USUST lecturers take part in the DIGISKILLS International Project Meeting in Romania

The Department of Inorganic Substances and Ecology at USUST continues its work within the framework of the international Erasmus+ project ‘Strengthening digital skills in the water sector higher education’ (DIGISKILLS).

 

From March 23 to 27, 2026, the third project meeting took place in the cities of Galați and Sinaia, Romania, bringing together representatives of nine universities from Norway, Moldova, Serbia, Romania, and Ukraine. The project is coordinated by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet, Ås, Norway). The participants were welcomed by Professor Marian Barbu, Rector of Universitatea «Dunărea de Jos» din Galaţi.

 

The USUST delegation included Professor Ihor Kovalenko, head of the Department of Inorganic Substances and Ecology, and Professor Roman Smotraiev.

 

The DIGISKILLS project aims to improve the quality of water-related education in Ukraine and Moldova by developing digital skills, introducing innovative technologies, and applying best European practices. Its implementation is intended to strengthen the competitiveness of graduates and adapt educational programs to the current demands of the labor market.

 

During the meeting, thematic seminars and training sessions were held on the use of digital tools in various areas:

The participants discussed current challenges and opportunities related to digital transformation, shared their experiences, and worked on joint solutions. During the interactive sessions, they used the GroupMap software, which made it possible to organize brainstorming and real-time decision-making. The experience gained is planned to be incorporated into the educational process at USUST. Special attention was also given to administrative matters, interim reporting on work packages WP1, WP2, and WP3, as well as planning the next stage of the project’s implementation. As a result of the meeting, a clear vision for further work over the next six months was developed.

 

At present, the project participants are working on the modernization of educational programs: 25 existing courses are being updated, 3 new water education courses are being developed, and 12 short training modules for webinars are being prepared.

 

The Department of Inorganic Substances and Ecology is actively integrating the knowledge gained through international cooperation into educational programs in specialties E2 ‘Ecology’and G1 ‘Chemical Technologies and Engineering’ (educational track ‘Drinking water technologies and industrial water treatment in the production of inorganic substances’).

 

The department’s lecturers express their sincere gratitude to their colleagues from Universitatea «Dunărea de Jos» din Galaţi, and personally to Professor Marian Barbu, for the high level of organization of the meeting and  comfortable working conditions, as well as to all partners for their fruitful cooperation.