2025

Government approves decision on the Information System for the Personalisation of Education Certificates 

The Government approved on 26/08/2025 the decision establishing the Information System for Personalisation of Education Certificates (SI PAS). It aims to provide all citizens with authentic education certificates, confirming the completion of studies and the acquisition of skills or qualifications, in a digital, centralised and secure way for all levels of study. SI PAS allows the automated generation and verification, including online, of diplomas, certificates and other certificates issued by educational institutions in the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the system consolidates data on educational institutions, is connected to state registers and allows the issuance of documents both on paper and in electronic format, with equal legal validity.

Creation of the national platform for innovation in health – HealthTech Hub

HealthTech Hub - a national platform dedicated to innovation and internationalisation in the healthcare system of the Republic of Moldova is to be created at the “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The platform will contribute to the modernisation of the healthcare system by promoting interdisciplinary research, adopting advanced technologies and supporting start-ups in the healthcare field. The hub will create the connection between education, research and entrepreneurship, aimed at producing safe, validated and scalable solutions for patients.

The Memorandum on the creation of the HealthTech Hub was signed on 08/08/2025 by the “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) and the Development Foundation of the Republic of Moldova.

The document provides four strategic directions for the transformation of the healthcare system, namely: supporting startups and interdisciplinary teams in the fields of digital health and artificial intelligence; accelerating personalised medicine; access to advanced infrastructure - laboratories, simulators, university clinics; reducing the gap between research and the market through licensing and co-development with industry and civil society.

Introduction of three new specialties in the fields of health, architecture and agriculture

The government approved on 18/06/2025 the addition of three new specialities to the “Nomenclature of Vocational Training Fields and Higher Education Specialities”, aligned with current labour market trends.

In the field of Health, the specialties Medical Physics and Bioengineering and Medical Devices were introduced, aimed at training specialists in advanced technologies applied in medicine. 

In the field of Architecture and Construction, the specialty Land Improvements (Hydroamelioration) was included, essential for the sustainable management of water resources and agricultural land.

In the field of Agriculture, the specialty Smart Agriculture was approved, which will contribute to the digitalisation and modernisation of the agricultural sector, by integrating IT technologies, robotics and automated systems.

Investments of about 37.8 million euros for the continued modernisation of universities

Universities in the Republic of Moldova will benefit, in the next four years, from additional financing worth about 37.8 million euros for development projects. The Government approved, on 14/05/2025, the draft Loan Agreement for Additional Financing of the Higher Education Project, concluded between the Republic of Moldova and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Based on the project, investments will be made in university infrastructure. Thus, at least 7 student dormitories will be renovated, as well as research centres and learning environments will be modernised. At the same time, the research infrastructure will be modernised and 10 organizations in the fields of research and innovation within higher education institutions will be equipped. Young researchers will be offered grants for the dissemination of research results, and the Innovation Centre in Agriculture will be created at the Technical University of Moldova.

The government increases salary supplements for academic staff and researchers in universities

About 4,000 scientific and didactic staff and researchers benefit from salary increases, following the amendment to the legal framework regarding the remuneration of staff in higher education institutions operating under a financial and economic self-management regime. The decision was approved on 14/05/2025 by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The monthly salary increase for the title of doctor habilitat or university professor will increase from 1,100 lei (55 euros*) to 4,500 lei (228 euros*), and for the title of doctor of sciences or university associate professor – from 600 lei (30 euros*) to 4,000 lei (202 euros*). The monthly increase for the scientific or scientific-didactic title is granted proportionally to the time worked, including in the case where university staff simultaneously exercise the scientific-didactic or scientific function in addition to their main position.

35 million lei for innovation and advanced technologies

The Ministry of Education and Research will invest approximately 35 million lei (1.77 million euros*), between 2025-2027, to ensure the implementation of scientific innovations in the national economy, the use of advanced technologies in industry, and, consequently, to increase the country’s competitiveness on international markets. The resources will be allocated through the National Fund for Innovation and Technology Transfer.

This financial mechanism will support research, innovation and technology transfer, and will facilitate collaboration between the scientific and economic sectors. Through this initiative, the MER aims to implement new technologies and high-performance solutions in industry that contribute to the country's economic growth.

New regulation allows bachelor’s and master’s degree studies to be carried out online and in part-time format

The Government has approved on 26/03/2025 a new regulation allowing bachelor’s and master’s degree studies to be carried out online and in part-time mode in universities across the Republic of Moldova. This decision supports students who need more flexibility in their learning process, including those who are employed, people with disabilities, and young people from the diaspora. 

