The problem-based learning (PBL) method that has been implemented at several specialties of six Moldovan universities as of September 1 this year should be extended to cover the whole education system so as to adjust it to the labor market needs, representatives of the higher education establishments stated in a news conference at IPN. This method is centered on the student, individual work and less theory, where the teacher assumes the role of mentor.
The six universities are: State University of Moldova, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Academy of Economic Studies, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University of Cahul, Technical University and Alecu Russo State University of Balti.
Technical University pro-rector Larisa Bugaian said the switchover to the PBL method is a request from society. The traditional learning method is based on memorization, while the new method is based on team work and solving of problems met in the learning process. The students do not learn from books only, but from each other too.
Mihai Gavriliuc, pro-rector of the Nicolae Testemitanu University, noted that the project at their institution will be extended to cover more faculties as it improves the method of training new specialists. “The whole university program cannot be modified from the start. The benefits will be analyzed step by step and the project will be gradually extended,” said Mihail Gavriliuc.
State University lecturer Liliana Turcan said the activities of the new learning method will help train skillful specialists who will be able to cope with problems that will appear while doing the job.
Dumitru Ciorba, department head at the Technical University’s Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics, said the new method requires additional work and a more active behavior so that the students obtain the results they want. Today the employers resort to new employment practices and the education system should be modified based on these requests.
Angela Solcan, dean of the Business and Management Faculty of the Academy of Economic Studies, noted that their students who take part in the program will deal with real, not invented problems that can appear while studying and practicing. “These are problems that exist in the environment outside and can be solved by students, while the results should be useful to the business community,” stated Angela Solcan.
Andrei Popa, rector of the Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu University, said the Republic of Moldova has good, intelligent students who should be persuaded to become involved in such programs and acquire the knowledge they need and broader qualifications.
Ina Odinokaya, of the Law Faculty of the Alecu Russo University, stated that such programs change the working strategies and methods, but also develop decision making skills in students and cultivate communication abilities. When these take up a job, they will join the staff more efficiently.
The new learning method is implemented as part of the EU program “Erasmus+”. The budget of the project is of over €1.5 million.
