site.btaUniversity of Taraclia to Preserve its Academic Autonomy and Identity

Moldovan authorities have decided not to merge the Grigory Tsamblak University of Taraclia with the Ion Creanga State Pedagogical University of Chisinau, thus proving an opportunity for the University of Taraclia to preserve its academic autonomy and identity, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev's press secretariat said here on Saturday.

Initially, the Moldovan Government has decided to convert the University of Taraclia into a department of the State Pedagogical University in Chisinau as a part of a reform in its education sector. This stirred up discontent among the Bulgarian minority in Moldova. On July 6, representatives of various structures of the Taraclia region and of the Bulgarian social and cultural organizations of Moldova gathered to express their deep concern and asked that the issue of the status of Taraclia University be resolved by means of international negotiations between Bulgaria and Moldova. They insisted that the University of Taraclia should be a department of the Angel Kunchev University of Ruse or an independent University under the Moldovan law which is fully funded by Bulgaria. A day later, Bulgarian President Radev discussed the matter with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in a telephone conversation.

In a letter, the management of the University of Taraclia expressed their gratitude to Radev for his help in resolving the issue.