The Cabinet approved a draft law on the merger of the State University of Physical Education and Sports with the Moldova State University (MSU). According to the authorities, the number of students in sports specializations the last few years has steadily decreased and the financial situation of the institution is precarious, IPN reports.

Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun said that over the past three years, the total number of students has decreased by about 15%. Admission to the first year has constantly diminished and only 477 students have been admitted this year. “This led to significant financial problems at the university. This year we had to cover the salary deficit with 6 million lei at a time that the university’s budget was the largest ever and came to 33 million lei. In 2021, it was 19 million lei. However, the university encountered financial difficulties,” stated the minister.

Dan Perciun noted that this merger will enable to ensure financial consolidation. The USM is the largest university in Moldova, with a solid budget that can satisfy the needs of the State University of Physical Education and Sports and increase its credibility. The merger will generate new opportunities for the development of research, continuous training in the field and will ensure a more diligent and appropriate management.

The draft law that provides for the merger of the two universities by absorption is to be considered by Parliament. Earlier, the administration and teachers of the State University of Physical Education and Sports opposed the merger. According to them, the institution has qualified staff, accredited programs and also a permanent flow of students. They doubted that things would improve after the merger.

The Cabinet meeting took place amidst a protest against the merger. The protesters, who included members of the Party of Socialists, chanted “Down with the liquidators!”, “Perciun – minister of degradation!”, “Take your hands off education!”.