The two-day hybrid event brought together the DIGITRANS implementation team, academic staff, undergraduate and master’s students, and industry representatives, including ICS DRAEXLMAIER AUTOMOTIVE SRL, Magnetec Components SRL, Gebauer & Griller, and Vizitare Climatică SRL.

The opening session highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. Presentations delivered during the first day focused on USARB’s achievements in digitalizing engineering education, the development of Digital Learning Ecosystems (DLE), and the strengthening of partnerships with the socio-economic environment. Particular attention was given to addressing the acquisition and piloting of DLE.

The workshop also included sessions on knowledge transfer from DIGITRANS Student Schools hosted in Latvia, Romania, and Greece, as well as discussions on fostering innovative partnerships in digital education.

The second day focused on integrating research and applied collaboration within DLE, emphasizing research-based learning, the use of digital and AI tools, and the role of industry partnerships in enhancing students’ competencies. Students presented research projects developed in collaboration with industry partners, highlighting the practical application of knowledge and the importance of interdisciplinary learning.

Through its involvement in the DIGITRANS project, USARB reaffirms its commitment to modernizing engineering education, advancing digital transformation, and strengthening sustainable partnerships, in line with European higher education priorities.

More than 400 pupils from the municipality of Bălți and Sângerei district had the opportunity to explore the educational offer of universities in the Republic of Moldova, presented at the Fair of the Universitys hosted by USARB. They received detailed information about study programmes and interacted directly with potential mentors who can guide their future professional paths.

The event was organized within the national campaign “Study in Moldova”, initiated by the Ministry of Education and Research, aiming to support young people in career guidance and in choosing an appropriate educational pathway. The official opening featured inspirational messages delivered by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, USARB alumni from various fields, and representatives of U.C.S. DRA DRAEXLMAIER AUTOMOTIVE S.R.L., a beneficiary of the DIGITRANS project. They shared relevant experiences and perspectives, encouraging young people to follow their vocation, take advantage of study opportunities in Moldova, and view education as a secure investment in their future.

The USARB project implementation team, together with U.C.S. DRA DRAEXLMAIER AUTOMOTIVE S.R.L, presented the DIGITRANS project – “Digital transformation of HEIs education process in Ukraine and Moldova for sustainable engagement with enterprises” (Ref. No. 101127683-DIGITRANS-ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE). Thus, the event contributed to the promotion of the DIGITRANS project and to the dissemination of results and activities achieved at the consortium level

Significant advancements were reported across the project. Work Package 2 has been largely completed, with all deliverables submitted and accepted, marking an important milestone. In Work Package 3, partners demonstrated progress in developing remote and virtual laboratories, reinforcing the project’s objective to modernize digital learning environments. Meanwhile, Work Package 4 highlighted the successful completion of student training activities in EU universities, exceeding initial targets and demonstrating strong engagement.

A key highlight of the workshop was the technical session delivered by Prof Michael Ban from RWTH Aachen University, focusing on the application of Jupyter Notebooks and JupyterLab in data science and education. This session provided practical insights into integrating modern computational tools into academic curricula.

Dissemination activities under Work Package 5 were also reviewed, confirming active partner engagement through institutional websites and social media channels. Partners were encouraged to further enhance visibility by sharing detailed updates, photos, and success stories. Looking ahead, the consortium confirmed upcoming milestones, including the Digital Ecosystem Workshop in Balti and the final conference hosted by Technical University of Moldova in October 2026. The workshop concluded with clear action points and reinforced commitment to delivering high-quality outputs and sustainable impact within the project framework.

The intensive program combined theoretical lectures, practical demonstrations, and software-based examples, enabling participants to gain both conceptual understanding and practical insights into emerging energy technologies. The training was structured around three main thematic areas: microgrid design tools, cybersecurity in energy systems, and inverter design and simulation for electric mobility applications.

Students were introduced to the principles of microgrid modelling and optimization, including the use of specialized software platforms such as HOMER, REopt, and Xendee for evaluating energy system performance and resilience. In addition, sessions on cybersecurity in digital energy infrastructures addressed key topics such as encryption techniques, secure communication, and protection against cyber threats in modern power networks. The training also explored power electronics and electric vehicle charging technologies, focusing on inverter operation, bidirectional power conversion, and simulation approaches used in EV onboard charger systems.

A total of 38 students registered for the training school. The activity fostered collaboration between partner institutions and provided students with valuable interdisciplinary knowledge related to the design, operation, and protection of future smart energy systems.

Overall, the DIGITRANS Training School represented an important step toward developing digital competencies and preparing future engineers for the challenges of sustainable and resilient energy infrastructures.

The training school combined lectures, practical sessions, laboratory visits and industry excursions, offering participants a comprehensive learning experience that connected theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. The programme covered topics such as computer-aided design (CAD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), electric and hybrid vehicle testing, hydrogen and alternative fuels in transport, vehicle diagnostics, advanced automotive materials and the environmental impact of electric vehicles.

Students also had the opportunity to visit automotive industry facilities and local research laboratories, gaining insight into modern engineering practices and innovative technologies used in the sector. Cultural activities, including a city tour of Galati and a visit to the Natural Science Museum Complex, complemented the academic programme and fostered networking among participants.

The school gathered 33 students (20 onsite and 13 online) from partner institutions including Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, Lutsk National Technical University, Technical University of Moldova, Alecu Russo Balti State University and Cahul State University. Participants highly appreciated the quality and organisation of the programme, confirming the strong impact and relevance of the training activities.

