Dr. Ceslav CIOBANU, professor and program coordinator in Economics, president of the Senate of the Virginia State University, USA, recently visited the Technical University of Moldova within an International Fulbright project with the aim of developing a Cooperation Project between VSU and TUM, in reference to the Center of Excellence for Research, Innovation and Economic Development (CRED).
The objectives, strategies, and the Action Plan for the cooperation of the two institutions were discussed during the meetings with the rector of TUM, prof., Dr. Viorel BOSTAN, and the director of the ERASMUS+ University Center at TUM, prof., Dr. Larisa BUGAIAN. This strategic partnership is based on the General Academic Cooperation Agreement between VSU and TUM, signed by the heads of the two universities, in compliance with the agreements concluded during the visit of rector Viorel BOSTAN to Virginia State University in 2019. According to the Agreement, international academic cooperation will be implemented through exchanges of researchers, professors and students, joint research and publications, conferences and workshops.
During the meetings with the heads of the departments of TUM (assoc. prof., Dr. Dumitru CIORBĂ, dean of the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics; assoc. prof., Dr. Rodion CIUPERCĂ, head of the Continuing Education Department; assoc. prof., Dr. Rafael CILOCI, dean of the Faculty of Economic Engineering and Business), prof., Dr. Ceslav Ciobanu presented the research competencies of the VSU College of Engineering and Technology and some areas of research within the institution, which could become a platform for cooperation with TUM, especially in the field of:
- Additive manufacturing;
- Cyber-physical manufacturing;
- Nanoscale production process and technology;
- Machine learning, AI, Advanced learning;
- Multimedia Data Mining, Big Data, Data Analytics, Blockchain;
- Cyber security, biometric-based cyber security, cyber physical security, etc.
This strategic partnership between the two universities is important for the attraction of a larger number of students, as well as for providing more opportunities for graduates to get involved in joint projects and programs. This includes the development of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, Continuing Education programs in interdisciplinary fields – mechanical engineering in the construction of vehicles with advanced IT capabilities; ecological standards in food processing (green production, green certificate), etc.
The identified areas of common interest for potential cooperation with the Faculty of Economic Engineering and Business would cover the following issues:
- Curriculum improvement;
- Development of a new program – “Business Analytics”, Master program;
- Double degree, “Business Analytics”;
- Visiting Professor (both sides);
- Student exchange;
- Participation in scientific conferences organized by the faculties of the two universities;
- Feasibility studies of projects for research programs.
Prof., Dr. Ceslav CIOBANU had a series of important meetings and discussions with representatives of the US Embassy and the Office of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Moldova, and with specialists from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), especially in fields focused on the acceleration of Digital Transformation projects in Moldova.
During the final meeting, the participants outlined the importance and the multiple positive effects of the establishment of an Interuniversity Center for Economic Research and Development, which would create opportunities for students, professors and researchers within joint academic and research programs in the economics of artificial intelligence, computer science, applied engineering and other fields of common interest.
The opening of the Center for Economic Research and Development will provide the opportunity to join the consortium of the five universities in the state of Virginia, USA (George Mason University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University and Virginia State University) and to benefit from being part of two major research and business centers: the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) and the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics (CCALS), which is an effective bridge for integrating education with research and industry. The Interuniversity Research and Development Center could become an important hub for research and development projects, various forms of exchange of academic materials, publications, students, researchers and professors.
TUM rector Viorel BOSTAN has confirmed the invitation for the Virginia State University delegation to visit TUM in 2022 in order to make this strategic partnership profitable and beneficial for both universities.
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