Robot “made in Moldova”: Moldovan high school students return with gold from the World Robotics Olympiad

IPN.md

2 November 2025
10:38

The Republic of Moldova has won the gold medal for the fifth consecutive time at the world’s largest robotics competition for high school students – FIRST Global Challenge. The award was won in the Engineering Innovation category, according to IPN.

This year’s competition theme, “Eco Equilibrium,” challenged participants from around the world to innovate together to maximize biodiversity and protect the incredible variety of life forms that sustain the planet.

According to the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ustad Ahmad Lahori Award for Innovation in Engineering recognizes unique and innovative designs. Participating teams had to present an original and practical feature of the robot, well executed and relevant to this year’s challenge, which they had to communicate effectively to the jury.

The Moldovan team also received an Honorable Mention in the FIRST Global Innovator Award category, in honor of Fred Smith. This award recognizes teams that demonstrate innovation and a spirit of research in the application of new technologies.

The competition took place between October 28 and November 1 in Panama City, Panama, bringing together teams from over 190 countries. The Olympiad is intended for students aged between 15 and 18.

The Moldovan team consisted of six students, all from Chisinau: Cristian Andries – Ion Creanga High School, David Bragarenco and Mihai Marandici – Mihail Kogalniceanu Theoretical High School, Ion Pavelescu – Orizont High School, Durlesti branch, Cristian Romanciuc – George Meniuc High School, and Emilia Turcan – Waldorf High School.

Gold high school MEC Students World Robotics Olympiad

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The Parliament has taken note of the resignation of the Action and Solidarity Party deputy Alexandr Trubca. The decision was approved in Thursday’s legislative session, reports IPN.

The President of the Parliamentary Legal Commission for Appointments and Immunities, Veronica Rosca, specified that the reason for the departure is not indicated in the resignation request. “Everyone has the right to resign without invoking a reason,” the deputy stated.

The next candidate on the PAS substitute list is the Minister of Environment, Gheorghe Hajder, however, he has declined the deputy mandate in order to continue his work in the Government. Thus, the vacant mandate goes to Roman Rosca, who holds the position of State Secretary in the Bureau of Reintegration Policies.

Alexandr Trubca announced that he resigns from his parliamentary mandate following the controversies related to a real estate investment in Trușeni commune. The deputy stated that the investment is legal and does not generate a conflict of interest, but he believes that his economic activity affects the image and credibility of the party he is part of.

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Robot “made in Moldova”: Moldovan high school students return with gold from the World Robotics Olympiad

IPN.md

2 November 2025
10:38

The competition took place between October 28 and November 1 in Panama City, Panama, bringing together teams from over 190 countries. The Olympiad is intended for students aged between 15 and 18.

Gold high school MEC Students World Robotics Olympiad

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20 schools will be renovated and equipped in the coming years, as part of a project funded by the European Investment Bank

by Irina Botu 23.07.2026

20 educational institutions will be renovated and equipped in the coming years, as part of the “Rehabilitation and modernization of schools in Moldova” project. The Parliament has approved in two readings the ratification of the financing contract, reports IPN.

According to the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, the total value of the project is 50 million euros, of which 40 million represents the loan granted by the European Investment Bank, and the rest are grants and European funds.

“Two million is a grant component, and eight million represents the contribution of the Republic of Moldova through the Growth Plan, from those sources of 1.9 billion”, mentioned the Minister of Education, Dan Perciun.

The 20 educational institutions are part of the network of the 90 model schools selected for development by the Ministry of Education and Research. Dan Perciun explained that the interest rate of the loan will be set separately for each disbursed tranche. “The costs of these loans are set at each tranche. The good part is that we do not pay on this project, if we do not spend”, said the minister, specifying that the interest applies only to the amounts actually used.

“The money will go towards tangible things: major renovations, energy efficiency, modern equipment, space arrangement, furniture. The project is predominantly oriented towards infrastructure and equipment”, stated Dan Perciun. The Minister specified that out of the 20 schools included in the project, nine are from the municipality of Chisinau, and 11 are from the country’s districts, usually the second largest educational institution from each district being selected.

The financing contract was signed on June 17, in Chisinau and Luxembourg, and the project implementation will be coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Research. The law also provides for fiscal and customs facilities for goods and services necessary for the realization of investments. The contract is valid until December 31, 2032.

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