Internationalization – an institutional development priority

The university senators approved the Internationalization Strategy of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy for the years 2026-2028, at the meeting on January 23.

The document focuses on the Strategic Development Plan of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy for the period 2021-2030, which includes Internationalization as an institutional development priority, integrated into the mission, vision and values ​​of the University. The internationalization strategy for the next three years is developed based on the Education Code of the Republic of Moldova. The document establishes the fundamental principles of the internationalization of higher education, academic mobility and international cooperation and is aligned with the Higher Education Internationalization Program for 2026 - 2028, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Research No. 2253 of 18.12.2025, which defines the objectives, directions of action and national mechanisms for promoting internationalization. The strategy is aligned with the objectives of the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova and the principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the Bologna Process, adapted to the specifics of medical and pharmaceutical education. At the European level, EHEA and European Union policies promote curricular internationalization, including through the concept of internationalization at home, balanced and recognized academic mobility, the use of digital tools for transnational cooperation, and the development of sustainable strategic partnerships between institutions. 

The strategy was presented by Evelina Gherghelegiu, head of the Department of Foreign Relations and European Integration (DREIE), who has mentioned that the share of foreign students constitutes the main element of internationalization at home:

"The University hosts a diverse international academic community of international students, coming from over 33 countries, which represents a third of the total number of students. The admission of international students to Nicolae Testemitanu University has been constant in the last three years, varying between 32-45%, which confirms the regional and international attractiveness of the University. Thus, in 2023, Nicolae Testemitanu University trained 1972 international students, in 2024 their number was 1873, and in 2025 – 1802. The largest number of international students is enrolled at the Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy study programs, with teaching in English and French. In this context, the University offers optimal integration opportunities and facilities: academic support and mentoring, psychological counseling, accommodation in university hostels within the limit of available places, cultural and extracurricular activities, logistical and legal support. 

The internationalization strategy has four strategic objectives: Institutional development of internationalization to increase the international visibility of Nicolae Testemitanu University as a regional pole of medical education, research and innovation in health; Strengthening the human capacities of academic, scientific and administrative staff to promote international cooperation and the internationalization of medical education; Internationalization of study programs and research activities by increasing international academic cooperation and participation in European programs and projects; and Increasing the involvement of students and resident physicians in internationalization processes and the University  attractiveness for foreign students and refuge.

"Attracting international students and developing academic mobility are addressed as central pillars of the internationalization of Nicolae Testemitanu University, with a direct impact on institutional sustainability, modernization of the educational process and enhancing the University’s international visibility. The strategy reflects the institutional commitment of Nicolae Testemitanu University to actively contribute to the implementation of the National Program for the Internationalization of Higher Education and to strengthen its role within the European Higher Education Area, with the support provided through EU-funded projects", stated First Vice-Rector Olga Cernetchi, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Academic Management. 

„Nicolae Testemitanu” University maintains an extensive network of international cooperation and has a diversified portfolio of 130 partnerships, which support academic mobility, the development of educational programs, research cooperation and increased institutional visibility at European and global levels. During the period 2024-2025, the University registered over 30 active international agreements, concluded with higher education institutions, university clinical centers and research organizations from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America (7 Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreements, 9 cooperation memoranda and 14 bilateral partnership agreements).

 The document will be submitted for approval to the Institutional Strategic Development Council.

The strategy was developed under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project "IROCONNECT", funded by the European Commission, a project that supports the strengthening of the institutional capacity of universities of the Republic of Moldova in the field of internationalization, the alignment with European practices and the development of sustainable institutional policies.