Archive for category: In the spotlight

In the spotlight

International Symposium “Innovative Approaches in Interdisciplinary Training of IT Professionals”

The Department of Socio-Human Sciences within the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics invites teachers, researchers, doctoral students and IT professionals to participate in the International Symposium “Innovative Approaches in the Interdisciplinary Training of IT Professionals”, an event dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration in the education of information technology specialists.
The event will take place on September 17-18, 2026, 10:00 am, Department of Socio-Human Sciences, Chisinau, 9/7 Studentiţilor Street, Building no. 3
In the context of accelerated transformations generated by digitalization, artificial intelligence and global interconnection, the training of IT professionals requires not only advanced technical skills, but also the integration of social, ethical and legal dimensions in the decision-making process. The symposium aims to provide an academic framework for debating these issues and for identifying innovative educational models, oriented towards social responsibility, critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The event will facilitate the exchange of ideas between academia and the professional world, contributing to the development of IT education adapted to contemporary challenges and the future of the labor market.

Proposed workshop topics:

  1. Philosophy of Physical Sciences
  2. Philosophy of Social Sciences and Cognitive Sciences
  3. History and Social Studies of Science
  4. Integrating the Humanities into the IT Curriculum: Critical Thinking, Ethics, Social Responsibility, Educational Models and Best Practices
  5. Artificial Intelligence and Its Social Impact: Educational and Professional Challenges
  6. Communication and Collaboration Skills for IT Specialists in Interdisciplinary Teams
  7. Digital Education and Information Security: Interdisciplinary Approaches
  8. Algorithms, Data and Decision: Technical, Ethical and Legal Dimensions
  9. Preparing IT Professionals for the Future Labor Market: Transversal Skills and Adaptability

Important Deadlines:

May 31, 2026: Abstract Submission (Romanian and English); up to 300 words, according to the form below; form link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLzQEvqlALk6AAcYoGdPgQZxKY1b2bZbdXDTQExBk1DmFLBQ/viewform

June 5, 2026: confirmation of participation from the organizers

July 31, 2026: submission of the article (5-7 pages), according to the form below. Form link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUhaHMsRc08mDfD8g_PiQMGrKE7C9ll6MT4dlzYsyTlX4wvg/viewform?usp=header

We invite researchers, teachers, PhD students, trainers and IT professionals interested in sending their abstract and article to the following email addresses:

Ecaterina Lozovanu, PhD, Associate Professor: ecaterina.lozovanu@ssu.utm.md

Dina Barcari, PhD, university lecturer: dina.barcari@ssu.utm.md

The symposium is organized within the framework of the Project “Synergy of humanities and engineering fields in the training of IT professionals through innovative interdisciplinary training approaches”, code: 25.80012.0807.54SE, funded by ANCD.

FCIM students promoted online safety among students from the “Ion Luca Caragiale” Gymnasium

On Internet Safety Day, an educational activity dedicated to primary school students was held at the “Ion Luca Caragiale” Gymnasium in the municipality of Chisinau, focused on developing responsible online behavior.
The activity was supported by students of the Information Security study program within the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics (FCIM).
Adrian Angheluș, a graduate of the “Ion Luca Caragiale” Gymnasium, returned to the institution where he studied, this time as a student, together with his colleagues Buza Alin and Cristioglo Alexandru (SI-253 group).
They discussed with the students simple but important rules for internet safety, such as protecting personal data, responsible communication in the online environment, avoiding interactions with unknown people and the importance of asking for help from an adult when unclear situations arise.
To make the messages easier to understand, the students also presented the educational cybersecurity game “Spoofy”, through which children can learn, in an interactive way, how to recognize risks in the digital environment. The game is used as an educational tool in promoting cyber hygiene, and among the collaborators involved in its promotion is UTM Cybercor.
The activity was carried out with the support of the head of the Information Security study program, Astafi Valentina, and the deputy head of the Department of Software and Automation Engineering, Cojocaru Svetlana, who constantly supports digital education initiatives and collaboration with pre-university education institutions.
Such meetings contribute not only to informing students, but also to forming a culture of online safety from an early age, and the involvement of students in such activities shows the important role of the academic community in the digital education of society.

Primary examination of the doctoral thesis of PhD student Rajat Nagpal

On January 26, 2026, during the Meeting No. 5 of the Department of Microelectronics and Biomedical Engineering (DMIB) of the Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics (FCIM), Technical University of Moldova, the primary examination of the doctoral thesis (joint PhD) of the doctoral student NAGPAL Rajat, specialty 134.03 – Physics of Nanosystems and Nanotechnologies took place.

The thesis, titled: “Porous Networks of Nanostructured Hybrid Materials”, was carried out within the framework of a joint doctorate (joint doctorate) between the Technical University of Moldova and the University of Kiel (Germany), for the award of the titles of Doctor of Physical Sciences and Doctor of Engineering.

