Moldova plans to reorganize its higher educational institutions and invest over 700 million lei in their modernization.
The corresponding project of reform and modernization of Moldova's universities was presented by the Ministry of Education and Research. The project provides for restructuring of higher educational institutions and research institutes by merging and enlargement, consolidation of pedagogical education, association of regional higher educational institutions in the north and in the south of Moldova. Thus, the State University of Moldova will absorb the Academy of State Administration, the State University of Physical Education and Sports, V. Andrunachievici Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, Institute of Applied Physics, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Ecology and Geography, Institute of Geology and Seismology, Institute of Zoology, Institute of Legal, Political and Sociological Studies, Institute of Physiology and Sanocreatology, Institute of Romanian Philology, Institute of History, Institute of Genetics, Physiology and Plant Protection, and also the A. Ciubotaru National Botanical Garden and Scientific Library and A. Lupan Scientific Library. At the same time, the Technical University of Moldova will include the State Agrarian University, D. Ghitu Institute of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies, Institute of Energy and the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology. Four institutions with a pedagogical profile are planned to join the I. Creanga Pedagogical University - Tiraspol State University, G. Tamblac State University from Taraclia, Institute of Educational Sciences and Institute of Continuing Education. According to the project, the Academy of Economic Studies will absorb the National Institute of Economic Research, and the Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts will be taken over by the Ministry of Culture (now under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education). At the same time, it is planned to support financially the modernization of universities: 200 million lei will be allocated to modernize the management and quality assurance of higher education and 500 million lei to modernize the university infrastructure and development of educational programs. The reorganization process is planned to take place between the graduation period and the beginning of the new academic year, and the enrollment of applicants will be carried out in the already reorganized institutions. Already enrolled students will be transferred to the reorganized universities during the first year after the reorganization. The Ministry of Education notes that the need for the reform arose due to the large number of universities and the small number of students. The Ministry refers to the experience of Denmark, the Netherlands, France and the Baltic countries, which have successfully carried out such reforms, which allowed concentrating resources on higher education. After the reorganization, universities are expected to become stronger and more competitive, funding will be concentrated on research purposes rather than administrative needs, and a link will be created between science and education, the economy and the labor market. // 28.06.2022 – InfoMarket
