Restructuring Higher Education Sector in the Republic of Moldova: Draft Legislative Proposals

This chapter proposes legislative proposals for restructuring and modernization of Higher Education (HE) in Moldova. It is based on (1) the analysis of the institutional university autonomy in Moldova; (2) the benchmark analysis of institutional university autonomy in Denmark, Lithuania, Romania, Scotland and Sweden; (3) the on-going analysis of the current situation of institutional university autonomy in Moldova, including the on-going analysis and review of the Code of Education; and (4) the European Commission agenda for
the modernization of higher education.
The chapter identifies the objectives of the legislative proposals; discusses risks and challenges that HE in Moldova faces today and in the next 10-15 years; identifies expected outcomes; identifies basic principles on which the process will be founded; proposes a new structure for the HE sector; offers an example of a rationalization process, incl., a road map, recommending that there should be 7 universities in Moldova: 3 regional universities and 4 universities in Chisinau (capital); following the principle of clear demarcation between
state regulation and institutional university autonomy, specifies universities powers and responsibilities; suggests a distinct separation between governance and management; suggests teaching and research funding formulae based on inputs and outputs; and outlines a new National Qualifications Framework.