During April 17-20, 2024, a delegation from the Technical University of Moldova conducted a working visit to Washington State University (WSU) in the USA. The visit, organized under the “Exchange Speaker Program TUM-NCSU with the participation of other universities,” aimed to strengthen partnerships and explore collaboration opportunities in education and research.
Led by UTM’s rector, Dr. Viorel Bostan, the UTM delegation included professors and researchers from various fields: Dr. Vladislav Reșitca, Associate Professor and Vice-Rector for Didactic Activity; Dr. Dinu Țurcanu, Associate Professor and Vice-Rector for Digitalization; Dr. Daniela Pojar, Vice-Rector for Financial Affairs and International Relations, Co-director of the “Exchange Speaker Program TUM-NCSU with the participation of other universities”; Larisa Necula from the Department of Oenology and Chemistry of the Faculty of Food Technology, Head of the Winemaking Laboratory; and Dr. Eugenia Boaghi from the Department of Food and Nutrition of the Faculty of Food Technology, an expert in food science and nutrition.
Together with their counterparts at WSU, the UTM representatives explored a wide range of collaboration opportunities, including student and faculty exchanges, development of joint study programs, collaborative research projects, and sharing best practices in education and research.
On the first day, the delegation had a meeting with Dr. Paul Whitney, Vice Chair of the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts and Sciences at WSU. During the session, Rector Viorel Bostan presented UTM’s notable achievements and outlined potential areas for future collaboration. This dialogue laid the groundwork for prospective academic partnerships, aimed at supporting the continuous advancement of technical engineering higher education in the Republic of Moldova.
The following day brought a fascinating journey into the world of wine at the Albert Ravenholt Research & Teaching Vineyard on the WSU Tri-Cities campus. Dr. Bhaskar Bondada from the WSU Wine Science Center led the tour, providing insights into vine cultivation practices in this educational vineyard. Since its establishment in June 2007, this vineyard has been home to over 200 grape varieties, including popular ones like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling, playing a crucial role in Washington’s wine industry.
Washington is the second-largest producer of premium wines and the largest producer of grapes for juice in the United States, generating over $4.8 billion annually. To sustain the state’s 850 wineries and 50,000 acres of wine grapes, WSU collaborates with the wine and grape industry to develop and enhance world-class research, outreach, and education programs. The Wine Science Center, spanning 40,000 square meters, houses state-of-the-art teaching and research wineries, laboratories, meeting rooms for industry representatives, students, and researchers worldwide. Alongside WSU Pullman and the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) in Prosser, the Wine Science Center offers hands-on opportunities for individuals interested in obtaining degrees and professional certificates in grape cultivation and winemaking.
A highlight of the visit was the tour of the Roza vineyard, where Dr. Markus Keller, Professor of Viticulture, showcased the automated heat stress mitigation systems developed at IAREC. This fascinating demonstration portrayed how Artificial Intelligence, sensors, and advanced technologies can revolutionize vineyard practices, from irrigation to cooling and growth management. The ongoing efforts of WSU researchers to fully automate these processes hold promising implications for the future of winemaking.
The visit concluded with an exciting finale at L’Ecole N° 41, a charming family-owned winery nestled in the picturesque Walla Walla Valley since 1983. Here, the delegation tasted exceptional wines, appreciating the craftsmanship and dedication of the producers. Recognized 17 times by Wine & Spirits Magazine as one of the top 100 wineries of the year, L’Ecole 41 served as a source of inspiration for the UTM delegation. Their aspiration is to promote excellence in wine education and contribute to the growth of Moldova’s wine industry.
The visit to WSU has opened new horizons for collaboration in education and research. The exchange of best practices and experience promises to make a substantial impact on UTM’s modernization efforts and propel technical engineering education in the Republic of Moldova to new heights.
