Romania wants to help young Moldovan specialists return home

Romanian Ambassador to Moldova Marius Lazurca proposed to the Romanian Ministry of Education creating a scheme of post-university scholarships for young Moldovan specialists, who would commit to later return to their jobs. Romania has a similar system for young professionals with internships in western countries who, upon their return, obtain the status of European experts and special wages, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the Romanian diplomat’s statements during the last meeting of the Press Club. “I proposed the Ministry of Education to come up with some kind of post-university scholarships or internships for young Moldovan specialists who already have a job. They would receive a new professional and educational experience, but would have to return to their jobs. It’s a system that has been created in Romania by the Nastase Government through the scholarships of the Romanian Government. Graduates who wanted to pursue a master’s diploma studies at a western university were selected and the Government engaged to maintain their jobs until the end of their studies. Moreover, the state engaged to financially stimulate them by creating the status of European expert and a special wage system for them. These people later contributed to Romania’s European integration effort”, said Marius Lazurca. His statements were made during the evaluation of Romania’s scholarship policy for Moldovan pupils and students over the last 20 years. “This scholarship policy for Moldova was perhaps the best thing Romania did for Moldova, or at least it had the best effects for both countries”, he said. He admitted that, so far, the phenomenon lacked a quality and accurate evaluation. “We realize that we don’t have a clear image of what we have done so far. On the other hand, we see the beneficial effects of this policy, effects that are, as I said, to the advantage of both Moldova and Romania. I’ll give one example: Romania, like other European countries, such as Great Britain, France or Germany, is the victim or subject, if you prefer a neutral term, of a recent phenomenon: the exodus of doctors. Romania has compensated it with medical personnel from Moldova. The majority of these specialists benefited of the scholarships scheme, so that this way, we can assess its effects. Many of them found jobs in Romania, worthy of their training, about which we are told it’s very good”, declared Marius Lazurca. “I wish Romania to avoid being accused of brain-drain from Moldova, of stealing intelligence, competence and experts from Moldova. That’s why, last year, I proposed the Ministry of Education to set up this scholarship scheme”, the Romanian ambassador said.