In the spotlight - Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectroncs

XMAS FAF Hackathon 2025: when code resonates with the magic of the holidays

On the eve of Christmas, XMAS FAF Hackathon 2025 compiled code with the magic of the holidays, transforming into a vibrant hub of ideas and pure energy.

During December 20-21, as the city prepared for carols, the future was being written at Tekwill. XMAS FAF Hackathon 2025 exceeded the limits of a simple programming contest, becoming a space where the spirit of Christmas perfectly synchronized with innovation, competition and limitless creativity. There were two intense days of coding, two nights of hacking, dozens of teams and a single common vibe: Build something epic.

Rightly declared the most epic event of the end of the year, this hackathon was a 360° experience: about cool people, brave ideas, inspirational mentors and projects that came to life under the pressure of time and ambition.

Why you had to be there? Because XMAS FAF is not just about lines of code, but also: People first – networking with people who challenge and inspire you; Level up your skills – getting out of your comfort zone to build solutions you can be proud of; Top mentorship – access to industry brains, ready to turn your ideas into real-world solutions; Portfolio boost – battle-tested projects, that clearly say: I know what I’m doing; Festive chaos – holiday vibes, exclusive swag, pizza, coffee and lots of FAF hype. Because End 2025 in style is not about a simple “Happy New Year!”, but about a build, a victory and a memorable memory.

Challenges – the battleground of creativity

The hackathon launched serious challenges, designed to force that out-of-the-box thinking essential in tech:

ELSE Challenge (powered by UTM) – a true endurance test for analytical minds, where logic, critical thinking and elegant solutions made the difference;
Smart Home Sentinel Challenge (powered by Allied Testing) – home security reimagined through smart code, with a focus on reliability and real-world applications;
Architecture Challenge (powered by Stefanini) – building complex and scalable systems, where the big picture was the key to success.
Here, it wasn’t just about coding fast, but thinking smart.

Mentors – the backbone of the experience

The mentors’ lineup brought together university professors, AI Engineers, cybersecurity experts and product managers. They were the ones who asked the tough questions, provided authentic industry feedback and brought that extra spark in critical debugging moments. With such support, ideas quickly left the sketch stage, becoming functional prototypes.

The two days of the competition meant a continuous flow of ideas, without breaks for inspiration, as participants were involved in an intense marathon of coding, collaboration and creativity.

Timeline of an epic weekend

Day 1: Start, Team Formation & Non-stop Hacking. It all started with an electrifying energy. After the team formation, the Tekwill space turned into a brainstorming hive. A special moment was the Stefanini Quiz, a well-deserved break from screens, but full of adrenaline. The prizes – LEGO sets – were the perfect symbol: in tech, as in LEGO construction, you need logic, patience and vision. The evening quickly turned into night, and the night — into a legendary session of uninterrupted hacking.

Day 2: Pitching & The Moment of Truth. The focus shifted to delivery. The last adjustments and moments of constructive “panic” culminated in the morning with the final presentations. The teams demonstrated not only technical skills, but also remarkable clarity in pitching, transforming complex solutions into coherent and impactful speeches.

Partners that fueled the experience

An epic hackathon needs a worthy “engine”, and the FAF community was supported by partners who believe in people and innovation:

Stefanini Institute EMEA (General Sponsor) – the company that proves that innovation starts with people;

Planet Group International and Allied Testing-Moldova (Premium Sponsors) – supporters of technological excellence and software quality;
Technical University of Moldova, Cybercor and Efes Moldova (Official Partners): – pillars of education, digital security and community spirit.

Hall of Fame – 2025 edition winners

After 48 intense hours of hacking, the following took the podium:

ELSE Challenge – Team 9 (Andi BLÂNDU, Mihai CARAMAN, Daniela COJOCARI, Cătălin DÂRZU, Janeta GRIGORAȘ),
Smart Home Sentinel – Team 6 (Mihai VIERU, Vlad POLIȘCIUC, Andrei CLIUCOVSCHI, Dmitrii BELIH, Daniel CANTER),
Architecture Challenge – Team 3 (Igor TACU, Loredana TACU, Ina PANCENCO, Valeria POSTICA, Nichita RUSNAC).

Mentoring and festive vibes

Success doesn’t just come from lines of code, it also comes from the right guidance. The 19 mentors (from AI Engineers to Senior Devs from companies like Orange Systems, Grid Dynamics or Amdaris) were with the participants throughout the event, transforming challenges into lessons and ideas into concrete solutions.

