On May 26, 2025, Comrat State University (CSU) hosted an official visit from a delegation of North Carolina State University (NCSU), USA. The visit is part of the “Exchange Speaker Program: North Carolina State University – Technical University of Moldova with the participation of other universities” project, funded by the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova. This significant partnership has received full support from CSU Rector Assoc. prof., Dr. Serghei Zaharia, who actively promotes the development of international relations at the university and emphasizes the importance of such initiatives in the internationalization of higher education in the Republic of Moldova, particularly in the agricultural and engineering fields relevant to the southern region of the country. The partnership meeting was moderated by Dr. Daniela POJAR, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Finance at the Technical University of Moldova (TUM), who highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration between TUM, CSU, and NCSU. According to her, the project opens new horizons for academic and applied scientific cooperation and contributes to strengthening the international reputation of Moldovan universities. CSU Rector Assoc. prof., Dr. Serghei Zaharia expressed gratitude to the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova for their support, to NCSU for initiating the partnership between the universities, and to TUM Rector Prof. Dr. Habil. Viorel BOSTAN for the invitation to participate in the project. “We are pleased to collaborate on this important project aimed at expanding and strengthening the educational process at CSU’s Faculty of Agricultural Technologies, involving reliable partners who enrich our educational and research initiatives.” The meeting was also attended by leading professors and researchers in the agro-technological field from TUM, Vice-Rectors of CSU, the Dean and academic staff of the Agricultural and Technological Faculty of CSU. The NCSU delegation included:
- Jose Cisneros – Director of CALS International Programs, Co-Chair of the project;
- Chadi Sayde – Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Program Co-Manager;
- Luke Gatiboni – Specialist in Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management;
- Fernanda Santos – Director of the Undergraduate Program in Bioprocessing and Co-Chair of the Bachelor’s Program in Food Science;
- Felipe Carvalho da Silva – Specialist in Cattle Breeding
During the discussions, special attention was given to the possibilities of adapting the American model to the needs of agricultural education in the Republic of Moldova, sustainable business models, and updated academic programs in the agricultural sector. The trilateral meeting provided an excellent platform for dialogue and the exchange of experience and best practices among the teaching staff and representatives of the participating universities. The foundations were laid for joint scientific initiatives, academic mobility programs, and further expansion of cooperation between the universities of the Republic of Moldova and NCSU. The atmosphere of open dialogue and constructive interaction confirmed the importance of sustainable solutions in higher education. TUM and CSU demonstrated their commitment to developing international scientific and educational integration in line with global trends in engineering, agriculture, and digital technologies.
