Implementation of Dual Education in Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to analyze the institutional and legislative framework of dual education, identify the main benefits of this educational model, and evaluate its role in increasing graduates’ employability and strengthening cooperation between universities and the business sector. The article examines the implementation and development of dual higher education in the Republic of Moldova as a modern mechanism for aligning university studies with labor market requirements. Methodology used is based on qualitative, documentary, comparative, and analytical methods used to examine analysis of official reports, legislative documents, methodological guides, and materials developed within the European project COOPERA – “Integrating Dual Higher Education in Moldova and Ukraine”. By analyzing official statistics and the experiences of institutions participating in the pilot projects, the study incorporates aspects of empirical research and case study analysis. Three Moldovan universities - the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), the Technical University of Moldova (UTM), and the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM) - are the focus of special attention regarding the pilot implementation of dual higher education (Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, 2021). The process of implementing and developing dual higher education inside higher education institutions in the Republic of Moldova is the subject of this article's research. The findings reveal that the successful implementation of dual vocational education since 2014 created favorable conditions for extending the model to higher education institutions beginning with 2022. Statistical data demonstrate a high employability rate among graduates of dual programs and increased interest from employers in participating in the educational process. The study also emphasizes how dual higher education helps students gain practical skills, makes it easier for them to enter the workforce, and advances the modernization of the country's educational system. According to the article's conclusion, dual higher education is a strategic path for the Republic of Moldova that may enhance the standard of higher education and promote sustainable economic growth by fostering closer ties between universities and businesses. UDC: 378.018.7(478); JEL: I21, I23, J24, O15