Today, in the Expo Hall of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Technical University of Moldova, a special event took place – a generous set of state-of-the-art equipment was ceremoniously handed over to support the practical aspect of training in the field of energy auditing.
The donation, provided by the USAID Moldova Mission and the Embassy of Great Britain in the Republic of Moldova, within the “Moldova Energy Security Activity” (MESA) Project, was entrusted to the Continuing Education Center of UTM. The official document for the donation transfer was signed by the MESA director, Armen ARZUMANYAN, and the UTM rector, Viorel BOSTAN.
This donation includes advanced equipment, such as devices for infrared surface scanning, sound level meters to measure noise levels and temperatures, testers for checking window emissivity, gas analyzers, thermo-anemometers for ventilation systems, and insulation verification systems for indoor spaces. These tools are crucial in the energy audit process of buildings and will make a significant contribution to the education and training of students and professionals in the field.
During this exceptional event, the Rector of the Technical University of Moldova, Prof. Viorel BOSTAN, expressed his gratitude for the generous support from the donors, emphasizing that this initiative marks a new stage in the fruitful collaboration between UTM and USAID on multiple fronts. Previous projects, such as Tekwill, ZIPhouse, Circle, and FabLab, have had a tremendous impact across various industries in the Republic of Moldova and have strengthened the partnership between these two entities.
Additionally, the rector underlined that this donation of state-of-the-art equipment will enable the Technical University of Moldova to provide students access to innovative technologies, ensuring that their studies remain relevant in the current times. This initiative will also facilitate training for professionals seeking to update their knowledge through continuing education courses, in order to obtain qualifications as energy auditors. Thus, UTM will contribute to the sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova.
During his inaugural visit to UTM, Jeff BRYAN, the head of USAID Moldova Mission, brought attention to the renowned reputation of the Technical University of Moldova as a promoter of innovation and academic excellence, widely recognized and held in high regard. He pointed out USAID’s commitment to supporting the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Moldova in fortifying and diversifying the energy sector. The initiatives under the MESA Project, including today’s donation, are geared towards introducing novel technologies and advocating for best practices to foster innovation.
In the belief that students and professionals trained at UTM will play a crucial role in the process of achieving energy independence for the Republic of Moldova, Matthew JORDAN, Program Manager at the British Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, extended his best wishes for success in their path towards a cleaner and greener future. He emphasized the ongoing support of the British Embassy in Moldova in collaboration with the USAID Moldova Mission and the MESA Project to promote energy efficiency.
Rodion CIUPERCĂ, Head of the Continuing Education Department at UTM, stressed the importance of this donation for the launch of the “Energy Audit of Public Buildings and Associated Engineering Systems” course. This training initiative required modern equipment to effectively educate future energy auditors, and the generous donation from the MESA Project team is truly invaluable for this cause.
Grigore RETIȘ, an expert in energy efficiency and coordinator of Objective 3 within the Moldova Energy Security Activity (MESA) Project, noted that the donated equipment will be utilized not only for training future energy auditors, but also for conducting on-site energy audits and the training process of students within specialized courses in the field of thermal systems, gas engineering, and climate control for buildings. This initiative holds great significance as the building sector accounts for about 50% of the primary energy consumed in the country, aiming to reduce energy consumption through the education of energy specialists.
The equipment covered by this donation (comprising 12 categories totaling 22 units) will serve both for conducting on-site audits by engineers undergoing further training in energy auditing and for instructing students in specialized engineering courses related to thermal systems, gas engineering, and climate control for buildings. These resources will also be utilized in laboratory work for courses such as “Thermodynamics,” “Ventilation and Conditioning Installations,” and “Heating Installations”, which are part of the undergraduate level study programs, and the “Modern Techniques and Technologies in Ambient Air Management” course within the Master’s level study programs of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, as well as for relevant courses taught at the Faculty of Energetics and Electrical Engineering.