Over the past week, a delegation of lecturers and students from Moldova State University visited Tartu and Tallinn as part of a Skytte-led cooperation project

The visit and related activities were organised within the framework of the project “Enhancing Moldova’s Europeanization Through Innovative Teaching Practices” (Best4ME), funded by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and coordinated by the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu (UT), in partnership with Moldova State University (MSU).  

Best4ME has the objective to develop research and teaching expertise in European Studies by involving local teaching staff and management and prepare graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge for future employment in the organizations responsible for implementing societal reforms key to Moldova’s European integration (government institutions, administration structures, NGOs). 

Ten students and three staff members of Moldova State University joined an intensive study week to discuss Moldova’s Europeanization and challenges of EU enlargement. The activities combined in-class learning and out-class activities as well as practical and academic learning. 

Together with our in-house Skytte lecturers, from Monday to Thursday, Moldovan students discussed such relevant topics as dilemmas of the EU foreign policy, ideas and understanding of Europe, bordering and de-bordering in the Eastern Neighbourhood, Estonia’s transition and digital transformation, and feminist activism in the post-Soviet space. 

On Friday and Saturday, the group moved to Tallinn where students and lecturers met stakeholders and decision-makers and visited the Estonian Parliament, the Foreign Ministry, the Estonian School of Diplomacy, and the Tallinn’s Europe House. 

Across the study week, under the guidance of Dr. Stefano Braghiroli and Ms. Anna Beitane, participants were also exposed to innovative European Studies pedagogies and digital and interactive learning methods and teaching tools. By working in small groups, students exchanged ideas, experiences, and learned from each other. They presented their group work and received valuable feedback from both Skytte and MSU staff.  

In Tallinn, participants were awarded a participation certificate by Dr. Stefano Braghiroli, on behalf of the Skytte institute, Professor Valentina Teosa on behalf of MSU, and Ms. Marika Kundla in representation of the Estonian Centre for International Development. 

According to Dr. Stefano Braghiroli, Associate Professor of European Studies at the University of Tartu and academic coordinator of the project, “the study week and students’ exposure to innovative and interactive teaching in the field of European studies has the potential to determine a concrete and positive impact on Moldova’s path towards full EU membership, while ideally connecting Chisinau and Tartu. By bridging effective academic exchange and pro-active learning we can contribute to turn the next generation of local graduates into the first generation of Moldova’s EU citizens.”