On June 20, 2024, as a part of the Multiplier Event, organized a study visit to the Bălți Free Economic Zone was organized. Faculty from partner universities in Moldova and Romania visited Î.C.S. DRA DRAEXLMAIER AUTOMOTIVE SRL and Î.C.S. GG CABLES & WIRES EE SRL, key players in the automotive industry. The goal was to understand these companies’ activities, history, business development in Moldova, dual education involvement, academic collaboration, sustainability, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
Participants explored business development processes, hiring criteria for graduates, and academic collaboration to improve educational programs and research. They also learned about the companies’ sustainability practices and efforts to minimize environmental impact, along with their social responsibility contributions to the local community and employee welfare.
This visit provided valuable insights into the automotive industry’s operations, sustainability practices, and social responsibilities. Academic and industry collaboration is crucial for regional innovation and development.
On June 21, 2024, activities continued at “Alecu Russo” State University of Bălți in the STEAM Lab. Best practices in developing STEAM competencies in higher education were presented, including aligning the curriculum with local development needs and insights from STEAM-integrated internships at partner universities. The event concluded with recommendations emphasizing the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and local enterprises for sustainable economic development.
The visit highlighted the critical role of STEAM competencies in modernizing academic programs. Participants gained a deeper understanding of automotive industry processes and ways to integrate this knowledge into educational programs. Collaboration between academia and the industrial sector is essential for relevant, innovative, and sustainable curriculum development. The STEAM Lab at „Alecu Russo” State University of Bălți demonstrated how STEAM-focused learning can address local and global development needs.
