The Northern Branch (Section) of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova was established in the autumn of 2006, in cooperation with the State University "Alecu Russo", Public Research Institute for Field Crops "Selection", Research Institute "Rif Acvaaparat”, in order to supervise the research, innovation and technology transfer activities in the north side of the Republic of Moldova. In December 2018, after the reformation of the ASM, it was renamed the North Branch of the ASM, and in December 2019 - the Northern Section of the ASM.
There main contacts at the Northern Section are:
Valeriu Capcelea, Head of the Northern Section, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), associate professor.
Contact phone number: 231-2 47 97; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Ion Gavdiuc, Responsible for the Innovation and Technology Transfer
Contact phone number: 231-2 47 97; Email: [email protected]
The Northern Section of the ASM annually organizes national and international scientific conferences that provide an opportunity for the presentation, discussion and dissemination of information in the field of technology, innovation and technology transfer, natural, environmental and agricultural sciences, social sciences, education and arts, economics and law and regional development, as well as initiating new contacts between researchers, institutions from the country and abroad, creating partnerships, stimulating the creativity of scientific researchers, identifying and using new innovative methods and technologies, approaching projects and participating in training and advisory programs of the European scientific community.
Over the past five years, many events have been organized and promoted, among them are:
- The national conference with international participation "Science in the North of the Republic of Moldova: achievements, problems, perspectives", organized by the Balti Branch of the ASM in collaboration with the State University "Alecu Russo" and Public Research Institute for Field Crops "Selection" at 25- 26, September. The submitted articles were presented in the scientific research „Știința în nordul Republicii Moldova: realizări, probleme, perspective, conferință națională (2015, Bălți).
- International Conference “Science in the North of the Republic of Moldova: Achievements, Problems, Perspectives” (second edition), dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Scientific Research Institutions in Moldova, 55 years since the founding of the ASM, 10 years since the founding of the Balti Branch of the ASM, organized in collaboration with the North Regional Development Agency, the State University "Alecu Russo" and the Public Research Institute for Field Crops "Selection". The submitted articles were presented in the scientific research „Știința în nordul Republicii Moldova: realizări, probleme, perspective, conferință națională (2016, Bălți).
- The National Conference with International Participation “Field crop studies in the Republic of Moldova”, Balti, June 21-22, 2018.
In 2017, the Balti Branch of the ASM published the scientific research "Sustainable agriculture in the Republic of Moldova: current challenges and prospects": Collection of scientific articles. This collection contains 95 scientific articles by authors from the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Ukraine and Russia.
On June 21-22, 2019, the Northern Branch held a new scientific event: a scientific conference with international participation "Science and innovation in the north of the Republic of Moldova: problems, achievements, prospects" (3rd edition), in cooperation with the Balti Free Economic Zone, the North Regional Development Agency, Moldagrotehnica Balti, the State University Alecu Russo, Public Research Institute of Field Crops "Selection". The presentations were published in the collection of articles "Science in the North of the Republic of Moldova: achievements, problems, perspectives", (2019; Bălţi).
During their activity, the scientific researchers of the North Section of the ASM provided methodological support in the implementation of 65 technology transfer projects. As a result, 33 economic agents became residents of the "Academica", "Inagro", "Inventor", "Innovative Entrepreneur". During the specified period, the Agency for Innovation and Technology Transfer co-financed only 11 projects with a total value of 6600.0 thousand lei. The projects approved by the Expert Advisory Board were provided with co-financing of 50% of the total cost of the project. An eloquent example of 2016 was “Moldagrotehnica” Balti, which received a grant of 1000.0 thousand lei for the implementation of the project “Design and production of CST-4 cultivator for tillage using strip-till technology”. LLC “Bobu service” Hârbovăţ, Anenii Noi- gained 300.0 thousand lei for the implementation of the project “Utilization of poultry slaughter waste and preparation of protein-carbohydrate feed concentrate”. Every year, the employees of the Branch elaborated about 9-10 technology transfer projects, which were subsequently sent to AITT for the evaluation and co-financing in case of the positive review of the experts from ASM Expert Advisory Board. Due to insufficient funding from AITT (only two projects were funded in 2016), the remaining approved projects were ignored.
In 2016, 7 technology transfer projects were developed:
- “Production of soil improver based on innovative technology; "Moldagrotehnica" from Balti municipality
- "Design, manufacture and testing of precision mini-till seed drill for SK6DF maize and sunflower"; The LLC "Ecosorbent" from Stefan Voda.
