March 6, 2023
Earlier this year, a Moldova delegation met with various faculty and staff from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy to learn more about pharmacy education and research in the United States and to discuss future areas for collaboration.
The delegation included seven faculty members from the Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Chișinău, Moldova. They are one of the School’s key partners in the Global Pharmacy Scholars (GPS) program. The School continues to send students to the university in Moldova and hosts students from Moldova through this partnership, which began in 2016.
“Moldova has been a longstanding partner in the GPS program, which allows students the opportunity to experience pharmacy on a global scale,” said Stephen Eckel, Pharm.D., M.H.A., associate dean of global engagement and clinical associate professor. “This visit has already paved the way for greater communication and collaboration between our universities. We are excited to continue exploring ways to expand exchange efforts and support advancement of pharmacy education, practice and research in Moldova.”
The delegation spent eight days visiting different organizations in the Triangle area. This was part of the North Carolina-Moldova Bilateral Partnership formalized in 1999 between the Republic of Moldova and the State of North Carolina. The partnership facilitates cooperation in the areas of civil emergency operations, expansion of markets, cultural, scientific, and academic exchanges, and the coordination of humanitarian efforts of many government and non-governmental organizations.
Their visit highlighted what the two schools have in common, such as empowering patients to be involved in their care, mentoring students in research and training providers in rural areas. The time together was also an inspiration for many faculty members.
“I really enjoyed meeting the Moldova delegation and was very impressed with what I learned. We shared many of the same interests, and I hope to visit Moldova in the future to start brainstorming on research and training partnerships,” said Betsy Sleath, Ph.D., regional associate dean-Eastern North Carolina and George H. Cocolas Distinguished Professor in the Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy.
This visit was made possible by the generosity of the Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly known as the Open World Leadership Center). Delegates included Dr. Emil Ceban, rector of the university; Dr. Oleg Solomon, dean of the dental school; Dr. Tatiana Novac, head of the legal and human resources departments; Dr. Marcel Abras, vice-rector for social activity, head of cardiology education; Dr. Virginia Salaru, nursing school, head of academic quality management department; Dr. Liliana Dogotari, school of pharmacy, head of social pharmacy department; Dr. Evelina Gherghelegiu, head of the international affairs department.