The students in Moldova have limited access to academic mobility programs because they do not know foreign languages, in particular English, at an advanced level. Currently, ten Moldovan students are involved in such programs abroad.
In a news conference at IPN, coordinator of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) project Romeo Țurcan, professor at the Aalborg University of Denmark, said the internationalization of higher education is a necessary objective that will lead to the enhanced competitiveness of local universities abroad. “Currently, the internationalization of higher education is at a low level,” he stated.
Romeo Țurcan noted that the universities in Moldova face a decline of about 9% in the number of students annually. For the universities to survive, the curriculum should be internationalized. This will enable to attract foreign students and teachers of foreign universities. The higher education establishments should apply more student-centered learning methods when the students are encouraged to look for solutions to problems.
Pro-rector of the Technical University of Moldova (UTM) Larisa Bugaian, national PBL coordinator, said the project is based on the curriculum reform and modernization of higher education in Moldova. The teaching of courses based on the method used at Western universities is piloted at six universities in Moldova. At the UTM, students study according to a reviewed curriculum in the IT sector, at the State University of Moldova – in Law, while at the University of Medicine – in Public Medicine. At the Academy of Economic Studies and the State University of Cahul, Business and Management are taught based on the solution identification method, while the University of Balti pilots this method in Public Administration.
John Reilly, expert of the University of Kent, the UK, said student-centered learning helps develop team work skills that enable students to solve the problems. University mobility offers a series of benefits. Studying in a foreign language and interaction with different cultures increase flexibility and adaptation and also confidence in oneself.
According to the organizers, about 180 students of the six Moldovan universities attend courses adjusted to the Problem Based Learning method.
