On October 9, 2024, a delegation from the international research and education community including members of RENAM (Research and Educational Networking Association of Moldova) and representatives from the ‘EU4Digital: Connecting Research and Education Communities (EaPConnect)’ project visited the Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University in Chisinau (UPSC).
Enhancing Moldova’s educational infrastructure
The visit highlighted the significant role of RENAM in advancing Moldova’s educational infrastructure. As the national research and education network, RENAM provides high-speed internet access and advanced digital services to academic institutions across the country. Petru Bogatencov, Chair of the Management Board at RENAM, commented: “UPSC’s progress demonstrate RENAM’s dedication to integrating Moldova’s educational system with international networks.”
EaPConnect’s mission
Irina Matthews, EaPConnect Project Manager commented: “We are delighted to witness how the support from the EaPConnect project is enabling to open new opportunities for academic programmes and technological advancements, furthering Moldova’s integration into the European educational landscape.” The project aims to bridge the digital divide between Eastern Partnership countries and the rest of Europe. By enhancing connectivity and fostering collaboration, EaPConnect supports educational and research initiatives throughout the region.
Future prospects for UPSC
UPSC showcased their modern educational laboratories, developed with support from various international projects and shared plans and development strategy for their initiative National Center for Digital Innovation in Education ‘Future Classroom’. Discussions focused on expanding academic programmes and implementing new services to train students in cutting-edge technologies.
Mr Bogatencov added: “This is a pivotal moment for UPSC, as they focus towards the enhancement of their capabilities and opportunities for international collaboration. We believe that by strengthening ties with RENAM, UPSC is set to become a hub for innovation and excellence in education and research in Moldova”.
