Rector Emil Ceban: "The path to a career in medicine or pharmacy may not be the easiest, but it is certainly one that brings personal fulfillment and professional satisfaction"

”Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy maintains its status of the most prestigious higher education institution in the Republic of Moldova. A confirmation in this regard is the fact that ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University holds first place at the national level in four international rankings. Every year the University has achievements in all fields of activity, becoming more visible, competitive and attractive for young people from the country and abroad. The name ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University is identified with Excellence, Quality and Performance and has become a national brand recognized in the training of specialists for the healthcare system of the Republic of Moldova and other countries.

 The path to a career in medicine or pharmacy may not be the easiest, but it is certainly one that brings fulfillment and satisfaction, especially if you have compassion and empathy for people's suffering, if you tend to contribute to their physical and mental well-being, if you have the desire to actively participate in the improvement of medical and pharmaceutical care in our country.

To understand if you fit in at the ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University - we invite you to read the interview with the rector of the University, university professor Emil Ceban, Habilitated Doctor of Medical Sciences, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. Undoubtedly, you will find answers to many questions or become even more curious to discover the fascinating world of medicine and pharmacy.

– Dear Mr. Rector, please tell us what the success formula of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy is, especially in the last four years. 

Rector Emil Ceban: Rector Emil Ceban: Today, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova has a meaningful image on a national and international level, defined by quality, excellence and performance. This is due to the efforts of the university community, which, in its almost 79 years of activity, has laid the foundations of and continuously promoted quality higher education and scientific research in the field of medicine and pharmacy. From our predecessors we have learned that only through hard work, perseverance, responsibility and dedication the set mission and goals can be achieved.

 Currently, 6,500 students from the Republic of Moldova and 40 other countries are studying at Nicolae Testemitanu University. The training process is carried out in four languages: Romanian, Russian, English and French. The environment in which the future specialists in medicine and pharmacy study, the quality of teaching-learning-evaluation, excellence in research, internal and external partnerships, internationalization, academic mobility, the reputation of our teachers and researchers at national and global level, access to a wide range of medical and pharmaceutical informational resources, etc. constitute the strengths, which position the University among the top highest rated higher education institutions of the country.

The challenges of recent years – the global COVID-19 pandemic, a war at the border, the refugee crisis in Ukraine, the energy and economic crisis, etc. – only made us stronger and more confident, with more educational and scientific achievements, such as: diversification of undergraduate study programs, international accreditation of integrated higher education programs, expansion of international partnerships, increase in the number of academic mobility programs for students and teachers, advancement in international rankings and much more.

– ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University is the first internationally accredited higher education institution in the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, at the end of 2022, three integrated higher education programs were internationally accredited. What are the benefits of these certifications for university students and graduates?

– By obtaining institutional accreditation according to the standards of the World Federation for Medical Education, the University has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring quality and excellence in training and research in the field of medicine and pharmacy. This accreditation was a strategic objective of the university community and constitutes an important achievement for both the institutional recognition and the diplomas of Nicolae Testemitanu University graduates on an international level. Indeed, in the year 2022, the integrated medical higher education programs Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy were evaluated by an external commission, in accordance with the standards of the World Federation for Medical Education, and as a result were internationally accredited.

Our efforts focus on the continuous development of the educational offer and services, research and innovation activity, medical and pharmaceutical care, post-graduate studies through residency and the continuing professional education of health professionals throughout the entire life. For this reason, we tend to improve and diversify the study programs, modernize the institutional processes and develop the infrastructure of the University. All these achievements push us to persevere even more, to be competitive and visible internationally, to expand the geographical area of ​​cooperation and recruitment of foreign students.

We proudly note that the first ambassadors of Nicolae Testemitanu University in the world are our graduates appreciated all over the world for their excellent training, professionalism and tenacity.

– What is the educational offer of the University for the year 2024-2025?

– The educational offer meets the requirements of the labor market and the national health system, in such a way that our young people have the possibility to study and work at home, being with their parents and loved ones. Traditionally, the offer includes integrated study programs in Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy - accredited at national and international level. In recent years, the University has launched five undergraduate programs – Optometry, Nursing, Public Health, Technologies in Radiology and Imaging, and Physio-kinesiotherapy and Rehabilitation. In the current year, in addition to the five already existing master's programs - Molecular Technologies in Health, Human Nutrition, Clinical Optometry, Public Mental Health and Public Health Management, the University launched two new programs - Advanced Nursing, to offer the graduates of this program the opportunity for professional growth and Early Childhood Intervention, to strengthen the capacity of the support system of families and children with developmental disorders and disabilities.

I want to emphasize that all study programs are accredited and authorized at the national level by the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research.

– What conditions does the University offer for students?

– The University of Medicine and Pharmacy offers its beneficiaries optimal conditions for studies and research: classrooms and halls endowed with high-performance equipment, scientific centers and modern research laboratories, various opportunities for professional and personal development; over 2100 accommodation places in hostels, canteens, two sports complexes and an outdoor sports field, recreation areas, etc.

