In the spotlight

Android Development at UTM: a unique opportunity offered by AppsFactory for the future of mobile development

This spring brought a new perspective on mobile application development for students of the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics (FCIM) of the Technical University of Moldova. Through the “Android Development” lesson series, organized by the AppsFactory company, future IT specialists had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and explore the most modern technologies used in the software industry.

For young students passionate about technology, this event was, quite rightly, a significant step in their IT career. Held in the renowned “Grigore Moisil” Auditorium (3-609) in study block no. 3 of FCIM, these lectures offered students specializing in Information Technology, Information Security and Software Engineering (English-speaking branch) the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the field of mobile applications, learning directly from industry professionals.

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With a comprehensive perspective on this promising field, the program covered essential topics such as:

  • Android Development Fundamentals – a detailed introduction to the Android ecosystem and the use of the Kotlin language for mobile application development. Students explored application architecture, resource management, and the fundamental components of the platform.
  • UI, Navigation, and Asynchrony – a comparative analysis between classic and modern approaches to developing graphical interfaces, with a focus on Jetpack Compose. At the same time, students reflected on defining topics, such as navigation management and implementing asynchronous processes to optimize performance.
  • Android Application Architecture – implementing the MVVM pattern for a clear separation of responsibilities in applications. Students discovered the advantages of using Room for data persistence, integrating Dependency Injection, and optimizing performance through Gradle and advanced debugging.

The course was a true transition from theory to practice. Integrated into the project discipline “Modeling and Implementing Systems Using WEB Technologies”, the initiative significantly contributed to the development of students’ skills in creating and implementing modern software solutions, preparing them for real industry challenges.

In addition to gaining technical knowledge, the event was a great opportunity for networking and professional development. Students interacted with experts in the field, asked questions and better understood current trends in the IT industry, deepening essential concepts in Android development, overcoming the psychological barrier of getting involved in real practical projects.

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“This initiative represents a concrete example of how academia and industry can collaborate to provide our students with solid practical training. We are grateful to AppsFactory for its active involvement in developing the skills of future IT specialists and we hope that such collaborations will continue and expand”, stated with appreciation and enthusiasm Associate Professor, Dr. Dumitru CIORBĂ, Dean of FCIM, underlining the importance of strategic partnerships in training well-prepared specialists for the challenges of the IT industry.

The collaboration between UTM and AppsFactory represents a successful example of the partnership between academia and industry. This synergy contributes to the training of well-prepared IT specialists, capable of facing the challenges of the software industry. At the same time, the partnership with AppsFactory emphasizes UTM’s desire to provide students with a high-quality education, relevant learning experiences and adapted to the requirements of the labor market.

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Both students and teachers expressed their gratitude to the AppsFactory team and everyone involved in organizing this exceptional educational event, expressing their openness to continuing such collaborations aimed at supporting the professional development of young people and providing them with the best learning opportunities.

AppsFactory is a software development company with extensive experience in creating mobile applications for various platforms. Recognized for its expertise in Android technologies, the company actively collaborates with prestigious academic institutions, supporting the training of new generations of IT specialists.

UTM rewards performance: Maxim CHIRIAC, an example of excellence

Talent, hard work and an unquenchable passion for innovation – these are the elements that define the academic path of Maxim CHIRIAC, the student who obtained two important awards: “Best Master’s Student” and “Best Master’s Thesis”, awarded by the Senate of the Technical University of Moldova on January 29, 2025. This is not the first […]

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The first week of the entrepreneurship course at TUM: a strong start inspired by the Berkeley method

At the Technical University of Moldova, the future of innovation is taking shape through a new edition, the second, of the Entrepreneurship course inspired by the famous Berkeley method, which started on February 3, 2025. Benefiting from the experience of international and local experts, students have the opportunity to enter the world of startups through a dynamic combination of theory and practice focused on critical thinking, collaboration and innovation.

The first week of the course was an intense one, full of inspiration and challenges, in which students learned how to identify real market problems and mastered interview techniques to validate their business ideas.

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Day 1: Startup culture and team building

The first day was dedicated to introducing the startup ecosystem and team building. Students participated in interactive sessions and learned to adopt the entrepreneurial mindset needed to transform ideas into successful businesses. A highlight of the day were the sessions held by two great strategists: Tanmay VIJAYWARGIYA, Strategy Consultant at Accenture, who provided valuable insight into startup culture and how to identify the most suitable team partners, as well as Emil CHICHIOI, founder of Bloomcoding, who shared essential lessons from his entrepreneurial experience.

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Day 2: Problem Identification – The Foundation of a Startup

The second day focused on identifying real market problems – a crucial step in building a successful startup. Traian CHIVRIGA, CEO of XY Partners, guided the students through the process of analyzing the market, identifying gaps, and evaluating existing solutions. This process is essential for developing relevant and scalable products and services.

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Day 3: Interview Techniques and Insight Validation

Day 3 was dedicated to user research and hypothesis validation. Students learned how to prepare interviews with potential customers, select the right respondents, and ask the right questions to gain valuable insights. Renowned experts, such as Gigi WANG, Industry Fellow & Professor at UC Berkeley, Tatiana COTLIUBA, CPO at Simpals, and Elena PAVLOSKAYA, Founder of Techdoor, provided students with a clear perspective on effective interviewing/questioning techniques and how to interpret and leverage the answers obtained to fine-tune their business ideas.

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Bearing the imprint of UC Berkeley, this course was developed with the support of Rick RASMUSSEN, Industry Fellow & Professor at UC Berkeley and member of the SCET team (Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology), the course is taught at UTM by a dedicated team of professionals, consisting of Associate Professor, Dr. Nina PUȚUNTEAN, Associate Professor, Dr. Rina ȚURCAN and Lecturer Cristina DIACONU. An essential role in organizing and carrying out the activities also belongs to Iuliana STEȚENCO, a 4th year student, FAF, FCIM. Winner of the first edition of the ICEBERG Bootcamp in Moldova, Iuliana had the opportunity to participate in a UC Berkeley Bootcamp, gaining experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

The current edition of the Entrepreneurship course at UTM confirms the growing interest in entrepreneurial education and the need for an applicative framework in which theory and practice blend perfectly. Students were challenged to think critically, collaborate effectively, and develop essential problem identification and validation skills – the crucial first step in building a successful startup. The next few weeks will be intense, as teams refine their ideas, develop business models, and test solutions in the market

The Technical University of Moldova continues to train the future innovators of the Republic of Moldova!