The diplomas issued by the higher and vocational education institutions of Moldova will be recognized at European level in 2-3 years of the foundation of an agency for ensuring quality in university and vocational education, said Minister of Education Maia Sandu. The creation of the agency is stipulated in a bill with amendments to the Education Law, IPN reports.

In the public hearings held by the parliamentary commission on culture, education, youth and sport, Maia Sandu said there is now no institution that would accredit higher and vocational education establishments and would assess the quality of programs in university and vocational education.

Some of the members of the commission said that such an agency would cause additional costs.

Rector of the Academy of Economic Studies Grigore Belostecinic suggested entrusting the National Council for Accreditation and Attestation with the task of assessing the quality of higher and vocational education so as to avoid extra costs.

Deputy Minister of Education Igor Grosu said the Ministry of Education made a compromise when it allowed merging two higher education stages into one agency. In the European countries, they are separated. There is no other subdivision of the Ministry with powers or resources to deal with the assessment of educational programs and accreditation of institutions.

The bill with amendments to the Education Law was drafted by the Ministry of Education. It was approved by the Government and sent to Parliament for examination and adoption. The hearings will continue this week.