With FAF swag, infectious energy and memories that will last a long time, XMAS FAF Hackathon 2025 proved once again that this community doesn’t just write code, it builds experiences.

FCIM student at the Moldova Eco Energetica 2025 Gala

FCIM express their deep appreciation for the remarkable participation of Plămădeală Daniela, from the Data Science study program, at the Moldova Eco-Energy Gala 2025. The event, held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Digital Park, brought together key actors from the national clean technology ecosystem, providing a favorable platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the advancement of the green transition in the Republic of Moldova.

Plămădeală Daniela had the honor of being invited and awarded in the category “Policies, Education, and Models of Sustainable Development” for her work entitled “Modeling Electric Mobility Trends in the Transition Toward Sustainable Transport,” a study that also forms the foundation of her bachelor’s thesis. The distinction highlights not only the scientific merit of her research but also the relevance of the topic in the context of major transformations within the national energy and mobility sectors.

The celebratory moment was further enriched by congratulatory messages from representatives of various embassies and from the Minister of Energy, Mr. Junchietu, who emphasized the importance of involving young researchers in promoting sustainability-oriented innovations.

The Gala was organized by the National Center for Sustainable Energy and the GCIP Moldova project (UNIDO, GEF), with institutional support from the Ministry of Energy and in partnership with several distinguished national and international actors, including the European Union, the Government of Germany, UNDP Moldova, the Government of Denmark, AFD Group, the Government of Switzerland, Skat Consulting, Premier Energy, and MAIB.

We are grateful and proud of the achievements of our student, Plămădeală Daniela, viewing this distinction as a confirmation of the academic excellence fostered within the Data Science study program and of the institution’s commitment to supporting initiatives dedicated to sustainable development.

Working visit of the DMIB-FCIM-UTM team to POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest within the OPTOCARSEMO project

During the period 24–29 November 2025, the team of the Department of Microelectronics and Biomedical Engineering within the Faculty of Computer Science, Informatics and Microelectronics, Technical University of Moldova, paid a working visit to the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, in the context of the bilateral project OPTOCARSEMO – “New approaches in optical characterization of mixed semiconductor oxides based on nanoscale correlative methods”, code PN-IV-PCB-ROMD-2024-0541.
The visit aimed to coordinate the joint activities planned for 2026 and to familiarize with the advanced microscopy and optical nanoscopy techniques available at the Center for Microscopy – Microanalysis and Information Processing (CMMIP-UPB). The program included a detailed presentation of the laboratories and high-performance equipment, such as confocal microscopy systems, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, near-field nanoscopy and X-ray diffraction. The UTM team analyzed the operating principles, calibration methods, optimization of experimental parameters and practical applications of these technologies in the characterization of nanostructures based on mixed semiconductor oxides.
An important activity of the visit was the participation in the scientific seminar held by Dr. Ioachim Pupezea, focused on the control of light waves, modern optical metrology and advanced applications in photonics. Also, within the bilateral UTM–UPB workshop, research directions of both teams were presented, establishing common experimental objectives, mobility periods and activities foreseen for the next stage of the project.
The program also included a visit to the National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR), where researchers analyzed the high-power laser infrastructure, experimental lines dedicated to ultrafast studies and the possibilities of expanding collaboration within interdisciplinary projects.
The visit contributed to strengthening the partnership between the Center for Nanotechnologies and Nanosensors, UTM and the Center for Microscopy – Microanalysis and Information Processing, UPB, facilitating the definition of common research directions and creating a favorable framework for new scientific initiatives in the field of nanotechnologies, modern optical nanoscopy and advanced materials characterization.

Remarkable performance of the FCIM team, “FalcoNS” at the Machine Learning Marathon organized by Sigmoid

On November 1–2, 2025, the “FalcoNS” team, made up of students from the Data Science program – Maia Kuzmițkaia, Applied Informatics – Alexandr Moroz, Rima Mihova, Andrei Kornev, and Computers and Networks – Anton Scrinic, successfully represented the Technical University of Moldova at the 24-hour Machine Learning Marathon organized by Sigmoid.

The event had an innovative “Capture the Flag” format, where each “country” on the world map corresponded to an artificial intelligence task that had to be solved in order to accumulate points.

The “FalcoNS” team approached complex challenges in the fields of Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Reinforcement Learning, Generative Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence Security with professionalism and competitive spirit.

