On February 16–17, 2026, the State University of Moldova hosted the seminar “Strengthening Graduates’ Competitiveness in the Labor Market through Monitoring, Career Guidance, and Institutional Cooperation”, organized within the framework of the Erasmus+ UPGRADE project — “Enhancing Graduates’ Competitiveness in the Labor Market in Moldova.”
The event brought together representatives of higher education institutions from the Republic of Moldova, institutional coordinators, and career guidance experts from the University of Valencia, the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, and the 1 December 1918 University of Alba Iulia. The seminar was also attended by representatives of Moldovan universities participating in the UPGRADE consortium, as well as officials from the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova.
The discussions focused on strengthening institutional mechanisms aimed at improving graduates’ competitiveness in the labor market.
The seminar was officially opened by the Rector of the State University, Igor Șarov, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research, Adriana Cazacu, and the UPGRADE Project Coordinator, Olesea Sîrbu.
The program featured two thematic sessions devoted to:
- monitoring graduate employment in higher education institutions and developing evidence-based policies;
- strengthening the regulatory framework of career guidance centers with the support of the UPGRADE project.
Partner universities presented case studies and European best practices in the development of career guidance services.
The second day of the seminar, February 17, focused on project financial management and internal quality assurance. Participants reviewed budget implementation, reporting mechanisms, and performance indicators, and approved the operational work plan for the next 12 months.
The UPGRADE project demonstrates a high level of professional implementation, is progressing according to schedule, and enjoys full support from Moldovan higher education institutions, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the European partner universities.