2024

In 2024 the Republic of Moldova has implemented significant reforms in higher education, including streamlined recognition of foreign academic titles, increased student scholarships, institutional mergers, expanded dual education, financial incentives for pedagogy graduates, and the launch of a national online admission platform:

• Recognition of Foreign Academic Titles – the government has approved a new regulation, proposed by the Ministry of Education and Research, to facilitate the recognition and equivalence of scientific and academic titles obtained abroad. This measure aims to support academic and professional mobility, ensuring the free movement of citizens within the European area, in line with Moldova’s commitments under the EU Association Agreement and international treaties.
• Increased Scholarships for Students – the government has doubled merit scholarships for students and increased monthly payments for those studying at military institutions. Additionally, scholarships for students in colleges, vocational schools, and centers of excellence, as well as for university students, master's, and doctoral candidates, have been raised by 5.5%.
• Merger of USEFS with USM – the University of Physical Education and Sports (USEFS) has become an Institute within Moldova State University (USM) following the merger of the two institutions. The new structure will have broad autonomy and will integrate all three USEFS faculties: Kinesiology, Physical Education and Sports, and Security Sciences.
• Establishment of a Bulgarian University Branch in Taraclia – the governments of Moldova and Bulgaria have signed an intergovernmental agreement to establish a branch of “Angel Kanchev” University (Ruse, Bulgaria) in Taraclia.
• Study Abroad Scholarships for Moldovan Students – Parliament has approved the law on Moldova’s participation in the Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS IV), signed in Warsaw in 2023. This initiative promotes student, researcher, faculty, and administrative staff mobility across partner countries. Moldova will also offer study scholarships for foreign students.
• Financial Incentives for Education Sciences Graduates – Pedagogy graduates will receive a one-time allowance of 200,000 lei in their first five years of teaching, while graduates of professional-technical programmes will receive 160,000 lei under the same conditions.
• Launch of eadmitere.gov.md – a National Online Admission Platform – the platform allows applicants to select up to three universities and three specialisations per institution when applying for undergraduate studies.
• Expansion of Dual Education in Universities – starting the academic year 2025-26, dual education will be introduced in universities, enabling third- and fourth-year students in fields such as marketing, logistics, pedagogy, engineering, and IT to combine studies with work experience in companies or organizations.
• Simplification of Accreditation and Strengthening Quality Assurance – accredited institutions will now be able to offer continuous professional training for adults without additional accreditation. Additionally, universities will no longer need provisional authorization for new programmes if they already have an accredited programme in the same field. Another key reform extends the institutional accreditation period from five to seven years after re-accreditation.

2023

In 2023, the higher education system in the Republic of Moldova underwent reforms aimed at modernising the educational structure, increasing the efficiency of resource management and providing new opportunities for students and institutions. These reforms focused on expanding access to education, updating the educational offer and improving the university infrastructure.

A. State order for higher education

By Government Decision no. 468/2023, 8,732 budgetary places were allocated for higher education, including bachelor's, master's, residency and secondary clinical cycles. Of these, 25% were dedicated to pedagogical specialties. Also, places were provided for foreign citizens, especially for those from Ukraine, within the framework of bilateral contracts.

The framework regulation for admission to higher undergraduate studies and integrated higher studies for the academic year 2023/2024 was updated by Order of the Minister of Education and Research no. 458 of 15.05.2023, and for priority areas such as multimedia production, game design, animation and information and communication technologies, the budget places were increased.

B. Updating the Budget Financing Methodology

By Government Decision no. 700/2023, the financing methodology of public higher education institutions was updated, emphasizing the efficient management of public funds. The new provisions aim at strengthening university autonomy and the efficiency of the use of public funds, measured based on the number of equivalent students, performance indicators, correlated with the achievement of public policy objectives, which becomes an imperative in the vision of the new modern financing systems.

In this context, an additional 20 million lei (approx. 1 million euro) were allocated for the renovation of student dormitories at several universities, including the State University of Moldova, the Technical University of Moldova, "Ion Creangă" State Pedagogical University, "Alecu Russo" State University from Balti and the Academy of Economic Studies from Moldova. These allocations were aimed at improving living conditions for students, with repairs and furnishing of furniture and infrastructure.

C. The nomenclature of new specialties

Another important step was the completion of the Nomenclature of fields and specialties in higher education by Government Decision no. 360/2023, which introduced new specialisations such as data science, digital technologies in manufacturing, agribusiness and rural development. These specialisations were created to meet the demands of the modern economy and to support rural development, innovation and technology.

D. Awarding merit scholarships

The government continued to support the academic performance of students through Decisions no. 701 and 702/2023, which regulate the granting of merit scholarships: the Government Scholarship, the President's Scholarship and the Republican Scholarship. These scholarships are intended for students from higher education and VET institutions, contributing to their motivation and involvement.

E. Increasing scholarships for pedagogical specialties

In order to attract more students to pedagogical specialties, the Government approved in December 2023 the doubling of scholarships for students of these specialties through Government Decision no. 949/2023. Thus, the maximum 1^st category scholarship reaches 3,280 lei (approx. 169 euro), while the minimum 3^rd category scholarship will be 2,200 lei (approx. 113 euro).