By completing 21 of the 25 proposed tasks, the team ranked in the top 3, demonstrating competence, perseverance, and strategic thinking.

Participants appreciated the creativity and dynamism of the competition, which transformed technical challenges into an intense and motivating educational experience. At the same time, they expressed their desire for the Machine Learning Marathon (LMML) to become a recurring tradition, providing an excellent framework for learning and collaboration for young people passionate about Artificial Intelligence.

Congratulations to the “FalcoNS” team for this exceptional achievement and for their contribution to strengthening the image of the Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics as a centre of academic excellence and digital innovation!

Dialogue between FCIM students and ODA representatives – on innovation, entrepreneurship, and support for tech startups

Today the third-year students from the Data Science and Applied Informatics study programs at the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics, had the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion with Mr. Alexandru Ciobanu, Head of the Information and Consulting Service, Operations Directorate, within the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA).

The meeting, organized as part of the Project Management course taught by assoc. prof. dr. Ghenadie Negritu, highlighted the grants and programs dedicated to supporting digital innovation and the development of technological startups.

The dialogue with the ODA representative encouraged students to evaluate their ideas in terms of practical applicability and economic impact, providing valuable insights into the steps required to turn innovative concepts into viable projects. The faculty extends its gratitude to the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) for its openness and willingness to share valuable information about financial support opportunities available to young innovators in the Republic of Moldova.

Such initiatives contribute to shaping a new generation of data science and applied informatics specialists, capable of transforming ideas into technological solutions with a real impact on the country’s economic and digital development.

FCIM Students at the National Bureau of Statistics’ Open Day

On October 17, 2025, on the occasion of Statistician’s Day—celebrated once every five years on October 20—students from FCIM, majoring in Data Science and Applied Informatics, together with peers from other universities in the Republic of Moldova, participated in the Open Day organized by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The event offered young participants the opportunity to gain inside perspectives on the institution’s work and the essential role of official statistics in the country’s socio-economic development. The agenda included a guided tour of the NBS headquarters, a presentation of the official website with a focus on efficient information search methods, and a demonstration of the functionalities of the Statistical Data Bank.

Students were also informed about employment opportunities and internship placements available at the NBS. They took part in an interactive Q&A session and a quiz competition, with prizes awarded to the winners.

Throughout the visit, participants engaged with the management team and institutional specialists, who outlined the NBS mission and values, the principles guiding the production of official statistics, and the alignment of these processes with European and international standards. They also emphasized the role of official statistical data in evidence-based public policymaking and in ensuring the sustainable development of society.

The students were introduced to the Paid Internship Program in the public service, designed for young people from the Republic of Moldova and abroad, which aims to deepen theoretical knowledge, develop professional competencies, and foster a responsible attitude toward work in the field of statistics.

Visitors showed particular interest in the modern methods of data collection, processing, and analysis employed by NBS specialists to ensure the quality and relevance of statistical information. Participants received informative materials on the role of statistical data in society and on the professional development opportunities offered by the institution.

The event formed part of the series of statistical education activities carried out by the NBS during 2024–2025, aimed at promoting the importance of official statistics and stimulating young people’s interest in careers in statistics and data science.

An Inspiring Meeting for FCIM Graduates

The final-year students of the Department of Software Engineering and Automation recently participated in a special activity alongside Mr. Eugen Galamaga, Regional Director of Allied Testing, a trusted partner of the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics (FCIM). Mr. Galamaga also serves as the long-standing president of the FCIM Bachelor Thesis Defense Committee, contributing consistently to the education and professional development of generations of young engineers.

During the meeting, Mr. Galamaga delivered an interactive lecture, offering students valuable insights into the process of completing their studies. He addressed essential aspects such as the expectations he has from young graduates during their thesis defenses, the qualities and competencies that should be demonstrated in final projects, the practical relevance of bachelor theses, and the way these works can become a significant advantage in the employment process. He also emphasized the connection between academic training and the industry, highlighting the importance of applied work and perseverance in building a successful career.

The meeting proved to be extremely beneficial for students, providing them with clear guidance on how to transform their bachelor thesis into a decisive step toward professional affirmation.

The Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics sincerely thanks Mr. Eugen Galamaga for his constant support and for his significant contribution to the development and recognition of young engineers.

