Ex-minister of education Igor Sharov was elected rector of the State University of Moldova (USM). The announcement was placed on the university’s Facebook page. In the runoff vote to choose the rector, Igor Sharov gained 374 voted, while his opoonents Florentin Paladi, the dean of the Faculty of Physics and Engineering – 331 votes, IPN reports.
Earlier, Igor Sharov posted on Facebook that his participation in the contest was an assumed and responsible decision because the teachers and students confidence dictates very big expectations. The choice to assume responsibility was based on competence and experience and, what’s most important, on sincere wish and determination to revitalize the USM so that it becomes again the flagship of the higher education in the Republic of Moldova. “I definitely know how and have a clear view how to modernize the State University of Moldova, which has the potential to become a leading university in the region,” stated Igor Sharov.
After the announcement of the results, Florentin Paladi wrote on Facebook that he took part in the contest to choose the rector of the USM out of sincere wish to offer the academic community the opportunity to develop based on the authentic values of the performance of modern higher education institutions. He thanked those who voted for him. “I’m convinced that this result is sad not for everyone. It is said for those who devote themselves to their work, who care about the work they do and about their mates from the USM,” he stated.
Igor Sharov is a doctor of history. In 2013-2017, he served as deputy minister of culture, while in 2017-2019 he held the post of state secretary general at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research. In 1995-2013, he was pro-dean and then dean of the State University of Moldova. On March 17, 2020, he was named minister of education, culture and research after the Democratic Party and the Party of Socialists signed a government agreement. On November 9, Igor Sharov and another three ministers of the PDM were dismissed following the party’s decision to withdraw form government.
