Signing of Collaboration Agreement with Stomatology School of Sichuan University

Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova has established a partnership with the West China School of Stomatology of Sichuan University, People's Republic of China, through a Collaboration Agreement concluded on April 26, 2023, in Chisinau.

The agreement was signed by Nicolae Testemitanu University Rector, Professor Emil Ceban, and the Dean of the Faculty of Stomatology Oleg Solomon. Afterwards the document will be sent through diplomatic channels to be certified by the Chinese side as well.

 His Excellency Mr. Wenbin Yan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Moldova, attended the event and emphasized that the signing of the agreement represented an important step in the field of medical education and research both at the inter-institutional level and at the country level. "It will contribute to the improvement of inter-university exchange, the mutual acquisition of experience, and the continuous development of interstate relations in the field of medical assistance," noted the Chinese diplomat, who has assured that the Embassy of the Republic of China will continue to provide all possible support to further deepening of the bilateral partnership.  

In the opinion of Rector Emil Ceban, this agreement has a special significance for Nicolae Testemitanu University. "Establishing Moldovan-Chinese cooperation relations has brought considerable benefits for the development of our university, as well as for the entire country. Within the respective cooperation, the development of the Stomatology integrated higher education program, the organization of academic mobility for students and teaching staff, to acquire knowledge and expertise as regards modern methods of diagnosis and treatment, etc. is foreseen. In an interconnected world, such partnerships are essential for progress and sustainable development. We hope to have a fruitful collaboration, which will continue to bring significant benefits to both countries", the rector specified.

For his part, Professor Jinsong Wang, Rector of Sichuan University, noted that this agreement represented an important aspect in the process of mutual understanding. "Life and health are common priorities for the entire humanity, and raising the level of healthcare requires our joint efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to strengthen collaboration in the field of medicine and healthcare services worldwide. The School of Stomatology is the business card of Sichuan University, having partnerships with similar institutions in several countries." In the same vein, Rector Jinsong Wang has mentioned that Nicolae Testemitanu University is also the best university in the Republic of Moldova, with high teaching potential and modern infrastructure. Respectively, the Faculty of Stomatology is known for training qualified specialists at the national level and for Eastern European countries. This partnership will enable both countries to use their potential to the maximum and to collaborate in the field of academic mobility, scientific research, and the provision of medical services for the joint training of highly qualified specialists".

 According to Valentin Mustea, head of the Policy Directorate in the field of medical personnel management, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova (MOH), friendly relations with the People's Republic of China have been lasting for 30 years, time during which China proved to be a reliable partner and supported consistently our country in modernizing medical institutions, endowing them with high-performance equipment and devices. "The signing of the Agreement will lead to the strengthening of cooperation relations between the educational institutions of the two countries and will facilitate the exchange of experience between students and teachers. This is a great opportunity for future doctors to get acquainted with the latest research and innovative technologies in the field of modern medicine, and to participate in professional conferences and meetings. Certainly, this step will contribute to increasing the quality of medical education in the near future,” added the representative of the Ministry of Health. 

The Dean of the Faculty of Stomatology, Associate Professor Oleg Solomon, has emphasized that this agreement sets up the prerequisites for great accomplishments at the didactic, scientific, and practical level, a fact that will contribute to increasing the quality of studies. "The University of China will enable us to achieve better results, to improve undergraduate and postgraduate curricula, and to launch new study programs. We want our students to go to rural areas to raise the level of oral health in the Republic of Moldova upon completion of their studies", the dean stated.

The signing event of the Collaboration Agreement was held in a mixed format, being attended by several representatives of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, People's Republic of China.

The agreement was concluded for a period of 5 years.