During October 10-13, 2022 at the Moldova State University, the Roundtable “SMART SPECIALIZATION: FROM ACADEMIC IDEA TO POLITICAL APPROACH” was held within the project European economic integration of the Republic of Moldova through EU shared values: education-research-innovation nr. 610666-PPE‑1–2019-1-MDEPPJMO-PROIECT, organized with the support of the EU within the Erasmus+ program Jean Monnet action.

The final event of the project nr. 610666 brought together more than 100 participants from the host country and abroad: teachers, experts, students, students, graduates – people interested in the Smart specialization (S3) thematic, because S3 is largely about the policy process to select and prioritize fields or areas where a cluster of activities should be developed. Setting priorities, selecting fields always entail risks for policy makers, thus hindering the entrepreneurs to discover the right domains of future specializations.

It was an inclusive and interactive bottom-up process in which participants from different environments (policy, research, business, academia, etc.) discovered and produced information about potential new activities, identified potential opportunities for the local triangles of knowledge that emerge through this interaction. The roundtable pursued the integration of entrepreneurial knowledge fragmented and distributed over many sites and organizations, companies, universities, clients and users, specialized suppliers through the building of connections and partnerships.

The roundtable consisted of the exploration and opening up of a new domain of opportunities (technological and market), potentially rich in numerous innovations that emerge as feasible and attractive.

The introductory session was moderated by the EUSHARE project coordinator, Elena Simciuc.

The Vice-Rector of MSU, Aurelia HANGANU, Coordinator, National Erasmus+ Office in Moldova, Claudia MELINTE, Vice-Rector, Alecu Russo Balti State University, Valentina PRIȚCAN, highlighted the importance of S3 approach for the development and europeanisation of the Republic of Moldova and its how it could positively impact integration process within our country.

The event consisted from 4 days divided in several sessions during which messages and research of undeniable importance to scientists, students and civil society organizations were presented. The conclusions and recommendations of this important forum will be the subject of future research and projects.

Video.