History

The Moldova State University (MSU) is the first higher education institution with the status of a university, established in Moldova. Founded on October 1, 1946, and initially named Chisinau State University, it managed to create a solid national and international reputation. The establishment of the university became a pillar of higher education development and consolidation in our country.

Initially at the MSU there were 5 faculties: Physics and Mathematics, Geology and Soil Science, Biology, Chemistry, History and Philology. In the first year (1946-1947) the 12 Chairs have enrolled 320 students and the educational process was guided by 35 professors. In 1958 the MSU has inaugurated the correspondence education section, which still functions at some of the Faculties. The evening section was available for a number of years (1958-1981) to facilitate training of young specialists.

Soon the MSU became the recognized leader of the national higher education system, responding to the needs of the society through diversification of programs provided and establishing new subdivisions, departments and faculties: Faculty of Economics (1953 and reestablished 2002), Faculty of Law (1959), Faculty of Engineering and Technology (1959), Faculty of Foreign Languages (1964), Department for Training of Foreign Students (1967), Faculty of Journalism (1980), Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology (1994), Faculty of Political Science (1995), Computing Centre (1973).

In 1946-1988 the MSU was part of the Soviet university system, being managed from Moscow (the capital of the USSR). After the collapse of the Soviet Union major changes have been made in the national education system. In 1988-1996 the university improved traditional teaching and learning forms and applied new technologies. On January 19, 1990, the institution gets its present name – the Moldova State University.

During 70 years of its existence the MSU became an elite university center both at national and international level. About 120 000 graduates of this university work in various areas: economy, education, culture, justice, politics, etc. A greater part of intellectual elite of Moldova was shaped here. The Moldova State University is the first higher education institution that was accredited at the national level (2001).

The Moldova State University is the first nationally accredited higher education institution (2001). Educational process is performed by a high level academic community, capable to provide teaching and learning at the level required by the labour market, aligned to modern training paradigms due to joining in May 2005 the Bologna Process.

In 2011, at its 65th anniversary, as a sign of high appreciation of the outstanding merits in development of national university education and promotion of reform in that area, for substantial contribution to training highly qualified specialists and young researchers, the Moldova State University was awarded the highest state distinction – „OrdinulRepublicii” (Order of the Republic).

Since 2013, the Moldova State University is on the first place in the top most prestigious universities of Moldova, according to Ranking Web of Universities results, developed by the Supreme Council of Scientific Research from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain. This proves that the MSU is a competitive higher education establishment, whose graduates have a broad range of employment opportunities.

The Moldova State University is a natural environment for academic freedom. Here pluralism of opinions, creativity, as well as the tendency to ensure quality of highly qualified professional training are and have always been supported. The university turned into a democracy lab with ideas generated based on a constructive dialog between the students and faculty.

The Moldova State University enjoys a modern infrastructure that corresponds to international standards providing for the activities of both students and academic staff and creating a supportive environment for education and research. The university infrastructure includes 6 study blocks, 10 university student hostels, University Library, Palace of Sports, Cultural Centre, canteen, internship and recreation facilities.

Presently, the Moldova State University is one of the most important higher education institutions from the country. There are about 11 000 students at all three cycles (Licentiate, Master, Doctorate), who study at over a hundred programs of licentiate and master cycles in the framework of 11 faculties, and 4 doctoral schools.

The Moldova State University is recognized in the area of international university education and is integrated into a strong network of international cooperation: about 110 bilateral cooperation agreements with higher education institutions from 28 countries. Today the Moldova State University is a member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), the University Agency of Francophonie (AUF) and the Eurasian Association of Universities (AEU).

In 2011 the MSU has become a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Republic of Moldova – Romania – Ukraine (CUMRU), and since November 23, 2018 is an associate member of the University Consortium, of which the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, the Bucharest University, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, AlexandruIoanCuza University of Iași and West University of Timișoara.