Scientific leadership:

  • prof. univ., dr. hab. Oleg LUPAN – Technical University of Moldova
  • prof. univ., dr. Rainer ADELUNG – University of Kiel

Supervisors:

  • prof. univ., dr. hab. Artur Buzdugan
  • assoc. univ., dr. Nicolai Ababii
  • assoc. univ., dr. Vasile Crețu

The doctoral thesis addresses the development and characterization of nanostructured hybrid structures based on MOFs (ZIFs) and metal oxides, with applications in the selective detection of hydrogen and volatile organic compounds, including under adverse environmental conditions. The results obtained demonstrate relevant structure–properties–performance correlations and a high application potential in the field of gas sensors.

Scientific results:

  • 23 scientific publications, of which 14 SCOPUS indexed, including 12 ISI
  •  1 patent
  •  40 SCOPUS citations, H-index: 4

Following the presentation and scientific discussions, the thesis was positively assessed, and the doctoral student successfully passed the primary examination stage, being recommended for the next stage – the Profile Scientific Seminar.

Congratulations to doctoral student Rajat Nagpal for successfully passing the primary examination stage of his doctoral thesis!
We wish him continued success in his academic and professional career, as well as remarkable achievements in research and innovation.

A new class of master’s degree graduates at the Department of Software Engineering and Automation

During January 19–28, 2026, at the Department of Software Engineering and Automation, Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics, Technical University of Moldova, public defenses of master’s theses for the Information Security, Software Engineering and Information Technology study programs took place.
In the Information Security program, 15 students defended their papers before the evaluation committee, coordinated by Țușca Andrei, Head of IT Security and Business Continuity Service at BC MAIB SA. The topics addressed concerned organizational information security, cyber risk management, data protection and ensuring operational continuity.
For the Software Engineering program, the defenses brought together 18 students, the papers being evaluated by the committee led by Oașerele Olesea, Portfolio Director at Amadaris SRL. The theses reflected current concerns in the field of software engineering, including application design and architecture, information systems development and software quality assurance.
The Information Technology program registered the participation of 27 students, the presentations being evaluated by the committee coordinated by Caterenciuc Artiom, an expert in information and communications technology, senior category, within M-Testing SRL. The topic of the papers highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the program, focused on applied computer solutions, information systems and modern digital technologies.
The management of the CIM faculty and the staff of the ISA Department would like to thank all members and chairmen of the evaluation committees for the professionalism, expertise and openness shown in the evaluation process, contributing to ensuring the quality of the academic act.
Sincere congratulations to the graduating students for the effort made and for the level of preparation demonstrated during the public presentations. Completing the master’s degree represents an important step in the professional path and opens up new development opportunities in the field of information technologies.

 

Completion of Master’s studies: a new class of graduates of the “Computers and Information Networks” program

During January 26-27, 2026, at the Department of Informatics and Systems Engineering, the public defense of the master’s theses for the “Computers and Information Networks” study program was held.

The event represented the final stage of the master’s training, offering graduates the opportunity to capitalize on the results of their research and development activities carried out during their studies. The defenses took place in public, in front of the Master’s Commission formed by the teaching staff, associate professor, Dr. Sudacevschi Viorica, associate professor, Dr. Ababii Victor, associate professor, Dr. Moraru Victor and lecturer, Dr. Cărbune Viorel and the President of the Commission Pantaz Gheorghe, founder of SmartGov LLC and consultant in the field of Digital Government.

The 19 graduate students presented their papers in which they described the objectives pursued, the methodologies applied, the proposed solutions and the results obtained. The presentations were followed by question sessions, which allowed the assessment of the level of scientific argumentation, technical correctness and applicability of the implemented solutions.

The topic of the theses reflected the current trends in the IT field and the orientation of the Computers and Information Networks program towards advanced technologies and applications with real impact. A special interest was given to cybersecurity, addressing topics regarding the detection of malicious activities in information networks and the prevention of DoS/DDoS attacks in connected infrastructures. At the same time, papers focused on digital transformation and Cloud-Ready systems were presented, as well as solutions for concurrent processing and specialized hardware implementations. An important segment of the papers targeted artificial intelligence, through solutions for automatic data analysis and classification, model optimization through modern algorithms and the use of visual recognition techniques.

Also, topics dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) and e-Health were highlighted, through the development of platforms and devices for remote monitoring of vital parameters, the design of IoT networks with increased robustness, as well as projects with a social dimension, oriented towards assistive technologies and digital inclusion.

The master’s examination committee appreciated the quality of the theses and the level of the solutions presented, which confirms the relevance of the program and the very good preparation of the graduates of the master’s program Computers and Information Networks.

 

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.