The Top 8 FCIM Students Awarded for Their Academic Achievements

At the Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics (FCIM), academic performance is a constant value. Many students achieve remarkable results through hard work, passion, and perseverance, contributing to the faculty’s reputation and demonstrating the high quality of the educational process.

Within this framework of excellence, the accomplishments of the top eight students of the faculty were highlighted, as they were included in the Top 1% on the Rector’s List. These students represent models of commitment, professionalism, and dedication, proving through their success that FCIM prepares specialists capable of meeting the highest standards.

This recognition was made possible thanks to the partnership established through the involvement of the UTM Rector, Dr. habil., Prof. Viorel Bostan, and the company Appsfactory, which aimed to convey a message of trust and support for the talented youth of the Republic of Moldova. Through this initiative, the company reaffirms its mission to invest in the development of local human resources and to create bridges between the academic environment and the global technology community.

Dr. Roman Belter, representative of the company, congratulated the students, noting that “supporting local talent is more than a slogan – it is a mission. Your success shows that through effort and passion, outstanding careers can be built, inspiring others and opening new horizons.”

In turn, the Dean of FCIM, Dr. Dumitru Ciorbă, emphasized that the awarded students are “the visible face of the faculty and the ambassadors of our excellence, through the work, perseverance, and passion with which they distinguish themselves both in academic activity and in research and innovation. They are the engineers of tomorrow, those who will carry forward the reputation of FCIM.”

This event stands as proof of the fruitful collaboration between academia and industry partners, showing that recognizing students’ achievements and providing them with support contributes to strengthening a strong academic community oriented towards the future.

We are proud of our students and confident that these young people will continue to uphold the reputation of the Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics, building through their efforts a society founded on knowledge, innovation, and technological progress.

Building a Strong Digital Generation – The First Autumn School in Cybersecurity

Between September 15–20, 2025, the Technical University of Moldova and the National Institute for Innovations in Cybersecurity “Cybercor,” in partnership with the “Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy of Sibiu, organized, for the first time, an Autumn School dedicated to cybersecurity. The event brought together over 50 participants – students, master’s candidates, and faculty members from Romania and the Republic of Moldova – in an intensive program of lectures, practical laboratories, and interactive sessions.

The event was held within the framework of the UNDERSEA subproject, coordinated by UTM’s Vice-Rector for Finance and International Relations, Daniela Pojar, and funded by the World Bank through the Government of the Republic of Moldova’s “Higher Education” project.

Among the participating institutions were: the “Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy of Sibiu, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Transilvania University of Brașov, Politehnica University of Timișoara, the “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College and “Octavian Ghibu” High School of Sibiu, together with the Technical University of Moldova.

The Technical University of Moldova was represented by a delegation including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dumitru Ciorbă, Dean of the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Andrian Prisăcaru, Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications; Dr. Ana Țurcan, Vice-Dean of FCIM; and Valentina Astafi, Coordinator of the “Information Security” study program at FCIM.

A central role in coordinating both the theoretical and practical activities was held by Marius Dumitrașcu, Head of the Department of Research, Training and Partnerships at CYBERCOR, who oversaw the full academic and applied dimension of the school. His involvement enabled participants to engage with real-life cybersecurity scenarios and to acquire essential applied skills in the field.

The program of the Autumn School began with sessions focusing on the configuration of working environments and the analysis of current trends in the field. It continued with exercises on topics such as web application security, critical infrastructures, attack and defense techniques, digital forensics, and embedded systems security. The thematic agenda also addressed current issues, including the use of artificial intelligence in cyber conflicts and ransomware behavior analysis through reverse engineering.

The event featured renowned experts from partner companies and institutions, including Robert Bordei and Adrian Stănilă (Visma), Alexandru Domnițeanu (DMI-Automotive), Emil Cebotaroș and Emanuel Strugaru (Cybercor/Codwer), as well as mentors Octavian Magdei and Alexandru Tocan (Cybercor/Codwer).

The final day was dedicated to a Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, where teams tackled complex challenges in the fields of Web, Forensics, Misc, and Reverse Engineering. On the same day, two keynote presentations were delivered: The Human Firewall, presented by Alexa-Ștefana Josephs (DNSC), and Balancing National Cybersecurity and Academic Freedom for Research, presented by Stelian Cristea, Deputy Director of DNSC.

The Autumn School in Cybersecurity concluded with the validation of results, the awarding of participation certificates, and the presentation of future internship and mentoring opportunities, thereby strengthening collaboration between academia and the professional cybersecurity community.

