The national finals of the 5th edition of the “My PhD Thesis in 180 Seconds” competition was a resounding success for the Technical University of Moldova. PhD candidate Ana CHIORU captivated the audience and won the prestigious “Prix du Public” with her engaging presentation on beta-glucans as sustainable ingredients for innovative products, detailed in her doctoral thesis.
This significant event in Moldova’s academic calendar took place on June 11, 2024, organized by the National Bureau of Francophonie (AUF) Moldova, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, the French Embassy in Moldova, Erasmus+ Office Moldova, and the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research (ANACEC). The competition highlights doctoral research from AUF member universities in Moldova.
The event brought together seven participants, each presenting their doctoral thesis in an accessible and engaging manner, using just one slide, within three minutes, to a diverse and non-specialist audience. The Technical University of Moldova was proudly represented by two remarkable participants:
- Dr. Daniela ISTRATI, university lecturer, presented her thesis titled “Optimization Methods and Interfaces in Organizing Production Systems.” Guided by her scientific advisors, Dr. Vasile MORARU and Dr. Sergiu ZAPOROJAN, from the Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics, she impressed the audience with her innovative approaches to optimizing production systems.
- Ana CHIORU, a second-year doctoral candidate, presented her thesis “Harnessing Beta-Glucans as Sustainable Ingredients for Innovative Products.” Under the supervision of Dr. Aurica CHIRSANOVA from the Faculty of Food Technology, she captured the attention of the public with her presentation on sustainable solutions in the food industry, earning the “Prix du Public.”
Moderated by Ms. Claudia VIȘAN, head of the National Bureau of Francophonie (AUF) Moldova, the finals gathered vice-rectors, doctoral school directors, deans, faculty members, and students from participating universities. The jury included prominent figures such as H.E. Graham PAUL, French Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Adriana CAZACU-ȚIGAIE, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, and other distinguished representatives of AUF, the French Embassy, and Erasmus+ Office Moldova.
The performances were carefully evaluated, and the recognition of Ana CHIORU from UTM with the “Prix du Public” reflects both the quality of her research and her ability to effectively communicate her results in a concise and comprehensible format.
The national finals of “My PhD Thesis in 180 Seconds” celebrate academic excellence and innovation while encouraging the exchange of ideas and collaboration among researchers from various fields. Our heartfelt congratulations go to all participants, with a special mention for Ms. Ana CHIORU, who demonstrated that scientific research can be both profound and accessible to a broad audience. This event remains a milestone in promoting academic culture and Francophonie in the Republic of Moldova.
