On December 1, 2025, representatives of the Erasmus+ KA2 project “Enhancing Mechanical Engineering Education in Moldova for Industry 4.0” (NeedEDU4.0) from the Technical University of Moldova, Prof. Larisa BUGAIAN, coordinator, and Assoc. Prof. Rodion CIUPERCĂ, manager, paid a working visit to the Alecu Russo State University in Bălți. Larisa BUGAIAN, coordinator, and Associate Professor Rodion CIUPERCĂ, PhD, manager, paid a working visit to the Alecu Russo State University in Bălți. The management meeting with the USARB team focused on evaluating the progress of the project and planning the next steps, and was complemented by a practical training session with the new equipment installed as part of the project. The central element of the training was the new Collaborative Robotics set recently installed at USARB. Assoc. Prof. Rodion CIUPERCĂ presented how the three educational robots simulate real industrial scenarios in the field of Industry 4.0, providing teachers with a modern platform for the development of applied practical activities. The demonstration of the new infrastructure highlighted:

• Cutting-edge capabilities: the system can be managed centrally via a high-performance computer and an interactive whiteboard, purchased as part of the same project. The platform allows up to 18 students to participate simultaneously in training sessions.
• Skills development: this innovative digital infrastructure facilitates the development of essential skills in high-demand areas such as flexible automation, collaborative robotics, and artificial vision, contributing to the training of specialists for the contemporary digital economy.

USARB teaching staff – Associate Professor Alexandr OJEGOV, PhD, Associate Professor Vitalie BEȘLIU, PhD, and Associate Professor Vladislav RUSNAC, PhD – have already carried out practical tests of the system, exploring its immense potential for integration into the teaching process. The event went beyond the technical framework of training, providing an excellent opportunity to strengthen the inter-university partnership and strategically plan future activities. Representatives of the two universities emphasized the importance of disseminating good practices and leveraging modern infrastructure at the national level to align engineering education with European standards and the requirements of the Labor Market 4.0. At the same time, the discussions focused on continuing the collaboration between UTM and USARB with the other project partners: B. P. Hasdeu State University in Cahul and partner institutions in the EU. An important topic of the meeting was the analysis of the results obtained in the current phase of the project and the establishment of the next steps for the implementation of the interuniversity master’s program “Smart Industries and Digital Transformation” (120 ECTS), developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Moldova, Alecu Russo State University in Bălți, and Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University in Cahul. The participation of USARB Vice-Rector, Associate Professor Valentina PRITCAN, PhD, confirmed the institution’s commitment to ensuring the successful launch of the new program. Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program, the NeedEDU4.0 project aims to modernize engineering education in the Republic of Moldova by introducing innovative teaching methods, developing innovative digital infrastructures, and strengthening collaboration between universities and industry. Through its activities, the project contributes to the training of a new generation of specialists capable of supporting the country’s digital and technological transformation in a sustainable and competitive manner.