#DIZisITDays 2025: Advancing Digital Skills and Innovation

The #DIZisITDays event, held on February 27-28, 2025, in Iași, Romania, brought together students, industry leaders, and researchers to explore cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and manufacturing analytics.

Organized by MERIT project partners Digital Innovation Zone EDIH (DIZ) & Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) together with national Romanian leaders in industry Expertware, Orange, INFOSEC and Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi (TUIASI), the event attracted over 90 participants in attendance encouraging discussions on the digital skills needed for innovation and future workforce development.

MERIT played a key role in shaping the discussions at #DIZisITDays, FBK had a major contribution with expertise and insights that enriched training session and the innovation breakfast on cybersecurity. As part of the event, Muhammad Imran (FBK) led two dedicated training sessions under the MERIT initiative. During the Innovation Breakfast on Cybersecurity, Umberto Morelli and Muhammad Imran shared results from MERIT’s research on technology trends and the evolving skills landscape, offering valuable perspectives on the competencies needed to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Event Agenda

Training sessions (27.02.2025) – The event opened with exclusive training sessions led by Muhammad Imran (FBK), covering:

“The Future of Work in the Age of Generative AI” – Exploring the impact of AI on organizations and human creativity.
“Why Manufacturing Analytics Matters” – Addressing the role of AI-powered analytics in industrial efficiency.

These sessions engaged company representatives, professors, and students, reinforcing the value of AI-driven solutions.

Innovation Breakfast on Cybersecurity (28.03.2025) – Day two featured a cybersecurity-focused discussion, initiated by Cristina Baghiu (DIZ) and featuring expert insights from:

Tiberiu Baraboi (Expertware): Proactive cybersecurity strategies and SIEMBIOT platform.
Ioan Constantin (Orange): The significance of tech transfer in cybersecurity.
Marius Hărățău (INFOSEC): The implications of the NIS2 directive.
Cătălin Mironeanu (TUIASI): The importance of aligning the academia with the industry and foster collaboration.

Experts also addressed the cybersecurity skills gap, emphasizing the need for enhanced training and workforce readiness.

Key Takeaways & Future Directions

#DIZisITDays highlights the need for industry-academia collaboration in preparing the future workforce for the challenges of digital transformation. The discussions highlighted that while AI and cybersecurity technologies are advancing rapidly, there is still a gap in specialized skills that must be addressed through targeted training programs.

The event demonstrated that hands-on, practical training sessions are highly effective in engaging both students and professionals, reinforcing the importance of interactive learning formats. Industry representatives emphasized that companies are looking for talent with not only technical expertise but also the ability to adapt to evolving digital trends. The exchange of ideas between academic experts and industry professionals also revealed the need for more structured mentorship programs and deeper integration of AI and cybersecurity topics in educational curricula.

Going forward, initiatives such as extended training modules could further strengthen the impact of such events. Expanding collaborations with industry partners will also be key to ensuring that the skills being developed align with real-world demands, ultimately fostering a workforce that is both technically skilled and future ready.

Are you ready to make an impact and contribute to the future of innovation? Join the MERIT contributors network and collaborate with a community of academic and industry professionals. Fill out the contributors form today to become a part of this dynamic network and help shape the next master’s programmes and short-term courses. Let’s build the future together!