The Technical University of Moldova (UTM) tops the national ranking of universities according to their research potential. The ranking was developed by the National Council for Accreditation and Attestation (CNAA) and includes 19 institutions of higher education.

CNAA chairman Valeriu Canter told IPN that the universities were judged by the efficiency and results of their research, then by criteria like institutional capacity and human potential. The key element was scientific production and innovations. “We analyzed the research and the research-related activities”, explained Canter. The ranking is updated yearly.

Grigore Belostecinic, chairman of the Council of Provosts and provost of the Academy of Economic Studies, thinks that such a ranking is welcome, but it should be remembered that it evaluates strictly the research potential of universities. Belostecinic says that the ranking won't influence too much the choice of prospective students, but it's useful information for those interested in doing research.

UTM is followed in the ranking by the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “N. Testemitanu” and the State University of Moldova. The bottom-ranked institutions are the Police Academy “Stefan cel Mare” and the Military Academy of the Armed Forces “Alexandru cel Bun”.