INGENIUM at Digital Innovation Zone Conference 3.0 – Blending Education with Technological Innovation

On March 20, 2025, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași (TUIASI), one of the ten prestigious European universities forming the INGENIUM Alliance, participated in the third edition of the Digital Innovation Zone Conference 3.0 – Where Business Meets Innovation.

Organized by the North-East Regional Development Agency (ADR Nord-Est) in partnership with TUIASI and other regional organizations that founded the Digital Innovation Hub – Digital Innovation Zone, the event took place at the AGORA Event Center in Iași, bringing together almost 500 participants, including students and professors from the INGENIUM Alliance.

Digital Innovation Zone Conference – a Key International Event for the North-East Region

Now in its third edition, the Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) conference has become a flagship annual event for the region, promoting digitalization and innovation. The event creates opportunities for interaction between businesses, the public sector, and academia, facilitating exchanges of ideas and best practices in emerging technologies. For entrepreneurs, managers, and IT specialists, DIZ represents a valuable opportunity to discover new business strategies and understand the impact of digitalization on economic growth and for academia to connect with the private sector and showcase their research and innovation projects.

The conference began with speeches from Prof. Dr. Eng. Dan Cașcaval, Rector of TUIASI, and Mr. Vasile Asandei, General Director of ADR Nord-Est, Associate Partner in INGENIUM. Both emphasized the importance of collaboration among universities, businesses, and public institutions in accelerating innovation and adopting new technologies in the region.

INGENIUM was present in the EXPO area of the conference

The INGENIUM team was present in the Expo Area with a personalised stand, alongside 34 other exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge digital solutions and technologies. The INGENIUM booth provided attendees with information about digitalization projects in education, international collaboration platforms, and mobility opportunities for students and faculty. Participation in the Expo Area and networking sessions strengthened relationships with existing partners and helped identify new collaboration opportunities.

The conference provided numerous networking opportunities, fostering interaction between representatives from the private sector, academia, and public institutions at regional and national levels. The attendance of over 500 participants, including TUIASI students and INGENIUM volunteers, highlighted the growing interest in innovation and digitalization. Students’ active engagement in such events aligns with INGENIUM’s goals to develop digital skills and prepare young people for the challenges of the modern economy.

Agenda and INGENIUM Objectives

  • Dr. Voica Rădescu, EMEA Leader at IBM Quantum, delivered a presentation on Quantum Computing and the Freeya Mind Campus project, which will feature an IBM Quantum Innovation Center. This multidisciplinary hub will drive research and innovation in advanced fields such as quantum computing, applied physics, medicine, information science, and materials research. The initiative, promoted regionally in partnership with TUIASI, will provide students with access to quantum computing resources.
  • Natalie Cernecka, Leader of EIT Deep Tech Talent, who gave a keynote during the panel “Deeptech in Business: Real Opportunity or Strategic Risk?” offering insights into deep-tech adoption in business environments.
  • Piet Verhoeve, author and close collaborator of Digital Innovation Zone, who launched his book “Win-Winnovation,” focused on sustainable models of collaborative innovation, highlighting best practices from Romania’s North-East region.

The participation of the INGENIUM team and students in these presentations allowed direct exposure to best practices and innovative solutions presented by experts in digitalization and education. They explored concrete methods for integrating emerging technologies into educational processes and gained insights into the significance of international collaboration for future skills development.

Conclusions

The participation of TUIASI and the INGENIUM Alliance at Digital Innovation Zone 3.0 marked a significant step forward in promoting innovation and digital transformation in education. Through active involvement in the Expo Area and networking sessions, INGENIUM reinforced its position as a leader in digitally transforming higher education, aligning with current labor market demands, and contributing to the creation of a modern, innovative educational ecosystem.