The anniversary meeting of the Humboldtians in Moldova, held within the “Humboldt Kolleg NANO-2024” conference, marked a significant moment in the international academic landscape. Honoring the 60th founding anniversary of the Technical University of Moldova and organized with the support of Germany’s Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (https://www.humboldt-foundation.de), the conference took place from April 15th to 18th, 2024. Scientists from 10 countries convened to explore a highly relevant topic: “Quo Vadis – Ethics of Scientific Research”.
On April 16th, the conference was formally inaugurated at UTM’s Senate Hall. Dr. Peter BUSCHMANN, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Moldova, underscored the essential role of Humboldtians – fellows supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – in strengthening scientific, technical, and cultural ties between Moldova and Germany.
UTM’s Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Vasile TRONCIU, a Humboldt Foundation fellow in the early 2000s, highlighted the major contribution of Humboldtians to the University’s development, noting that UTM hosts the highest number of fellows in Moldova, with 8 out of the 32 Humboldtians in the country (16 physicists, 8 chemists, 4 mathematicians, and 4 archaeologists).
World-renowned scholars like Prof. Ashok VASEASHTA from the USA, Prof. Marian JASKULA from Poland, and Prof. Marwan MOUSA from Maghreb and Jordan, expressed confidence in enhancing international cooperation in research. Additionally, Acad. Ion TIGHINEANU, President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and a Humboldt fellow from 1994-1995, emphasized the role of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in advancing scientific excellence.
Acad. Anatolie SIDORENKO, Director of the Humboldt Kolleg and President of the Humboldt Club Moldova Association (https://humboldt-kolleg.utm.md), detailed the Foundation’s objectives and program. As a former fellow from 1993-1995, he elaborated on the significant support offered to fellows throughout their careers. In his speech, Acad. Sidorenko quoted the words of the German Foreign Minister, Frank Walter STEINMEIER, who underlined the fundamental role of Humboldtians in consolidating international relations and promoting peace and cooperation in Europe.
The conference brought together over 50 participants from 10 countries – Germany, the USA, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Armenia, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the Republic of Moldova, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and experience in various fields, ranging from nanotechnologies and artificial intelligence to biophysics and genetic engineering. The central theme of the conference, “Ethics of Scientific Research,” sparked intense discussions on notable challenges in scientific and technological progress, such as unregulated gene editing experiments, chaotic development of artificial intelligence systems, and improper use of nanomaterials, among others.
The 6 sessions of the conference and the roundtable discussions facilitated the formulation of the Memorandum of the Humboldt-Kolleg NANO-2024, a document that will be transmitted to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the international scientific community.
The conference demonstrated the importance of continuous dialogue and cross-border collaboration in addressing complex ethical issues in scientific research, making substantial contributions to responsible and sustainable advancements in the field.
