About the project:
The CROSSCOMP project was a collaborative effort between major technical universities in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, designed to elevate the academic and technical skills required for the rapidly evolving automotive industry. Recognizing that the sector is at the forefront of the green and digital transitions, the project created a unique, coordinated platform to harmonize educational programs, modernize infrastructure, and improve the quality of the regional labor force. By focusing on areas like hybrid and electric vehicles, CROSSCOMP established the cross-border area as a recognized ecosystem for automotive innovation and sustainable business development.
Project code: 2SOFT/1.1/11
Financing programme: Joint Operational Programme Romania-Republic of Moldova ENI 2014-2020
Implementation period: 1 October 2020 – 30 September 2022
Budget: €444,000
KEY OBJECTIVES
The project’s general objective was to transform existing cooperation between the three partnering universities into a coordinated collaboration, focused on increasing the institutional capacity to supply a skilled labor force to the automotive sector.
- To enhance the quality and relevance of the academic programmes by developing a joint educational strategy, introducing a new Master’s degree, and updating course content.
- To upgrade didactic equipment and infrastructure to improve the universities’ ability to provide practical abilities and technical skills relevant to market demands.
- To equip students with market-relevant skills through joint events like a summer school and dedicated webinars, fostering a culture of innovation.
THE PARTNERSHIP
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi– RO;
Technical University of Moldova– MD;
State Agrarian University of Moldova – MD.
KEY RESULTS
- A regional joint educational and research strategy for automotive engineering was successfully developed, based on a detailed SWOT analysis of the cross-border sector.
- A new interdisciplinary Master’s degree program, “Hybrid and Electric Vehicles,” was created and implemented at the Technical University in Iași.
- The curricular content of 15 existing automotive engineering courses was updated to align them with the current level of innovation and the labor market needs of the regional automotive industry.
- Six laboratories and three teaching amphitheaters were upgraded with modern equipment to enhance hands-on learning experiences and improve academic facilities.
- 180 students participated in skills improvement activities, including a seven-day International Summer School and five specialized webinars focused on current car development and soft skills.
- 30 academic staff members received dedicated training in modern teaching practices, curriculum design, and distance learning during a cross-border regional conference.
- A comprehensive Information and Communication plan ensured project activities and results were successfully promoted to stakeholders and the general public.
CROSSCOMP 2.0
Building directly on the successful foundation laid by the first phase, the commitment to developing a highly skilled regional automotive workforce continues with CROSSCOMP 2.0. Financed through the Interreg NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova (2021–2027) Programme, the project runs from June 2024 to June 2026 with a substantial total budget of €849,991.49. This integrated approach, championed by the Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) and the Technical University of Moldova (UTM), is explicitly designed to address the Green and Digital Emerging Trends that are transforming the automotive sector. Key actions include developing a joint educational and research strategy, modernizing three laboratories to enhance practical skills, and most significantly, creating a joint Master’s program with a double degree in Applied Electronics. This next step ensures that the cross-border hub is centered on innovation and real collaboration, preparing students with the high-level, market-relevant skills needed for the future of the auto industry.
More information:
Project website: https://crosscomp.eu/crosscomp-1/ and for CROSSCOMP 2.0: https://crosscomp.eu/crosscomp-2-0/