Nicolae Testemitanu Medical University of Moldova marks 80th anniversary of work; Moldovan president says University presently valued not only in Moldova, but also far beyond its borders

The Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF) of Moldova marks its 80th anniversary of activity. Over eight decades, the institution has established itself as a benchmark in the medical and pharmaceutical education, research and innovation in the health field. On the occasion of the celebration, an anniversary ceremony titled, Eighty years of vision, identity, and European excellence, dedicated to the founding and sustainable activity of USMF, was organized Chisinau today.

The festive event was attended by President Maia Sandu, Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, and His Royal Highness Prince Radu, EU Ambassador to Chisinau Iwona Piorko, Health Minister Ala Nemerenco, Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun, professors and academicians from beyond the country's borders.

USMF Rector Emil Ceban emphasized that, during 80 years, tens of generations of doctors had been trained, scientific schools had been built to serve the health and life of people.

"This anniversary is a lesson of reflection on the time that has passed and the noble mission that continues. A history that began 80 years ago, when from a single faculty, that of medicine, a university was born, a heart of knowledge, discoveries, and life expectancy. Over 51,000 graduates carry the name of our university worldwide. Each name, each class, each oath taken at graduation is a part of our shared history - a history measured not in years, but in lives and changed destinies. The professors who built our university were more than teachers; they were mentors, models of moral benchmarks worthy of being followed. Today, we honor all those who carried this torch forward, those who kept the university alive with dedication and honor. On their foundation, we have built a modern university where tradition and innovation go together today. For us, innovation is not just a word, but a commitment to transforming knowledge into progress, research into solution and education into life. We are proud to be part of the most prestigious international university networks, which represents not only prestige, but also responsibility. We confidently assume the full integration of the Moldovan medical education and practice into the European space of values, quality, innovation and excellence. Today, after 80 years of prolific activity, the university looks to the future, and we stay faithful to the values of medicine - truth, professionalism, humanity, and respect for life. The doctor's oath has been the same for eight decades - to serve humanity, regardless of time or border and our noble mission is to pass this oath forward," said Emil Ceban.

The guest of honor at the event, President Maia Sandu emphasized that the university had trained generations of people dedicated to the health and lives of those around them for eight decades.

"People look at medicine with great hope; they want a medical system that treats them with dignity and professionalism. Each doctor, whether practicing in Chisinau, Balti, or a village, represents support and a benchmark for their community. Therefore, your university not only trains specialists, but also strengthens trust between people and the state. Dear professors, researchers, dear doctors, your work is very hard. It is a work of day and night, of patience and trust, a work in which we learn from mistakes and celebrate successes that give meaning to all efforts. Thank you for every act of care, for every student trained, for every patient helped. Congratulations on your university being appreciated today not only in Moldova, but also far beyond our borders. Congratulations on this important anniversary and for each of your contributions to the common good. Happy Anniversary, with health and many successes in continuation!", noted Maia Sandu.

In his speech, His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania emphasized that the graduates of USMF Nicolae Testemitanu carried the name with dignity and pride in medical institutions around the world.

"The graduates of this university are those who repay your efforts from these 80 years, because they are recognized not only here, in Chisinau, in the hospitals and clinics in the country, but also in many countries around the world. Through them, your country is already integrated into the European Union. Thank you for the privilege of being with you and we hope to meet again soon on many other happy occasions," remarked His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania.

EU Ambassador to Chisinau Iwona Piorko pointed out that USMF Nicolae Testemitanu had continuously aligned itself with European standards in education and science.

"Congratulations to the university leadership for their vision, the academic community for their rigor, and, of course, the students for their energy, curiosity, and determination. The European Union welcomes these advances and stays committed to supporting the health sector, as well as education on the European path of Moldova. Happy Anniversary!" added the official.

Health Minister Ala Nemerenco emphasized that USMF Nicolae Testemitanu was the reference institution for medical scientific education and research in Moldova.

"The training of future doctors, pharmacists, bio-engineers, assistants, and researchers starts from here. Dear university collaborators, your mission is the most important and also the most difficult one, for which we express our every gratitude and admiration. The Health Ministry invests primarily in strengthening human resources in the field, supporting the university through continuous professional training and development programmes, national and international internships, international research projects and studies, as well as initiatives that stimulate academic excellence and research. Besides that, we pay very important attention to motivating medical staff and supporting young specialists through increased salaries and many other benefits that allow them to develop and convince them to stay at home. For over three years of activity, unprecedented investments have been made, worth over 4 billion lei, in strengthening the health system infrastructure, endowment with the most modern equipment, in order to fortify institutional capacities. Dear professors, I want to congratulate you for having gone beyond the limits of the university and even the country's borders. The Health Ministry stands by you as the founder and together we can build a European future. Thank you and congratulations!" concluded Ala Nemerenco.

Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun conveyed a congratulatory message to the university's professors and graduates. Thus, according to him, "one of the success indicators for a university is the extent to which the young people of this country want to pursue their studies there, and USMF Nicolae Testemitanu is a champion in this regard."

"Each year, the best graduates of our lyceums choose to come here for their studies, and this is the best indicator that the university is doing the right thing, because it generates an attractive and competitive study environment for our young people. You have opened doors through which we want many more universities in our country to enter, and it is a fantastic opportunity for Moldova to have such an example here at home. This year alone, over 300 young people from India, Israel, France, Morocco, Belgium, Finland and other countries have come here because there is education, international accreditations, capacity, and desire for innovation and perseverance. The Ministry of Education, alongside the Ministry of Health, has contributed to this modernization process. In recent years, with World Bank’s support, we have invested over 4 million euros here, and with these resources, two scientific and didactic centers have been created, and laboratories have been equipped. The university has proved extraordinary capacity for implementation. We would like such a well-organized team in all public institutions of Moldova in this regard. Once again, congratulations on what you have managed to build here from a managerial point of view. Beyond algorithms and machines, the doctor remains the person who listens, understands and gives hope. Therefore, this is the essential mission of the university - to educate doctors who know how to read both the results of complex investigations and the emotion of a patient. On this anniversary day, I wish you to go confidently into the future towards research, innovation, towards medicine that unites technology with empathy. Happy Anniversary to all who, through science, responsibility and soul, honor the medicine of Moldova," said Dan Perciun.

Presently, over 7,000 students study at USMF Nicolae Testemitanu, of whom 1,500 from 31 countries around the world. At the same time, there are 422 doctoral students in the Doctoral School of Medical Sciences under the tutelage of 306 doctoral advisors. Moreover, 9,500 medical practitioners, pharmacists and health specialists follow annual continuous medical education programs.

The scientific and teaching staff of USMF Nicolae Testemitanu consists of 1,017 people, including 153 habilitated doctors and 509 Ph.D. holders, six academicians of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM) and five correspondent members of ASM.

During its 80 years of activity, USMF Nicolae Testemitanu has signed 127 collaboration agreements with universities and research centers from 32 countries.