Sixty years ago, in 1964, Chișinău had the honor of opening the country’s first higher technical engineering institution, then known as the Chișinău Polytechnic Institute. Today, the Technical University of Moldova celebrates 60 years since its founding, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of technological education and innovation in the Republic of Moldova.
The 60th-anniversary celebrations began with the Gala of Academic Excellence, held during a special extended Senate meeting in the newly renovated Aula Magna. During the event, the most outstanding professors, researchers, and staff members were awarded Certificates of Honor and Merit, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the growth of the university and the academic community.
The event was led by UTM’s Rector, Professor Dr. Viorel BOSTAN, who set the tone with a touching anniversary video that captured the university’s most defining moments throughout its history. Over the past six decades, UTM has grown into a symbol of excellence and technological innovation, having a profound impact on the country’s economic and social development.
In his speech, Rector Viorel BOSTAN emphasized that 60 years is a remarkable, yet young age for a university. The next major milestone will be the 95th anniversary of the founding of the first faculty within UTM, a result of the successful merger with the State Agrarian University of Moldova (UASM), which expanded UTM’s academic profile by adding faculties in agricultural sciences, forestry, and veterinary medicine.
Dan PERCIUN, Minister of Education and Research, highlighted UTM’s crucial role in national education and research: “UTM has become a hub of innovation, where ideas are transformed into practical solutions that directly impact Moldova’s economy.” He awarded Certificates of Merit to ten researchers for their noteworthy achievements in fields like information technology, industrial design, engineering, food science, architecture, economics, and more, expressing his appreciation for their dedication and efforts.
Vladimir BOLEA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, commended the merger between UTM and UASM, underlining that both institutions have benefited greatly from this decision. The addition of faculties in agricultural, forestry, and environmental sciences, along with veterinary medicine, has introduced fresh perspectives, particularly in recognizing the importance of modernization and digitalization in these fields. Mr. Bolea also pointed out the increasing enrollment in agricultural programs and their crucial role in shaping Moldova’s future economy.
Nicolai M NDRA, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (and a UTM alumnus specializing in roads, bridges, and railways), expressed pride in his academic roots at UTM. Meanwhile, Cătălina PLINSCHI, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, highlighted the university’s impressive strides in advancing digitalization.
Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM), Acad. Svetlana COJOCARU, extended heartfelt congratulations to UTM on behalf of the Academy. She mentioned the longstanding partnership between UTM and ASM, emphasizing that the current ASM President, Acad. Ion TIGHINEANU, has had an illustrious career at UTM. It is a source of pride for the academic community that the leader of Moldova’s top scientific institution shares such strong connections with UTM. Under his leadership as Vice-Rector from 1998 to 2004, the university’s research efforts thrived. Additionally, since 2001, he has been leading UTM’s National Center for Materials Study and Testing.
Acad. Ion BOSTAN, Rector of UTM from 1992 to 2015, reflected on the university’s incredible evolution over the years. He spoke passionately about how engineering and innovation have been the driving forces of his life, stressing that progress in any field is impossible without engineering at its core. As a gesture of appreciation, he invited the Vice-Rectors who served during his tenure to join him on stage, expressing heartfelt thanks for their unwavering commitment to UTM: Ion VALUȚĂ, Valentin ARION, Valentin AMARIEI, Petru TODOS, Larisa BUGAIAN, and Serghei ANDRONIC.
The celebration concluded with an emotional speech from Maria COLȚA, a student from the Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics (FCIM). She expressed her gratitude to the professors for their dedication and passion: “Thank you for the education and knowledge you’ve shared with us, and for your continuous care and effort.”
The 60th anniversary marks a significant milestone for UTM, offering a chance to reflect on its past achievements while looking forward with optimism. The university continues to inspire new generations of engineers, researchers, and innovators.
Happy Anniversary, UTM – Technical University of Moldova!
