Rectors of higher education institutions from Moldova consider the draft Education Code, which is to replace the 1995 Education Law, is welcome and much awaited, but needs to be improved and synchronized with the provisions of the Bologna Process. The objections as to the document were expressed Monday at the sitting of the relevant Parliamentary Committee, Info-Prim Neo reports. The objections refer, particularly, to the financing of the education system and accrediting institutions. The rectors insist that the new code should provide for financing the education system with at least 7% from the Gross Domestic Product and not up to 7% as the draft provides for, what can mean 2 and 3%. [Ion Bostan, the chairman of the rectors board, the interim rector of the Technical University (UTM)], proposes a new heading to the draft – concerning the participation of companies in training personnel. “90% of the Moldovan economy economy is privatized. Why should not the companies share the burden of training personnel? In many European countries the higher education is supported by companies which contribute to the remuneration fund,” he said. The UTM rector believes that banning the training of specialists on contract basis in state universities will have negative consequences, in case the state does not have enough money. Ion Bostan should be allowed to provide training on contract basis partially. He also says mechanisms should be created to motivate students to study – the right to get scholarships from the Government should be reconfirmed every year, not only when admitted. [The rector of the Economic Studies Academy (ASEM), Grigore Belostecinic], says the financing issue is not clearly set out in the draft. “In case the public universities are fully financed by the Government, the education provided should not be lower than now when there two two financing sources. Otherwise, the institutions may degrade,” Belostecinic says. In principle, the rectors do not oppose the exclusive governmental financing of the universities, but they think it imperiously necessary that the budgetary funding should be sufficient to insure a high level of the studies, the ASEM's rector underlines. He stands to allow the universities being accredited by levels (licensing, masterships, doctorships). Although the Bologna Process, to which Moldova is part, provides for these three cycles of higher education, the draft establishes the doctorship as post-universitary education. [Ion Ababii, the rector of the Medicine University], which switched to direct and full financing from the state four years ago, says the institution is getting along hardly, especially in terms of remunerating professors. Ion Ababii thinks that accrediting the universities should be done by an entity not subordinated to the Education and Youth Ministry, as foreign experts should be invited for assistance. In the opinion of [the rector of the Tiraspol State University, based in Chisinau, Mitrofan Ciobanu], the text of the draft should be substantially edited to match the pedagogical terminology. More stress should be laid on the role of the Education Ministry which should be the key actor in the educational system. The draft Education Code was publicized earlier in October and is to be approved by the Parliament till the year-end. According to Education Minister Larisa Savga, the draft contains a series of innovations, which will lead to the modernization of the educational system in Moldova.