The preservation and development of Taraclia University as a centre of education, spirituality and culture of the Bulgarian community in Moldova was discussed at a working meeting in Sofia on the initiative of the Head of State. The meeting was attended by the caretaker Minister of Education and Science Galin Tsokov and members of his team, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives of the leadership of the Angel Kanchev University of Rousse.

 

In the course of the session, the forthcoming transformation of the status of Taraclia University as a subdivision of the Ruse University "Angel Kanchev" was discussed. In this regard, the need to increase the number of specialties offered to young people in Moldova, to raise the educational standards and above all to maintain the focus of the university's activities as a centre for the training of staff in the field of Bulgarian language and pedagogy was highlighted. In this way, the University could establish itself as a regional educational centre offering high quality education and attracting young ethnic Bulgarians in Moldova and from other countries in the region, as well as young people of other nationalities. The possibility for students studying at Taraclia University to obtain diplomas recognised within the European Union will further strengthen the university's prestige, the participants further said.

 

The Head of State highly appreciated Moldova's readiness to finance the studies of a certain number of students at Taraclia University and called on the Bulgarian institutions to speed up the envisaged budgetary funding from the Bulgarian side for the needs of the university. At the same time, the President also highlighted the need to increase transparency and control over these funds, which would increase the efficiency of their spending.