Between April 27 and 29, 2026, a delegation from the Technical University of Moldova carried out a high-level academic visit hosted by the University of Applied Sciences CAMPUS 02 in Graz, Austria. Held under the Erasmus+ PubCirEco project, the program “Strengthening Education for Sustainability and Innovation” brought together a dynamic community of experts, academics and students for a valuable dialogue and exchange of good practices in circular economy, digital entrepreneurship and innovative teaching methodologies.
UTM was represented by a mixed team made up of experienced academics, Professor Larisa Bugaian, project coordinator, Associate Professor Rina Țurcan and Associate Professor Iuliu Țurcan, as well as young researchers, PhD student Gabriela Capcelea and students Mihaela-Dorina Odainăi and Bianca-Cornelia Cojocaru, demonstrating the university’s commitment to continuity and academic excellence.
The PUBCIRECO project represents a strategic pillar for the Technical University of Moldova in its effort to modernize the curriculum and align it with European sustainability standards. Through this project, UTM adopts international best practices, strengthening its role as a regional hub for promoting the circular economy and digital entrepreneurship. This collaboration gives our students and professors direct access to innovative teaching methodologies and to business models that will shape the economy of the coming decades.
The UTM delegation followed an intensive agenda focused on turning theoretical concepts into practical solutions. The program began on April 27 with the interactive lecture “Digital Entrepreneurship and Sustainability,” delivered by Professor Selver Softić, where participants explored the connection between digitalization and sustainability. They then learned persuasive presentation techniques for business ideas during the interactive lecture “Developing Persuasive Presentation Skills Through Extreme Ideas,” delivered by Professor Harris Gerzić.
The following sessions, delivered by lecturer Xiaoshan Liu and, on April 28, by Safet Softić and Yevheniia Andriichenko, introduced innovative concepts such as “Product as a Service.” UTM representatives worked in multinational teams, developing circular business plans and entrepreneurial support structures, followed by a tour of Graz and a cultural exchange among participants.
The final day of the visit, April 29, included lectures by Cornelius Benekam on sustainable teaching practices within Austria’s network of universities of applied sciences, and by Ioan Turcin on project-based learning in automation technology. The activities concluded with a link to industry through a visit to the WKO Steiermark “Center of Excellence,” which offered valuable insight into how vocational education works with industry to support the local economy.
Professor Larisa Bugaian, UTM coordinator of the PUBCIRECO project, emphasized the relevance of this knowledge transfer:
“Participation in this intensive program in Graz confirmed once again that the future of technical education is inseparably linked to sustainability. For UTM, the PUBCIRECO project is more than a mobility program; it is a catalyst for changing mindsets. We are learning how to move from a linear consumption model to a circular one, integrating digital technology into this process. It is essential that our future engineers and economists develop the skills needed to create businesses that not only generate profit, but also protect the planet’s resources. The results obtained will be integrated into the teaching process, giving UTM students a competitive advantage on the European labor market.”
The academic visit to Austria made a significant contribution to strengthening UTM’s teaching capacity. By implementing the principles of the circular economy, UTM continues its mission to train specialists prepared to respond to the climate and technological challenges of the 21st century.