Innovation made in TUM impresses Europe: 1st and 2nd places at EIA 2025

Against the historical backdrop of the Eternal City – as Rome is nicknamed – the innovation of the Technical University of Moldova shone, transforming the Italian capital into the scene of international consecration. Six outstanding young people from UTM achieved exceptional performances at the European Innovation Academy (EIA) 2025, the most prestigious entrepreneurial education program in Europe, attended by students from all over the world. The event took place between July 27 and August 15 at St. John’s University.

The six students who proudly represented the Technical University of Moldova are: Alex ALCAZ and Bianca-Cornelia COJOCARU (Business Administration, FIEB), Ruxanda VOVC and Cătălina DAVID (Information Technology, FCIM), along with Elena ROMAȘENCO and Maxim IACOVLEV (Software Engineering, FCIM). With bold ideas and high ambitions, they integrated into international teams, applying the knowledge acquired at the ICEBERG Bootcamp.

The program included validating business ideas, field research, applying the Skinny Business Model Canvas method, and defining clear value propositions. These sustained efforts brought them a unique experience, 6 internationally recognized university credits, as well as top awards, thus demonstrating the quality of TUM’s academic training.

One of the most notable successes was the First Place, won by the Pactera team, which includes Alex ALCAZ, awarded with EUR 15,000 for business development. Another exceptional performance was the Second Place, which went to the Alatara team, with Elena ROMAȘENCO, awarded with EUR 10,000.

The international distinctions did not stop there. The Cubelet team, with Ruxanda VOVC, received the Best Pitch Award, thus recognizing the superior quality of the presentation. Also, the Otto team, with Maxim IACOVLEV and Bianca-Cornelia COJOCARU, was honored with the Highest Mentor Feedback Award, an indicator of the excellent feedback received from the mentors, which emphasizes the professionalism and responsiveness of the students.

Moreover. Two student teams from TUM obtained international intellectual property scholarships: Calmia, with Cătălina DAVID, won the Patent Scholarship (10,000 EUR) to cover patenting costs, and Cubelet, with Ruxanda VOVC, received the Trademark Scholarship (5,000 EUR) to protect the brand. Both startups will benefit from free professional mentoring from the international firm Nixon Peabody LLP, with an estimated value of EUR 50,000 each, an essential support to accelerate their path to market. All financial awards will be reinvested in business development, thus confirming the pragmatic vision of the students.

Proud of the appreciation of the TUM students on this prestigious international stage, the rector of the Technical University of Moldova, corresponding member of the ASM, prof. univ., dr. hab. Viorel BOSTAN, a firm supporter of internationalization and education based on practical experiences, emphasized that these successes are proof of the fact that entrepreneurial education and international practical experiences transform students into formidable competitors at the highest level.

“At TUM, we cultivate the courage to dream and the competence to turn these dreams into reality. These young people have demonstrated that they can compete, win and innovate against the best young entrepreneurs in the world,” said the rector.

The success of our students is a direct result of the intense training provided by the ICEBERG Bootcamp program – a true launchpad for generations of innovators, the establishment of which at TUM we owe to valuable partnerships with renowned institutions, such as the University of California, Berkeley and the European Innovation Academy, as well as to the constant support from UMAEF, OTP Bank, Mixbook and Tekwill.

Students had the opportunity to learn from internationally recognized inspirational mentors, under the guidance of Professor Rick RASMUSSEN (UC, Berkeley) and the TUM academic team – Associate Professor, Dr. Nina PUȚUNTEAN, Associate Professor, Dr. Rina ȚURCAN and Lecturer, Dr. Cristina DIACONU.

Special thanks are addressed to the EIA President, Alar KOLK, and the organizing team: Olga REILI – University Relations Manager, Andrea GAZZOLA – Head of Infrastructure & Technology, Jelisaveta OOL – Student Success Manager, for the generous scholarships, the continuous support and energy dedicated to the participants, but also to the team of internationally recognized inspirational mentors from whom the students had the chance to learn.

The students are grateful for the opportunity to live a unique international experience and for the valuable knowledge acquired, which gave them direct access to European best practices and a global innovation community.

TUM’s success at the European Innovation Academy 2025 confirms the university’s strategic vision: training a generation of entrepreneurs capable of innovating globally. We aim to return to this stage next year with new remarkable results, demonstrating a continuous rise.