Moldovan cabinet approves structural reforms in education, research, innovation

Chisinau, 13 July /MOLDPRES/ - The cabinet of ministers has approved a Decision on the reorganization through merger (absorption) of institutions in the fields of education, research and innovation. The cabinet also made amendments to an earlier government decision, in order to provide highly qualitative higher education and in accordance with the increasing demands of the society and the labour market, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.      

The normative acts provide for the consolidation of the network of universities nationally and internationally through the absorption of smaller institutions, merger of research institutions with universities – with separate preservation of financing for the research sector, as well as directing the public expenses from the higher education and research to the increase of salaries for the university teachers and researchers.   

Thus, according to the document: 

The State University of Moldova (USM) will absorb the Academy of Public Administration and another 13 research institutions, which are connected to syllabi of higher degree, master and doctoral education of USM. Moreover, a training centre for civil servants will be created at USM and through direct cooperation with the State Chancellery, it will provide scientific and methodology support to public authorities.    

The Technical University of Moldova (UTM) will merge with the State Agrarian University of Moldova and another three research institutions. The goal is to strengthen the strategic sectors of the national economy and to attract as many as possible students to the most important and up-to-date fields, such as Engineering and Agricultural Sciences.    

The Ion Creanga State Pedagogical University (UPS Ion Creanga) from Chisinau will absorb the State University of Tiraspol, the Institute of Education Sciences and the Continuous Training Institute, in order to create and consolidate a classical pedagogical university, which is to include all pedagogical specialties. The leadership of UPS Ion Creanga is to come up with a concept for the development of a National Centre for Education and Leadership, which would contribute to the training and development of teaching and managerial staff.     

The Academy of Economic Studies from Moldova (ASEM) will merge with the National Institute of Economic Researches, in order to strengthen the process of education of staff in the economic sciences sector.  

The Music, Theatre and Fine Arts Academy (AMTAP) and the Cultural Heritage Institute received a special status and are to be transferred in subordination of the Culture Ministry.     

The same government decision sees that, in order to consolidate the training of staff for the national security, the Education and Research Ministry, by common consent with the Interior Ministry (MAI), will submit to the government, in a six-month period, the framework of regulation of the merger of another two higher education institutions: MAI’s Stefan cel Mare Academy and the State University of Physical Education and Sport.    

All students of the absorbed universities will be transferred till 25 August 2022. The transfer/reemployment from/to the office of university staff and the auxiliary personnel from the absorbed universities will be made according to the labour legislation.  

The reform will contribute to the consolidation of the human resources and financial means through their redistribution according to the syllabi on professional training oriented towards performances and education of highly qualified specialists and not to the maintenance of costly infrastructure. Therefore, this will generate: excellence recognized internationally, accredited syllabi – valuable diplomas, advanced research in education, better endowed education rooms and higher salaries for teachers and researchers.    

Thus, the modernized universities will attract more young people in the process of edification of a prosperous future in Moldova.   

Photo: Government