Overall, the DIGITRANS Student Training School successfully contributed to enhancing students’ technical knowledge, practical skills and international collaboration, preparing future engineers for the rapidly evolving automotive and transport sectors.

Funded by the European Union under the DIGITRANS project.

The programme combined interactive lectures, laboratory work, site visits, and project-based activities, allowing students to explore key topics of modern engineering education. Core areas included digital transformation in engineering, programmable logic and embedded systems, cybersecurity and digital resilience, robotics and automation, energy-efficient technologies, intelligent transportation systems, and electric mobility. Special attention was given to digital soft skills, teamwork, and innovation-oriented thinking.

A strong practical focus distinguished the School. Students worked in international teams to develop prototype solutions, participated in laboratory sessions with advanced equipment, visited innovation environments and received coaching on pitching and presenting their ideas. The programme concluded with a Student Pitch Session, where teams presented and defended their innovative projects.

Overall, the DIGITRANS Student School provided students with valuable technical knowledge, practical experience, and international collaboration opportunities, supporting their readiness for digitally driven engineering careers and reinforcing the project’s goals of modern, industry-relevant education.

From 6 to 8 November 2025, the DIGITRANS project consortium convened for a Management Meeting and thematic Workshop hosted by the Technical University of Moldova in Chișinău. The three-day event brought together project partners and stakeholders to review progress, address risks, align on upcoming milestones, and experience first-hand the advanced laboratory infrastructure supporting the project’s objectives.

Objectives and Agenda

The meeting opened with the formal adoption of the agenda and confirmation of targets for the reporting period. The Project Coordinator presented an overview of overall project progress, setting the context for in-depth discussions across all work packages (WP2–WP6).

Key agenda items included:

• Review of progress, deliverables, and risks across work packages
• Status updates from partners
• Strategic planning for the third project year
• Financial, quality assurance, and management matters
• Dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities
• Technical demonstrations and laboratory visits

Work Package Highlights

WP2 – Curricular Development and Accreditation
Partners reviewed progress on accreditation-related activities and associated deliverables, with a particular focus on ensuring quality, compliance, and sustainability of study programmes. Preparations continued for reporting milestones and publication-related processes.

WP3 – Digital Learning Environments and Remote Experiments
WP3 sessions focused on the development of the Sharing Remote Experiment Environment (SREE). A dedicated workshop addressed integration aspects and demonstrated how remote experimentation can be embedded into digital learning ecosystems. Next steps were defined to ensure timely delivery of demonstrators.

WP4 – Capacity Building and Training Activities
Discussions covered the preparation of student training schools, feedback mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement. Plans were confirmed for multiple training formats, including on-site and online schools, student surveys across academic cycles, and innovative approaches to support displaced and refugee learners within higher education.

WP5 – Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation
The consortium reviewed dissemination and communication activities, emphasizing outreach beyond the project itself. Partners aligned on upcoming reporting deadlines and on developing stronger strategies to maximize the project’s visibility and long-term impact.

WP6 – Project Management and Coordination
The Management Committee meeting addressed overall project performance, risk mitigation, and corrective actions. Financial reporting, quality assurance for the second project year, and the installation and launch of laboratory equipment and software were key focal points. Planning for the third project year was formally initiated.

Laboratory Visits and Institutional Engagement

An important highlight of the workshop was the guided visit to the laboratories and premises of the Technical University of Moldova. Participants explored newly installed equipment and digital infrastructure that underpin DIGITRANS activities, reinforcing collaboration between academic innovation and project implementation.

Outcomes and Next Steps

The meeting concluded with a consolidated set of action items and agreed deadlines across all work packages. Upcoming online workshops, reporting milestones, and training activities were scheduled, ensuring continuity and momentum as the project enters its next phase.

Looking Ahead

The Chișinău meeting reaffirmed the consortium’s shared commitment to advancing digital transformation in higher education through cooperation, innovation, and practical implementation. With clear plans for the coming months, DIGITRANS continues to strengthen its impact for students, educators, and stakeholders across partner regions.

Focused discussions across Work Packages (WP2–WP6) demonstrated strong momentum. In WP2, partners committed to finalizing study program accreditation and educational materials by November. WP3 highlighted collaborative efforts to establish virtual laboratories at each Ukrainian and Moldovan university, with CPNU and RTU coordinating training and guidance for virtual lab content creation.

WP4 emphasized stakeholder engagement, including student and employer feedback, and the implementation of cascading training within partner institutions. WP5 reiterated the importance of dissemination, with UTM coordinating updates to communication strategies and reinforcing links with industry partners.

WP6 addressed management, financial reporting, and future planning. Key outcomes included agreement on the 2026 activity schedule, preparations for the upcoming Chisinau meeting, and steps toward student internships.

The workshop also featured insightful visits to local industry partners, including Draexlmaier Group Cahul and IACH Business Centre, and site tours at USC’s facilities, further strengthening academia-industry collaboration.

The school was held at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, at Evripos Campus, in Psachna, Greece on April 9-11th, 2025.

The trainees acquired an intensive curriculum on the topics:

• Gamification as a teaching strategy
• Designing Gamified Courses in Moodle
• Guided tour to laboratory of Robotics    
• Distance and blended learning at the Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University Using Gecko Circuits for power electronics simulations
• Demonstration of Xendee platform for microgrid simulations
• The Concept of Digitalisation of Higher Education at the Riga Technical University
• Sharing Remote Experiment Environment

The last day of the School was devoted to the visit at ELEMCO, a Greek company specializing in the design and development of: Global Lightning Protection Systems, Earthing Systems, Surge Protection Devices and EMI protection systems.