Between June 17 and 23, 2025, the Technical University of Moldova had the honor of hosting the official visit of a delegation from the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University (NCSU), USA. The delegation included Dr. Minyoung SUH, Associate Professor, and Dr. Byoungho Ellie JIN, Albert Myers Distinguished Professor, both renowned experts in textiles and apparel management. This visit, part of the bilateral “Exchange Speaker Program” funded by the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, aimed to strengthen collaboration in key areas such as functional textiles, fashion design, curriculum innovation, and knowledge transfer to the industry.
The visit began with an official welcome session hosted by UTM Rector, Professor Viorel BOSTAN, along with Dr. Daniela POJAR, Vice-Rector for Finance and International Relations. Faculty members actively engaged in advancing bilateral cooperation and representatives from the ZIPHOUSE Fashion Innovation Hub were also in attendance.
The visit’s program was coordinated by Dr. Daniela POJAR, with the active involvement of the UTM team, which helped shape the diplomatic and strategic framework of the partnership. The academic and teaching components were overseen by Associate Professor Dr. Marcela IROVAN, interim Dean of the Faculty of Design, while connections with the local creative industry were facilitated by Carolina TULGARA, Executive Director of ZIPHOUSE Fashion Innovation Hub.
During their stay, the delegation participated in numerous key activities and interactions: they delivered academic sessions and presentations at the Faculty of Design, covering topics such as innovation in functional clothing, global fashion trends, and integrating new technologies into the design process. They visited local companies Artizana and Passer, gaining insights into production models in Moldova. Meetings with well-known local brands like Julia Allert, EHO, Katia Gri, Georgette, and MODA provided valuable discussions about collaboration between the university and the entrepreneurial sector.
At ZIPHOUSE, the NCSU delegation joined an educational workshop and met with the designer community. They explored strategies for adapting local brands to international demands and shared solutions for digitizing the creative process. Mentorship sessions with young designers emphasized the shared commitment to applied research and support for the next generation.
One of the most appreciated moments of the visit was Students’ Fashion Day, an event held in UTM’s Aula Magna. The American guests had the chance to see graduation collections by students from the Faculty of Design, along with collections by international guests from Romania and Ukraine. The creativity, professionalism, and thematic sensitivity of the showcased works highlighted the high level of academic training and artistic potential of Moldova’s new generation of designers.
The visit concluded with an official debriefing and institutional planning session, attended by UTM Rector Professor Viorel BOSTAN, Vice-Rector Dr. Daniela POJAR, the ZIPHOUSE team, and the deans of the relevant faculties. Discussions focused on future partnership directions, including interdisciplinary research, co-designing study programs, and opportunities for international mobility.
This high-level academic collaboration makes a significant contribution to enhancing UTM’s international visibility and opens real opportunities for students, faculty, and the industrial sector. The partnership with NCSU represents a sustainable model of cooperation rooted in excellence and innovation.
