Nine high schools in the Southern region of the Republic of Moldova have opened their digital laboratories with the support of EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul
Innovative, creative and fully equipped with modern digital devices – this is what looks like the Digital Laboratory located in the Theoretical High School „Alexei Mateevici” from Alexandru Ioan Cuza village, Cahul district. The high school opened the doors of the newly renovated building to host the launch event of the „Digital Laboratories” project – an initiative joined by eight other institutions in the region related to the „Tekwill in Every School” programme. Within them, about 3,000 students will have the opportunity to develop their digital skills and adapt to current demands on the labour market, in order to access attractive professional opportunities at home, in the Republic of Moldova.
“The EU4Moldova: Start-up City Cahul project, part of the larger EU4Moldova: Key Regions programme, implemented in Cahul and Ungheni, supports the digital transformation of the Moldovan economy and society. The launch of digital labs, a national initiative, is a step forward for the new generation to acquire digital skills that are very necessary and essential for progress, development and prosperity. I invite students from the Cahul region and their teachers to take advantage of the new opportunities and urge other schools to join the initiative „The future is in your hands!”,
declared Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
“It is inspiring to see that digital learning in schools is increasingly developing here in Moldova. As a concept, digital labs are very popular in Sweden and we are sure that they will become successful locally as well. These modern technology laboratories will fully become centres of excellence in the design of thinking and innovation, where art and creativity can be combined with codes and algorithms. The practical courses will encourage young people, girls and boys, in their first interactions with the languages of programming, robotics and automation and, finally, will help them to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in their future job.”,
stated Katarina Fried, Swedish Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.
Seven of the institution’s teachers studied new subjects in the „Tekwill in Every School” programme. Here, about 160 students from the Southern part of the country are training and improving their digital skills – an absolute necessity for today’s professions, but especially for those of the future. That is why Digital Laboratories are equipped with modern digital equipment, but also well-designed spaces that stimulate logical thinking and creativity.
Tatiana Buciuceanu, director of „Alexei Mateevici” Theoretical High School from Alexandru Ioan Cuza village, Cahul district mentioned:
„The digital laboratory was extremely essential in our high school with the implementation of the project” Tekwill in Every School „ information technologies. In the computer room, the equipment is not advanced enough, and the students cannot complete their projects according to the current requirements. Especially since many children do not have the necessary devices to practice at home. After the opening and supply of the digital laboratory, we have new equipment and it is much easier to carry out the classes and help the students to acquire the necessary skills for their training, but also to access the professions of the future.”
Each laboratory within the project comprises five thematic areas: the area for teachers equipped with a desk, a large screen and an interactive blackboard; the student area is equipped with laptops, computers and webcams, printing area; the creative area has a blackboard and “fluffy” armchairs, but also a storage area. They ensure both the uniform unfolding of thematic courses and provide access to information technology for students who do not have a digital device at home. This year, other 8 digital laboratories will be opened in schools in the Southern region of the country.
