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Promotion of the Interuniversity Master’s Program “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation” at USARB

Graduates of the study programmes 0710.1 Engineering and Management in Road Transport and 0721.2 Food Product Technology from the Faculty of Exact, Economic and Environmental Sciences of Alecu Russo Balti State University (USARB) were informed about the opportunities offered by the new Interuniversity Master’s Programme “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation” (SI&DT), jointly developed by higher education institutions in the Republic of Moldova within the project “Enhancing Mechanical Engineering Education in Moldova for Industry 4.0 (NeedEDU 4.0)”, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme.

The promotional activity was organised and carried out by the NeedEDU 4.0 project team as part of a broader dissemination and career guidance campaign aimed at informing and supporting Bachelor’s degree graduates in choosing their professional pathway and continuing their studies by enrolling in the new interuniversity Master’s programme.

Objectives of the activity

The activity aimed to:

  • present the curriculum structure, learning outcomes and advantages of the Interuniversity Master’s Programme “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation”;
  • increase graduates’ awareness of the competences required in the context of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation;
  • promote the professional development opportunities offered by the programme and encourage graduates to continue their studies at Master’s level;
  • highlight the added value of the digital infrastructure and modern equipment developed within the NeedEDU 4.0 project;
  • strengthen dialogue between academia, students and representatives of the industrial sector.

The promotion of the Interuniversity Master’s Programme “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation” (SI&DT) was carried out in two stages.

The first stage took place from 15 to 17 June 2025, during the Bachelor’s degree examinations of graduates from groups IM41Z, IM51R and TP41Z. During this period, the project team presented the new Master’s programme, the educational opportunities it provides and the related career prospects.

The second stage took place on 21 July 2025, during the Graduation Gala of the Faculty of Exact, Economic and Environmental Sciences. The event provided a valuable institutional and academic setting for promoting the programme, bringing together a large number of graduates at an important stage of their educational and professional journey.

Integrating the dissemination activity into the official graduation ceremony ensured increased visibility for the project, active participation of the target group and direct dialogue with prospective Master’s degree candidates.

The presentation of the Interuniversity Master’s Programme “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation” (SI&DT) and the motivational session encouraging graduates to continue their studies and pursue successful careers were delivered by:

  • Valentina PRIȚCAN, PhD, Associate Professor, Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations, Institutional Coordinator of the NeedEDU project;
  • Ina CIOBANU, PhD, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Exact, Economic and Environmental Sciences;
  • Alexandr OJEGOV, PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Physical and Engineering Sciences;
  • Natalia PÎNZARU, PhD, University Lecturer, Department of Physical and Engineering Sciences.

The NeedEDU 4.0 project implementation team at Alecu Russo Balti State University presented the Interuniversity Master’s Programme “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation” (SI&DT), highlighting the following aspects:

  • the interuniversity nature of the programme and the cooperation between higher education institutions in the Republic of Moldova;
  • the modular, competence-based curriculum aligned with the requirements and principles of Industry 4.0;
  • the practical and applied orientation of the educational process through the integration of case studies, projects and activities carried out in cooperation with the business sector;
  • the use of advanced digital learning environments and modern laboratories developed within the NeedEDU 4.0 project;
  • the opportunities for professional development, employability and lifelong learning offered to graduates.

During the event, Associate Professor Valentina PRIȚCAN, PhD, addressed the graduates, emphasising the importance of continuing their studies in a context shaped by digital transformation and the rapid development of smart technologies. In her speech, she highlighted that the Interuniversity Master’s Programme “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation” provides the competences required to adapt to current labour market demands and to make effective use of the opportunities generated by Industry 4.0.

The results of the NeedEDU 4.0 project were also presented, including the modern educational infrastructure and laboratories developed within the project, as well as the contribution of national and international partners to the modernisation of engineering education in the Republic of Moldova.

The programme’s contribution to the development of digital, engineering and transversal competences, innovative thinking and the ability to manage complex digital transformation processes was also highlighted. These competences prepare graduates for specialist and managerial positions in the fields of smart manufacturing, industrial digitalisation, process automation and advanced engineering services.

Representatives of three companies partnering with USARB from the industrial sector — Dräxlmaier Group, Gebauer & Griller and Magnetec Components — also attended the event. They highlighted the importance of developing Industry 4.0 and digital transformation competences for the successful integration of graduates into the labour market.

The company representatives emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation between universities and the business sector, recognising the new Master’s programme as a relevant instrument for preparing specialists capable of responding to current industry challenges and contributing to innovation and digitalisation processes.

Thus, the event contributed to the promotion of the NeedEDU 4.0 project and to the dissemination of the results and activities implemented at consortium level.