On 22 April 2026, the National Erasmus+ Office in Moldova, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research and in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, organised the event “From Local to Global: Promoting the Internationalisation of Higher Education in the Republic of Moldova”.
Held at the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, the event was dedicated to national reforms supporting the internationalisation of higher education, in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s European integration path. The activity is part of the Higher Education Reform Experts initiative under the Erasmus+ Programme and was organised with the support of the SPHERE Consortium. The consortium brings together experts from the European University Association (EUA), a pan-European university organisation representing over 800 universities in the European Higher Education Area, as well as 33 national rectors’ councils.
The invited expert, Dr Mihai Sebea, Director of the International Relations Department at the Romanian-American University in Bucharest, facilitated discussions on the challenges and opportunities of internationalisation, with a focus on enhancing the global visibility and attractiveness of higher education institutions in the Republic of Moldova.
The main topics addressed during the event included:
- the strategic role of internationalisation and participation in global events (such as EAIE, NAFSA, EURIE or APAIE);
- the importance of institutional preparation for effective participation in international conferences and exhibitions;
- developing strategies for attracting international students;
strengthening institutional offerings and academic partnerships; - identifying practical solutions to enhance international visibility.
The programme featured thematic sessions and presentations of good practices, including experiences from universities in the Republic of Moldova. The event brought together over 65 representatives from the majority of higher education institutions in the country, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, the Development Foundation, ANACEC, etc.
In addition, on 21, 23 and 24 April, Dr Mihai Sebea and the team of the National Erasmus+ Office held meetings with representatives of five universities in the Republic of Moldova — rectors and vice-rectors for international relations — to discuss the importance of participation in international forums as a strategic tool for internationalisation and partnership development.
The event reaffirmed the importance of a strategic approach to internationalisation, highlighting the role of international cooperation in modernising and aligning higher education in the Republic of Moldova with European standards.
