On October 15–16, 2026, the Technical University of Moldova (UTM) hosted a visit by international experts from the agency AQAS, as part of the external evaluation process for the “Data Science” master’s program offered by the Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics (FCIM).
The visit marked a significant stage in the international quality assessment of the study program, aimed at analyzing its compliance with European quality assurance standards in higher education, as well as identifying opportunities for development and continuous improvement.
Over the course of two days, the AQAS experts held a series of meetings and working sessions with the leadership of UTM and FCIM, academic staff, students, graduates of the master’s program, and representatives from the professional sector. The discussions focused on key aspects of the organization and delivery of the educational process, including the program’s objectives and structure, the relevance of the curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment methods, student support mechanisms, the utilization of student feedback, and collaboration with employers.
Particular emphasis was placed on aligning the competencies developed within the program with the current requirements of the Data Science field, as well as on the relevance of the graduates’ professional training in relation to technological advancements and the needs of the labor market. During the visit, the experts examined samples of student work and assessed the educational infrastructure by touring classrooms, laboratories, and other spaces dedicated to teaching and research activities.
International external evaluation serves as an essential tool for strengthening a culture of quality in higher education, providing an independent perspective on the study program and facilitating the identification of priority development areas. The process conducted by AQAS is based on European quality assurance standards, while taking into account the institution’s specific characteristics and the context of the national higher education system.
For the Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics (FCIM), participating in this process represents an opportunity to reinforce internal quality assurance mechanisms, continuously modernize the educational offering, and align study programs with European best practices.
The FCIM leadership extends its sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the preparation and execution of the evaluation visit—representatives of the UTM and FCIM administration, academic staff, students, graduates, and professional partners—for their contributions, sense of responsibility, and openness throughout the entire process.
Furthermore, we express our appreciation to the international AQAS experts for their constructive dialogue, professional approach, and the opportunity to examine the master’s program from an international perspective. The external evaluation visit represents an important step in FCIM’s efforts to promote academic excellence, strengthen the quality of studies, and develop competitive educational programs that are aligned with European standards and the current requirements of the information technology field.
