The Technical University of Moldova takes an important step in modernizing the educational process by inaugurating MEDIA-Lab – a modern center for digital education, created under the MEDIA Project (number 101082889), funded by the European Union through the ERASMUS+ program (national coordinator – Dr. Elena Simciuc, USM). The organization and equipping of MEDIA-Lab were carried out with the active involvement of the UTM management team, the Information and Communication Technology Department, as well as the institutional coordinators from UTM – Associate Professor Dr. Rina Țurcanu and Associate Professor Dr. Ala Oberșt, along with the dedicated teams within the university. This innovative project significantly contributes to the development of digital skills and the modernization of the educational process, providing students and faculty with access to cutting-edge technologies and advanced multimedia resources.
The MEDIA Project – “Enhancing the Quality of Online Education in Higher Education Institutions in Moldova and Armenia” – aims to promote the development of national education systems in Moldova and Armenia in the field of online teaching and learning. The MEDIA-Lab Center, inaugurated today at the UTM Botanica campus, will become an excellence center for the integration of digital technologies into education. Interactive studies will be supported by modern equipment, assisting faculty and students in the learning process.
The new MEDIA-Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including LED panels, softboxes, light domes, professional video cameras, transmission equipment, teleprompters, chroma key screens, shotgun microphones, etc. These facilities will enable the creation of interactive educational materials and professional-quality video productions, facilitating the integration of digital education into the study process at UTM.
MEDIA-Lab will allow faculty and students to participate in interactive and engaging educational programs in the field of Digital Media, providing them with the necessary skills to create innovative educational content. The project also includes the implementation of a multidisciplinary non-formal educational program in Digital Media, which will be accredited, thus contributing to the enhancement of students’ digital skills and increasing UTM’s international visibility in the field of digital education.
During the inauguration ceremony of MEDIA-Lab, UTM Rector, Prof. Dr. Viorel Bostan, emphasized:
“Today, with the inauguration of the MEDIA Lab, the Technical University of Moldova reaffirms its commitment to innovation and excellence in education. This state-of-the-art laboratory will offer our students valuable opportunities to learn and improve in the field of digital education, which is essential for the future of higher education. We are proud to be part of such a large-scale project, which will bring significant benefits to the educational community in Moldova and Armenia. Our vision is to continue investing in modern technologies that will transform education and open new horizons for our students. At the same time, I would like to thank the team of the Information and Communication Technology Department for their support in the installation of technical equipment in the MEDIA-Lab. Without their efforts, this project would not have been possible. We thank them for their dedication and professionalism.”
For her part, the institutional coordinator of the project, Associate Prof. Dr. Rina Țurcanu, highlighted:
“By creating the MEDIA Lab, UTM takes a major step towards modernizing education, adapting to the current challenges of digital learning. MEDIA-Lab is one of six inter-university MEDIA centers established and equipped in higher education institutions in Moldova and Armenia, facilitating the transition to synchronous and asynchronous online education, providing the necessary infrastructure to develop innovative teaching methods tailored to current labor market demands. We are proud of the achievements of this project and its impact on future generations of students. Within this lab, students will have the opportunity to learn using innovative techniques, which will provide them with the tools needed to become leaders in the field of digital education. The use of MEDIA-Lab for filming the micro-credentials program ‘Digital Media Course’ is a logical and necessary continuation of the project’s initiative, contributing to the development of students’ digital skills and adapting higher education to the current needs of the labor market. MEDIA-Lab will be used not only for creating digital educational content but also for developing a standard of quality for online education, according to the best European practices. I am confident that this project will open new perspectives for education in Moldova and Armenia, and UTM will continue to be a benchmark in higher education.”
Associate Prof. Dr. Ala Oberșt, the institutional coordinator of the project, emphasized the importance of modern infrastructure:
“MEDIA-Lab is a university hub equipped with high-performance equipment, providing a solid foundation for producing professional-quality video educational materials and raising standards in online education. The creation and equipping of the lab resulted from analyzing the best European practices, strengthening UTM’s institutional capacity for developing modern digital courses and facilitating distance learning in an interactive and efficient manner. In a world where digitalization and flexibility are essential, we aim to provide students with the best conditions for learning and professional development. Through this project, we support the creation of efficient mechanisms for collaboration between the university and the economic environment and the integration of the most advanced teaching-learning methods.”
The MEDIA Lab was realized with an investment of 34,870 EUR from the Erasmus+ program, and the Technical University of Moldova made a significant contribution through co-financing the purchase of equipment, design, repairs, furniture, and consumables. This funding contributes to creating an innovative, digitized learning environment that meets the current educational requirements.
Implemented from February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2027, the MEDIA project aligns with the main priorities of the European Commission, such as digital transformation and data-based technologies, contributing to the implementation of a modern education system based on high-quality digital education.
