Between December 3rd and 12th, a delegation from the Technical University of Moldova (UTM) carried out a strategically important study visit to Washington State University (WSU), Wine Science Center – Viticulture and Enology, Tri-Cities, USA, as part of the project “Exchange Speaker Program: Washington State University – Technical University of Moldova with the participation of other universities,” funded by the Embassy of the United States of America in the Republic of Moldova. This academic exchange marked a significant step in strengthening international cooperation and served as a transformative journey designed to accelerate the modernization of the study process at UTM and align it with the highest international university standards and best practices in the wine and agri-food industries.
The visit to WSU offered participants an undeniable academic and professional experience, while also being a valuable source of inspiration. It highlighted the crucial role that international cooperation plays in the modernization of higher education, the advancement of applied research, and the creation of authentic links between the university, industry, and community.
Throughout the program, the UTM delegation had the opportunity to engage directly with teaching staff, PhD students involved in major research projects, and top-tier scientists, as well as representatives of Extension structures (knowledge transfer) and leaders and experts from Washington’s wine and agri-food industries. These interactions underscored how effectively WSU integrates the three essential pillars – education, research, and industry collaboration – into a coherent, functional ecosystem aimed at addressing real challenges in the agricultural and food sectors. The WSU Extension model has become a strategic benchmark that UTM aspires to adopt and develop.
One of the most impactful aspects of the visit was the in-depth exposure to WSU’s Extension model – an innovative framework for effectively transferring scientific knowledge from laboratories to producers and communities. This structure not only supports the dissemination of research findings but also helps identify relevant research and innovation topics directly from real-world needs. For UTM, which is in the process of developing its own institutional Extension framework, this experience provided clear reference points: relevance, by identifying research themes based on economic needs (a bottom-up approach), and impact, by ensuring the rapid translation of scientific results into tangible economic and social benefits. In this way, the American experience becomes a strategic catalyst for strengthening the dialogue between academia and the real economy.
The UTM representatives expressed great enthusiasm about the vast potential for collaboration with WSU. Identified areas of cooperation include the development of joint degree programs and dual diplomas, the expansion of academic mobility for students and faculty (via Erasmus+ and other programs), the launch of joint doctoral programs under co-supervision, and the implementation of applied scientific projects with direct societal and economic impact.
Beyond the academic component, the professional dimension of the visit helped to strengthen interinstitutional relations, fostering a climate of trust and openness. The UTM delegation included:
- Eugenia Covaliov – Associate Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Technology;
- Rodica Siminiuc – Associate Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Technology, Head of the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Studies Directorate;
- Dan Zgardan – Associate Professor, Department of Oenology and Chemistry, Faculty of Food Technology;
- Larisa Necula – Head of the Winemaking Laboratory, Department of Oenology and Chemistry, Faculty of Food Technology;
- Ion Rîbințev – Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Horticulture and Forestry, Faculty of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences;
- Radu Melnic – Director of the UTM College, Secretary of the Admissions Committee;
- Natalia Șestenco-Diacek – Deputy Director of the Career Counseling and Guidance Center, PhD student in Transport Economics and Management;
- Alexandru Alexeev – PhD student in wine tourism, General Director of Cricova Vin.
This experience at Washington State University represents a strategic investment in the quality of education, the development of modern competencies among teaching staff, and the alignment of university education with international practice. More than that, it reaffirms UTM’s firm commitment to offering its students a world-class education that is deeply connected to innovation and global realities. Aligning education with international practice is not a luxury, but a fundamental necessity for training specialists capable of innovating and actively contributing to the sustainable economic development of the Republic of Moldova.
