their professional development by pursuing master’s-level studies, emphasizing that lifelong learning is an essential element in building a successful career.
The event also featured the participation of Constantin Guglea, a representative of the Dräxlmaier Group Moldova, who highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities and the business community in training future engineers. He emphasized that master’s programs complement professional training and facilitate graduates’ integration into an industrial sector undergoing constant technological evolution.
Through this activity, the Erasmus+ NEEDEDU4.0 project continues to promote the interuniversity master’s program “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation (IS&TD),” strengthening collaboration between universities and the business community and contributing to the training of a new generation of specialists capable of addressing the challenges of digital transformation and Industry 4.0. The program serves as an example of best practices in modernizing higher education in the Republic of Moldova and in developing the skills needed for the economy of the future.
