Six universities in Moldova have applied a new problem-based learning (PBL) method as of September 1. This is a method centered on the student, individual work and less theory where the teacher assumes the role of mentor. The six education institutions opened rooms outfitted with modern technology where students selected at a contest to take part in this project can study without attending lectures.
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.
In a news conference at IPN on October 25, project coordinator Romeo Turcan said that since the launch of the initiative in October 2015 until the initiation of the project, dozens of persons from the six universities took part in training seminars and paid fact-finding visits to European universities that implement the given method. Within the project, the students will benefit from internships abroad.
Larisa Bugaian, Technical University pro-rector responsible for financial issues and international relations, said the implementation of the PBL method brings a breath of fresh air to the education system. “We created a team. The universities established close cooperation relations and we learn from each other. The PBL is a philosophy. Everyone understands it depending on the environment where they are and their professional capacities,” stated the pro-rector.
State University lecturer Liliana Turcan said the PBL is implemented at the Faculty of Law because this area includes a lot of practical work. “The change of attitude to learning and teaching is a benefit of this method. The students become more independent and active and generate ideas, while the teachers do not impose themes on them,” she stated.
Mihai Gavriliuc, pro-rector for international relations at the Nicolae Testemitanu University, said the method necessitates a change in lecturers’ mentality as these were trained by other methods. The analysis of this method applied in foreign universities shows the students who used it are better prepared and easier find a job.
Angela Solcan, dean of the Business and Management Faculty of the Academy of Economic Studies, noted that the internationalization of the educational offers of Moldovan universities is one of the goals of the project. The students show increased interest in learning based on this method. “There is yet the problem of mentality. Our teachers want to implement this method, but need more time to learn,” stated Angela Solcan.
Andrei Popa, rector of the Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu University, said the project is innovative and will raise the lecture teaching conception in Moldova to a new level. The classical teaching method is replaced by a new method.
Dumitru Ciorba, department head at the Technical University’s Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics, said the project brings about changes in the national education system. The number of practical lessons will be increased, while of disciplines and final exams will be decreased. The program enables the students to manage the time themselves.
Ina Odinokaya, of the Law Faculty of the Alecu Russo University, stated that excessive theorization is one of the problems faced by the higher education system of Moldova. “This project helps theorized education to become practical and to meet the labor market requirements,” she stated.
The new learning method is implemented as part of the EU program “Erasmus+”. The budget of the project is of over €1.5 million.