The partnership between the Republic of Moldova and Romania in the field of education and research is sustainable and for the benefit of the two countries. Together, they constantly manage to increase the level of education and research, to easier integrate into the family of European states through research and innovation. Statements on the issue were made by participants in IPN’s public debate “Integration through training and research, Moldovan-Romanian educational projects”.

The rector of the Moldova State University Igor Sharov said that Romania in time has been a reliable partner. Owing to the offered support, Moldova’s educational system managed to resist all the challenges of time.

“Romania’s support for the educational sector of the Republic of Moldova is enormous and we must not forget to every time thank Romania for the multiple projects that were implemented between the governments of the two states, between the ministries of education and districts based on existing bilateral relations and projects that were launched in the field of education. The question is, if we could have survived this period without support. I think we could have resisted, but with difficulty and wouldn’t have obtained the results we have now in the educational system of the Republic of Moldova. The enormous investments in education from the Romanian state must be appreciated,” stated Igor Sharov.

Ludmila Armașu-Canțîr, pro-rector for scientific activity and international relations at the “Ion Creangă” State Teacher Training University, said that Romania offered and continues to offer unconditional support for Moldova’s educational sector and Romania’s openness in this regard should be used further so as to help the country to easier integrate into the big family of European states.

“We have by us not only strategic partners. We have brothers by us, who fully realize our needs, especially in the unfavorable historical conditions in which we were deprived of the mother tongue and of history. I consider that more could have been probably done if together with all these investments coming from Romania, the way of thinking in the Republic of Moldova also changed. Regrettably, at mentality level our people haven’t yet learned to be grateful to those who really sacrificed and devote themselves to enable us to feel free, independent and at home. From all the angles, Romania is the most important strategic partner,” stated Ludmila Armașu-Canțîr.

Rodica Cujbă, head of the Scientific Research Management of the Technical University of Moldova, said that there is now very close cooperation between Moldovan and Romanian researchers, including when this is put to good use within international projects.

“This joint writing of projects points to a very good start of fruitful cooperation, to the constitution of joint teams that later took part in international, European projects. I want to mention the contest of crossborder projects. This contest involved only universities and organizations from Romania which are closer to the Republic of Moldova, but in such conditions, we also had a great cooperation process, submission of projects, financing from the European Union for joint projects. We are moving nicely in this direction and we hope to continue even better,” stated Rodica Cujbă.

The public debate entitled “Integration through training and research, Moldovan-Romanian educational projects” was staged in the framework of the project “Double integration through cooperation and information”, which is implemented by IPN News Agency with support from the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova of the Government of Romania.