“DATA Scientist Challenge 2025” at ASEM: Young Minds Transforming Data into Solutions

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October 30, 2025 – Within the framework of the event DATASTORM – Innovation through Data, the DATA Scientist Challenge competition took place, dedicated to young people passionate about data science, advanced analytics, and digital innovation. The event was hosted in the modern and interactive Student Hub of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), offering an ideal environment for creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exchange of ideas between generations.

The competition was organized by ASEM, through the IT4BA Innovation Incubator, in partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Faculty of Information Technologies and Economic Statistics.

Participants

Twelve teams of students and pupils from various educational institutions across the Republic of Moldova took part in the competition:

  • Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM)
  • Technical University of Moldova (TUM)
  • State University of Moldova (USM)
  • ASEM National College of Commerce
  • Center of Excellence in Informatics and Information Technologies
  • Theoretical High School of Arts “Mihail Berezovschi”
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Competition Format

The challenge consisted in choosing and solving one of eight complex problems proposed by the organizers, each focused on applied topics in fields such as economics, finance, banking, digital governance, or consumer behavior analysis. Teams were provided with real and relevant datasets and encouraged to use modern tools, including:

  • Python and machine learning libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, XGBoost, etc.)
  • SQL for data querying and manipulation
  • Business Intelligence tools for dashboards and visualization
  • Mathematical and statistical models (ARIMA, LSTM, Prophet)
  • Web scraping, NLP, and network analysis techniques
  • LLMs for automation and interpretation

Over the course of two weeks, participating teams benefited from mentoring by professionals with extensive experience in data analysis, artificial intelligence, and IT. Mentors Anatolie Poiată and Vitalie Ursachi (AC Tech Corp), Andrei Erhan (MAIB), and Vasile Fulga (e-Governance Agency) provided methodological guidance, technical advice, and applied consultancy. These mentors later joined the competition jury, evaluating the teams’ solutions with professionalism and objectivity.

Jury and Evaluation Criteria

The jury consisted of six members representing public institutions and leading companies: Anatolie Poiată and Vitalie Ursachi (AC Tech Corp), Andrei Erhan (MAIB), Vasile Fulga (e-Governance Agency), Natalia Kleinknecht (National Bureau of Statistics), and Alexandru Lutcan (State Agency on Intellectual Property). They assessed the clarity of problem-solving approaches, methodological quality, degree of automation, creativity, impact, and teamwork.

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Awards

Following the evaluation process:

  • First Place – A joint ASEM–TUM team of five students, recognized for excellence in methodology, collaboration, and innovative thinking.
  • Second Place – Awarded to the ASEM team and the team from Mihail Berezovschi Theoretical High School of Arts for rigor, creativity, and practical applicability of their solutions.
  • Third Place – Granted to a TUM team for a well-reasoned and relevant solution.
  • Creativity and Innovation Award – Presented to a USM team for originality and interdisciplinary approach.
  • Special Mentions – Offered to the ASEM National College of Commerce team and the Center of Excellence in Informatics and IT team for engagement, progress, and teamwork.

The award ceremony took place on October 31, 2025, during the official session of the DATASTORM event, in the presence of partners, mentors, jury members, and special guests. It was a moment of recognition for the effort, talent, and commitment of young people in developing data-driven solutions with real-world applications.

Partners and Support

The event was supported by strategic partners who actively contributed to its success: the National Bureau of Statistics, MAIB, Innovate Moldova (funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom), and the e-Governance Agency. Their support was essential in providing resources, expertise, and mentorship opportunities.

Atmosphere and Impact

The atmosphere of the competition was dynamic and inspiring. Participants demonstrated enthusiasm, curiosity, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts. Feedback from students, mentors, and partners confirmed the educational value of this initiative and highlighted the enormous potential of young Moldovan talent in the field of data science.

Sincere thanks go to all those involved – organizers, partners, mentors, jury members, and participants – for their effort, dedication, and enthusiasm that made this success possible. The DATA Scientist Challenge was more than a competition – it was a significant step towards building a community of young innovators ready to transform data into intelligent decisions and sustainable solutions.