Skytte-led project CONNECT4MORE has been successfully concluded with a final event at Moldova State University

The main results of the project “Connecting Estonia and Moldova for European Readiness and Innovative Education” (CONNECT4MORE) were presented on 9 December at a concluding event hosted by Moldova State University (MSU). The project, funded by the Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation (ESTDEV), was implemented by the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu in close cooperation with MSU.

CONNECT4MORE was launched to support the full Europeanization of Moldovan higher education with specific attention to learners and educators by strengthening university-level teaching capacities, improving digital skills, and supporting civic awareness especially in the field of European integration. Since its start, the project has contributed to advancing pedagogical innovation, fostering cross-border cooperation, and building an effective exchange of experience between Estonia and Moldova.

The final event gathered representatives of the two partner universities, key governmental stakeholders as well as students and educators. The programme featured presentations of project results, exchange with participants in the project’s activities, and a hands-on teacher workshop.

Opening remarks were delivered by representatives of MSU – including Vice-Rector Vladimir Dolghi, Dean Alexandru Solcan, and Prof. Valentina Teosa – as well as by Dr. Stefano Braghiroli and Ms. Anna Beitane on behalf of the Johan Skytte Institute. Representatives of the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Ministry of Education highlighted the relevance of CONNECT4MORE’s contribution to the country’s European path.

The event also offered space for student and teacher testimonials, where beneficiaries highlighted how participation in CONNECT4MORE enhanced their academic experience, developed new competencies, and encouraged meaningful engagement with European topics.

A dedicated From Teacher-to-Teacher Workshop allowed Moldovan educators who contributed to the MOOC and BIP activities to exchange good practices, discuss video production and assessment design, and reflect on long-term integration of digital learning tools.

Overall, the project managed to achieve the following outcomes:

• Development and co-creation of the first-ever Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offered by a Moldovan university. The course entitled “Moldova and EU integration” (1 ECTS) attracted more than 300 participants.
• Organization of an Blended intensive programme (BIP) “Challenges and Opportunities of the Enlargement Process in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood” (5 ECTS) involving 10 UT students and 10 students from MSU and consisting of a webinar series and a one-week study visit to Estonia.
• Visit to Estonia by 10 bachelors’ students and 2 teaching staff members in September for an intensive 1-week study experience at our Institute and interaction with fellow UT students, including visits to key institutions in Tallinn.
• Organization of an online teacher training program on developing MOOCs joined by 68 Moldovan educators.
• Organization of a 1-week intensive training on MOOC development and filming, online teaching didactics, and digital education formats in Tartu and Tallinn.

“CONNECT4MORE has shown how much can be achieved when academic communities work together with dedication, openness, and a shared European vision,” said Dr. Stefano Braghiroli, Academic Coordinator of the project and Associate Professor at the University of Tartu. “The joint efforts of our Moldovan and Estonian colleagues have strengthened teaching capacities, empowered students, and built a foundation for long-term cooperation. This project has been a privilege – and an investment in our common European future.”

“Through CONNECT4MORE we have developed new tools, skills, and networks that will continue to benefit Moldova State University long after the project ends,” noted Anna Beitane, Project Coordinator at the University of Tartu. “The enthusiasm shown by students and teachers alike proves that innovation in higher education thrives when we create opportunities to learn from one another.”