Quality assurance in higher education is implemented through a series of actions aimed at developing the institutional capacity to design, plan, and implement study programmes. These processes help to build and strengthen the confidence of beneficiaries that the institution providing education meets and continually improves quality standards in accordance with its stated mission.

A major reform in the field of quality assurance in the Republic of Moldova took place in 2018 with the establishment of the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research, which assumed responsibilities for evaluation and accreditation across all levels of education. In its areas of activity, the agency cooperates with central and local public authorities as well as international organisations. Its primary objective is to ensure the quality of services provided by institutions in the fields of education and research, thereby contributing to meeting the needs of society and the labour market in the training of competent professionals (source: ANACEC).

Responsible bodies

Quality management in higher education is ensured at two levels:

a) national level – by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova and the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research (ANACEC);

b) institutional level – by internal quality assurance structures within higher education institutions.

External evaluation of the educational process in higher education is carried out by ANACEC or by other quality assurance agencies registered in the European Quality Assurance Register. Internal evaluation is conducted by the institutional quality assurance structures in accordance with an internal regulation (source: Education Code).

ANACEC is an affiliated member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), reflecting its active participation in European quality assurance networks (source: ENQA).

Approaches and methods for quality assurance

The quality assurance system in higher education in the Republic of Moldova is based on a combination of internal and external evaluation mechanisms, as provided by the Education Code of the Republic of Moldova.

Internal quality assurance

Internal evaluation (self-assessment) in higher education is conducted by institutional quality assurance structures in accordance with internal regulations and national reference standards. The process involves the systematic collection of data concerning educational, research, and artistic activities, as well as consultation with teaching staff, research personnel, students, graduates, employers, and other stakeholders. The results and performance of institutional activities are analysed and summarised in a self-assessment report (source: Methodology for External Quality Evaluation in Higher, Vocational, and Adult Education).

External evaluation of institutions and study programmes

External quality evaluation is carried out by the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research (ANACEC) or other quality assurance agencies registered in the European Quality Assurance Register. The system comprises two main stages: provisional operating authorisation, which allows institutions to operate and admit students, and accreditation, which permits the organisation of final examinations and the awarding of diplomas recognised by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova.

Any institution or legal entity wishing to offer higher education programmes must undergo external evaluation for provisional operating authorisation before commencing activities. Provisional operating authorisation expires after the first cohort of graduates, after which institutions and programmes must obtain accreditation. Accreditation is carried out at both institutional and programme levels.

Following accreditation, institutions and programmes are subject to periodic external evaluation at least once every five years, for re-accreditation. The frequency and procedures of evaluation are established in the methodologies developed by ANACEC and approved by the Government (source: Education Code).

The external evaluation commission consists of a minimum of three members selected from ANACEC’s Register of Expert Evaluators. It includes representatives from the educational and academic community, specialists in the relevant field, student representatives enrolled at the time of evaluation, and employer representatives working in the evaluated sector. Members of ANACEC’s Governing Council are not permitted to serve on evaluation commissions during their term.

The commission verifies compliance with accreditation standards through review of the self-assessment file and an on-site visit, which may last up to five days. 

The external evaluation report contains a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the self-assessment report, findings from the site visit, progress since the previous evaluation (in case of reaccreditation), identified strengths and weaknesses confirmed by the commission, and mandatory recommendations for quality improvement (source: Methodology for External Quality Evaluation in Higher, Vocational, and Adult Education).

Results of external evaluation are used to make decisions regarding provisional operating authorisation, accreditation, or non-accreditation of institutions and programmes, as well as for classification of higher education institutions and ranking of programmes. These results also influence the allocation of state-funded student places and resources for research, development, and innovation.

Where institutions receive negative evaluation outcomes, the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova withdraws the right to operate or offer study programmes, with students being reassigned to similar programmes at other institutions until the issues causing the negative results are resolved. These provisions also apply to doctoral programmes offered by research and innovation organisations and to those institutions in relation to the organisation of doctoral studies.

Decisions regarding provisional operating authorisation, accreditation, non-accreditation, or withdrawal of operational rights are made by the Ministry of Education and Research based on the evaluation results provided by ANACEC (source: Education Code).