Two virtual medicine rooms opened at ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University with the support of the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova

Students from Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy will apply innovative technologies in modern medical education and research thanks to a donation of high-performance equipment. The donation was provided under the Digitalization of Education project, 2nd edition, funded by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova (DRRM) of the Government of Romania. 

The inauguration of the two virtual medicine rooms took place at the University's Department of Pathology, on November 28, 2025, being attended by DRRM representatives - Ana Maria Dumitroiu-Sofalca, head of service, and Ioana Necula, counselor, First Vice-Rector Olga Cernetchi, vice-rector for teaching activity and academic management, members of the University administration, heads of departments and studies, teaching staff, students and resident physicians.

The first vice-rector highlighted the usefulness of this high-performance equipment for increasing the quality of medical education and research at Nicolae Testemitanu University, processes carried out in accordance with international standards. "Today, the paradigm of medical education has changed. According to European directives and the principles of bioethics, it is recommended to reduce the use of biomaterials and cadaveric material and move to a new development stage: simulation centers in medicine and the use of digital and virtual study programs. This donation is a continuation of the previous one, when with the support of the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova we received a high-performance scanner - digital imaging system. We are grateful to our partners and thank them for their responsible contribution to the development of the skills of specialist doctors and pharmacists at Nicolae Testemitanu University, the first vice-rector said.

"The Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova continues the series of actions to digitize the teaching-learning process in educational institutions of the Republic of Moldova. Today we continued this action, which constituted a challenge, but also our desire to further develop the Pathology Department and Laboratory. We came with state-of-the-art equipment, practically an integrated system that involves improving teaching-learning methods at Nicolae Testemitanu University, so that education proceeds according to modern standards, European standards. We thank the representatives of the University for the active dialogue, we are already like a small family, the door being open from both sides, and we demonstrate these commitments through fruitful projects like this. We hope that this collaboration will continue for other departments and laboratories that require state-of-the-art equipment. We hope that students will enjoy and use these facilities to their fullest capacity", said Ioana Necula, DRRM advisor.

Associate Professor Eugen Melnic, Habilitated Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Pathology, specified that the implementation of this equipment in medical training would contribute to improving the skills of studying human anatomy and physiology, molecular biology and human genetics, the structure of the cell, organs and some pathological conditions. "This will allow the future doctor to better analyze the patient's condition, which will result in a correct diagnosis and more effective treatment for patients," concluded the head of the department. 

Finally, the audience witnessed a simulation of the use of the new equipment in the teaching process with the participation of a group of students, guided by Mihai Dascal, assistant professor at the Department of Pathology, Discipline of Pathophysiology. 

"With the application of these technologies, we can track all the changes that occur in cells and tissues, certain physiological processes or pathological changes, and all the changes that may subsequently occur in an organ or in the human body. I liked it very much! It is very useful and demonstrative. We hope to use them as often as possible and not only in the disciplines of the first years of studies, but also beyond, to see some surgical interventions that may not be performed now in the Republic of Moldova", mentioned Gabriela Turcan, a third-year student at the integrated Medicine study program.

The new technologies will be applied in the medical training process at the preclinical departments (Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, Histology, Cytology and Embryology, Pathology, including the Clinical Pathophysiology Discipline, Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, etc.) on the premises of Leonid Cobaleanschi Teaching Block No. 1, as well as at the clinical departments located at Timofei Mosneaga Republican Clinical Hospital.

The equipment represents an innovative and indispensable technology in modern medical education and research: virtual reality headset/glasses (31 items), 360 panoramic video camera for immersive capture, external battery for headset/glasses (31 items), USB charging station – 10 ports (4 items), Notebook with Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office 2021 (20 items), interactive whiteboards + mobile support (5 items)). 

The value of the donated items constitutes 577,668.51 RON, the equivalent of over 2,248,459 MDL.