- "Production of soil improver based on innovative technology"; The LLC "Proeducația XXI" from Ungheni.
- "Design, production and marketing of solar thermal and photovoltaic panels"; The LLC "Ecobricheta" from Balti municipality.
- "Recycling and recovery of used tires, production of various rubber-based waste products"; The LLC "Reenergotrans" from Balti municipality.
- "Increasing the energy efficiency of electrical equipment by applying phase frequency injectors with magnetic flux vector control functions" etc.
The branch organizes large-scale scientific events in order to establish close links and fruitful cooperation between scientific institutions and economic entities, organizations and enterprises in the north of the Republic of Moldova.
Another area of activity of the Northern Section of the ASM is the provision of methodological assistance to applicants in preparing applications for registration of intellectual property objects in AGEPI. In the last three years, the registration application has been completed and 10 patent applications have been filed. For example, in September 2016, an application was filed for registration of an individual combined trademark for the production of a protein-carbohydrate feed concentrate obtained during the processing of waste from the slaughter of birds (feathers, blood, crop, esophagus, trachea, corpses of fallen youth) disease-free, poorly developed embryos from egg incubation) LLC „Bobu service” Hârbovăţ, Anenii Noi.
At the same time, the Northern Section provides assistance in completing the narrative financial reports, monitoring the implementation of projects and the production activity of the residents during their stay in the Innovation Incubators, Science and Technology Parks.
Employees of the Northern Branch of the ASM are responsible for organizing the participation of residents in national and international exhibitions. For example, in 2014-2016, the necessary support was provided for participation in 13 exhibitions. In September 2016, logistical support was provided for participation in CEI "Moldexpo", within the framework of the International Exhibition-Fair specializing in products, equipment, agricultural technologies and crafts "Farmer" 19th edition.
Notable achievements in 2015 include:
CEI "Moldexpo", International Exhibition of equipment and products in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry "Moldagroteh" 2015 (spring), 18th edition, where "Moldagrotehnica" Balti was awarded with the honorary diploma and GRANT PRIX for the project "Design and production of CST 4 cultivator for tillage using strip-till technology" and the distinction at the European Exhibition of Creativity and Innovation Euroinvent 2015, which took place in Romania, in Iași, where SRL “Ecosorbent” Ștefan Vodă was mentioned with a diploma and a gold medal for the project “Technology for the preparation of activated carbon from local non-traditional raw material” 2015.
Another activity of the Northern Section is the organization and participation in meetings with representatives of local public administration, small businesses, heads of industrial and agricultural enterprises in the northern regions of the Republic of Moldova, providing information about the activity of Science and Technology Parks, getting acquainted with the requirements for project proposals for the resident candidates, as well as with the conditions for the allocation of financial support for the implementation of projects submitted for the competition. In recent years, 8 seminars and round tables were organized and held with the participation of representatives of 14 districts and the municipality of Balti (Riscani, Edinet, Falesti, Glodeni, Rezina and Floresti, Soroca, Balti) both in the Branch and in the districts.
At the same time, the participation of residents in different seminars, national and international conferences, master classes, forums, applications and thematic meetings is ensured. For example, on 30.01.2014, residents took part in the "Meeting of Moldovan and Romanian Entrepreneurs", organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova in cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Prahova, Bacau, Vaslui and Neamt districts.
Every year, researchers from the Northern Branch of the ASM organize the participation of students in the National Competition "The Best Innovative Student ", organized by the ASM, the Ministry of Education, AITT, the University of the ASM and the State Agency for Intellectual Property.
For example, in 2014, at the National Competition “The best innovative student”, the 7th edition of May 18, the students Bodean Petru and Bacalâm Stanislav from the Theoretical High School “B. P. Hasdeu”, from Drochia were awarded for the scientific work “Levitation of objects with the help of swirl rings”, as well as the student of the 7th grade of the Theoretical Gymnasium "Nicolai Casso" Catalin Betsivu, from the village of Chiscareni, Singerei district was awarded for the research "Wind Energy - Successful Alternatives".
On May 23, 2015, at the National Competition, the first place was awarded to the 12th grade student of the Theoretical High School „Gh. Asachi ”from Ungheni for the work “Transformation of plastic into liquid oil”, the second place was awarded to Elena Rusu from the Theoretical High School “Vasile Alecsandri” from Ungheni. Alexandru Sîrbu and Alexandru Ciuvaga from Soroca were mentioned with an award for popularity.
