Moldova, a beautiful country located between Ukraine and Romania, is taking giant strides to build strong relations with India, especially in education and research. Moldovan Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun recently met Indian Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations. This visit comes ahead of the inauguration of Moldova’s embassy in New Delhi this December, signaling mutual interest in fostering collaboration across academic, research, and student exchange programs.
Moldova’s Vision on Academic Cooperation
Speaking during the visit, Minister Perciun said that Moldova is very interested in meaningful partnerships with institutions in India. His meeting was centered on two main themes:
- Research Collaborations: Moldova suggests combining resources from both countries to create a joint research fund. This strategy is similar to their joint research team model with Romania, where the teams use shared resources for innovative projects. A small initial contribution of €1 million (₹8.82 crore) from each side can spark research that will be beneficial to both countries.
- Student Exchange Programs: Moldova aims to introduce joint academic programs enabling students to divide their time between Indian and Moldovan universities. Such initiatives would enrich the academic experience, providing students with exposure to diverse educational systems and cultural environments.
Current Scenario: Indian Students in Moldova
Moldova has already emerged as one of the preferred destinations for Indian medical students with around 3,000 Indian students already studying there. Still, career opportunities for these students are somewhat limited as students need to be proficient in the Romanian language to practice medicine in Moldova. To overcome this issue, Moldova is searching for possibilities to attract Indian students to areas such as software engineering, where there are lesser linguistic constraints.
Increasing Cooperation with Indian Institutions
During his visit, Minister Perciun met officials from the most prominent Indian universities- Delhi University and Sharda University. Discussion topics included the following:
- Delhi University : Exploration of joint research activities and programs.
- Sharda University : Building of a veterinary medicine school, introduction of winemaking courses in collaboration with Technical University of Moldova
Moldova’s Status as an EU Candidate – An Opportunity for Cooperation
With EU candidate status granted to Moldova in June 2022, the universities of this country will be able to tap into European research funds and the Erasmus student exchange program. This status makes Moldova an attractive destination for Indian students and academic partnerships in accessing European-level resources and opportunities.
Improving Access: Visa Reforms
The formal inauguration of Moldova’s embassy in New Delhi on December 15 will streamline the visa process for Indian students and professionals. Minister Perciun highlighted that this change eliminates the need for students to travel to Istanbul for visa applications, making Moldova more accessible to Indian aspirants.
Scholarship Opportunities and Future Prospects
Moldova is keen to strengthen ties by providing scholarships to Indian students. In 2023, the Moldovan government granted five scholarships to Indian students for studying at the Technical University of Moldova. Minister Perciun suggests a mutual agreement in which both countries provide scholarships so that there is a fair exchange of talent and knowledge.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Moldova’s intentions to collaborate with India are promising, but challenges abound:
- Language Barriers: Increasing courses in English as well as providing language support courses will be essential to attract the Indian students from all disciplines to Moldova.
- Lack of Awareness: Awareness with regard to quality yet affordable Moldova education is a pressing need. Targeted outreach plans in India may help bring home the unique selling proposition from Moldova.
- Infrastructure building: Moldova shall focus on attracting Indian students rather than opening campuses here. Future collaborations may look at having Moldovan campuses there if the demand increases.
Conclusion
The visit of Moldovan Minister of Education Dan Perciun marks a new step toward creating a mutually beneficial partnership. Mutual goals in education, research, and student exchange programs can benefit each country involved. Strategic reform in Moldova and heightened interest in Indian talent may, in the near future, catapult this land into a beehive of academic exchange and cultural interactions between these nations.
