The higher and vocational education establishments will be assessed and accredited by the National Quality Ensuring Agency that was founded by making amendments to the Education Law. The bill with amendments was passed by Parliament in the first reading. It envisions the creation of the third cycle of higher education – the doctoral studies, which were considered research education until now, IPN reports.

In the informative note to the bill, its author, the Ministry of Education says that the National Quality Ensuring Agency will contribute to the formulation of policies in the field and to the enhanced credibility of the university and vocational education diplomas obtained in Moldova. These changes to the Education Law are imposed by the common European academic area that requires accrediting the education institutions.

During the first two years, the agency will be financially supported with money from the state budget. Afterward, it will be financed from the contracts for the assessment of institutions providing professional formation programs.

Earlier, rectors of Moldovan universities said they are against the creation of a separate agency for accrediting higher education establishments as this role can be played by the National Council for Attestation and Accreditation.