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TAM Report / Moldova - internationalisation

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Petya Mitova • 3 November 2025
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GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Inclusive and Intercultural Engagement of HEIs to Nurture Campus Diversity and to Support Internationalisation at Home

Type of Event: Seminar

Modality: Online

Country: Moldova

Dates: 13 and 22 November 2024

Participants: 40 representatives of higher education institutions from Moldova, rectors, vice-rectors for internationalisation, DRI departments staff and the Ministry of Education and Research

               

THEMES COVERED

  • Internationalisation at Home (IaH) and its role in fostering intercultural communication and inclusion.

  • Equity and equality in integrating international and local students within higher education institutions.

  • Institutional strategies and policies supporting diversity, inclusion, and internationalisation. 

  • Cultural adaptation and context-specific approaches to implementing internationalisation.

  • Collaboration between HEIs and ministries to strengthen national frameworks for inclusive education.

 

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

  • Recognised the need to integrate equity and equality into institutional internationalisation policies to ensure inclusive participation of all students.
  • Understood that internationalisation is an ongoing process requiring long-term planning and adaptation to different cultural and institutional contexts.
  • Identified Internationalisation at Home (IaH) as a practical approach to strengthen intercultural communication and inclusion within universities.
  • Highlighted the importance of institutional and national support, including regulatory frameworks and training for staff involved in internationalisation.
  • Acknowledged the value of collaboration with European partners to exchange good practices and modernise internationalisation efforts in Moldova.

OVERVIEW

The two-day event focused on the concept of Internationalisation at Home (IaH) and its connection to diversity and inclusion (D&I) in European higher education. Day 1 began with a keynote presentation on the state of inclusive education in EU universities, followed by interactive activities to establish a collaborative environment for discussion. Workshops examined internationalisation policies, while sessions addressed topics such as campus cultural diversity, equality and equity, and intersectionality. A panel with representatives from Moldovan universities presented institutional approaches to internationalisation and inclusion, and the day concluded with group reflections and planning exercises. 

Day 2 placed internationalisation within the context of European history, migration, systemic challenges, and geopolitics. A workshop on Moldova’s historical background complemented these discussions. The event concluded with sessions summarising strategies, exchanging practices, and reviewing approaches for applying IaH and D&I within institutional settings.

 

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Follow-up working sessions on advancing institutional internationalisation reform in Moldova.

Dates: 25 November and 2 December 2024

Audience: A total of 38 participants took part in the two follow-up sessions.

Description: Two follow-up working sessions were organised at the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) as a continuation of the two-day workshop on Inclusive and Intercultural Engagement of HEIs to Nurture Campus Diversity and Support Internationalisation at Home.

The sessions aimed to address challenges related to the implementation of ASEM’s internationalisation strategy, strengthen the participation of academic and administrative staff in internationalisation processes, improve the integration of international students, and draft an operational plan to guide future activities promoting intercultural engagement on campus. 

The first working session, held on 25 November 2024, gathered 24 members of the ASEM Council, including the rector, vice-rectors, deans, and heads of departments. Discussions focused on integrating inclusion and intercultural competences into curricula and extracurricular activities to support the creation of a multicultural learning environment. 

The second working session, held on 2 December 2024, brought together 14 participants from the international relations office, project and programme units, and other administrative departments such as academic affairs and financial planning. The discussion centred on improving institutional processes, enhancing services for international students and visiting academics, and developing an operational plan for strengthening intercultural community building at ASEM.

Together, the sessions supported institutional reform by aligning academic and administrative efforts to foster inclusion, diversity, and internationalisation at home.

 

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

  • Integrate inclusive teaching and learning practices by adopting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and culturally responsive pedagogies across all programs.
  • Diversify curricula and research by incorporating multiple knowledge systems, promoting equitable collaboration, and ensuring continuous content review for bias.
  • Implement equitable recruitment and promotion processes through diverse hiring panels, structured interviews, and transparent career pathways.
  • Enhance onboarding and professional development by offering tailored induction programs, mentorship opportunities, and continuous DEI training for all staff.
  • Strengthen campus accessibility and student support by ensuring physical and digital accessibility, inclusive housing, and culturally competent counseling services.
  • Promote inclusive governance and leadership by increasing representation in decision-making bodies and embedding DEI principles into institutional strategies.
  • Foster community engagement and visibility by creating cultural spaces, celebrating diversity, and maintaining transparent communication on progress in inclusion efforts.

 

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

 

 

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