An important role in the educational process belongs to the University Center for Simulation in Medical Training, which implements modern methods of training specialists. Here, starting from the second year of studies, students acquire communication skills with patients and train their medical skills with the help of standardized patients and high-fidelity simulators.

To help young people integrate more easily into university life, the Center for Psychological Counseling and Career Guidance was created, which offers counseling and support services to students and employees.

The university is in a continuous development and infrastructure modernization process; thus, we manage to improve the study, research and living conditions. Last year, Hostel no. 1 was rebuilt and renovated according to contemporary requirements. This year, we started the overhaul of Hostel no. 2 and of a study building.

– What opportunities for academic mobility do medical students have?

–  Students benefit from multiple opportunities – internships, scholarships, participation in international projects – activities through which they will continuously develop their professional and personal skills. Doctors who have academic achievements and know well the languages ​​of international circulation can complete practical internships in medical clinics abroad, enrolling in various Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus programs. Through academic mobility programs, several students have realized their dream of going to a foreign country for an exchange of experience and new knowledge. For this purpose, the University has signed 108 collaboration agreements with universities and medical institutions from 27 countries. Thus, during the years of study, medical students can benefit from training courses on various topics, held by renowned professors from different countries, from academic mobility in specialized foreign institutions, from international programs with external funding, etc. The advantages are threefold: the comfort of studying at home, benefiting from studies of European quality and from practical and research internships outside the country, for a determined period. The knowledge and practical skills acquired by students and teachers under academic mobility programs are applied at Alma Mater.

– What options does a Nicolae Testemitanu University graduate have in the Republic of Moldova?

–  After completing their bachelor's studies, graduates can work in specialized institutions or continue their studies at master's programs, later – at doctoral programs. After graduating from an integrated study program such as Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy, the second stage of professional training follows - the residency. Those who are passionate about research can continue their studies at the Doctoral School in the field of Health Sciences. We encourage all graduates of our university to work in the country's health care institutions, which are facing a shortage of specialist doctors and nurses. Together we must contribute to improving the quality of healthcare and strengthening the national health system for the benefit of the people.

 Contemporary society and medicine are developing at a rapid pace, and the knowledge and skills of doctors and pharmacists require continuous improvement. Currently, the University offers 428 education programs in the field of medicine and pharmacy.

 – How do you assess the interest of young people in the ”Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy?

– Analyzing the data of recent years, we note with satisfaction that there is an interest in medical specialties, and we hope that there will be such an interest in the future as well, because the country needs young specialists to strengthen the health system. Last year we had quite a large demand from young people who wanted to continue their studies at our university. This proves to us that the professions of doctor and pharmacist remain prestigious and even the pandemic caused by the new type of coronavirus did not discourage applicants from building a career in these fields, on the contrary, they showed courage and willingness to lend a hand to help medical institutions.

 We are sure that this year again, determined, intelligent and empathetic young people will opt for the University of Medicine. I would like to emphasize the fact that the best graduates of high schools and colleges of medicine study at our university, over the years they fully assert themselves and achieve remarkable results both in teaching and in research activity, as well as in various sports competitions and national and international contests. And we are proud of them because they are the future of medicine. It goes without saying that to become a good healthcare professional you need to have the ability to learn, analyze and make the right decisions. However, Medicine is also famous for the fact that here you learn a lot and in depth... Therefore, those who choose Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy..., are aware from the start that their professional choice requires a lot of work, diligence, dedication and responsibility.

– How will the competition for admission to higher studies at ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University be conducted this year?

– Registration for the admission competition will take place exclusively online on the government platform eadmitere.gov.md. The platform will open on the first day of submission of applications - July 22. The filing process will include several steps: account creation; entering the requested data; paying the competition registration fee; attaching scanned copies of documents (if applicable); and sending the file. Completing the fields with the requested information is equivalent to completing the application to participate in the contest, so it is not necessary to complete a separate form. The scanned copies of the documents will be uploaded and transmitted through the respective platform.

 We recommend young people to follow the University's website at the 2024 Admissions section – https://admission.usmf.md/en, where all the information about the educational offer for the academic year 2024-2025, the regulations and the details regarding the organization and conduct of the admission process at our university is placed.

– Do you have any messages for potential study candidates?

– Dear young people, it is known that every person has a mission in this world... Starting from the idea that the best investment is the one in education, I encourage you to realize your aspirations and to put in all the effort and energy to succeed in life. Surely, the specialty you invest in today will bring you a sense of personal fulfillment and professional satisfaction tomorrow.

 Medicine has always had a fundamental role in society, and the nobility and prestige of the professions of doctor, dentist, pharmacist, public health specialist, nurse, optometrist, radiology technician or kinesiotherapist can certainly lead you to make the best choice for a prosperous future.

 Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy is the institution where you can fully exploit your intellectual capacities by choosing one of the study programs. Thus, you will become the representatives of noble professions and an elite community, you will be the ones who will take care of people's health, you will relieve pain and you will directly bring back hope in life.