During the meeting of the Senate of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), that took place on April 30, 2025, the institutional team presented key activities and results achieved within the UPGRADE project – Enhancing Graduates’ Employability Tracking in Moldova (Project no. 101129166, co-funded by the European Union).
The presentation highlighted the project’s contribution to strengthening graduate employability monitoring mechanisms and fostering long-term institutional development.
Dr. Oxana Barbăneagră, Associate Professor and Head of the Marketing, Partnerships and Career Service, presented the national standardized questionnaire for monitoring graduate employment outcomes, as well as the piloting results conducted with ASEM graduates from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts. The findings revealed both valuable statistics on graduate employability and key challenges, such as limited participation rates and the need to adapt survey instruments for deeper career path analysis.
Dr. Tatiana Bucos, Associate Professor and Director of the SMART Lab Center, introduced the concept of a national digital platform for tracking graduates’ employability, envisioned as a tool for automating data collection and supporting institutional and policy-level decision-making.
Following the presentation and discussion, the ASEM Senate acknowledged the strategic relevance of the UPGRADE project and adopted a decision to support the integration of employability tracking mechanisms into institutional processes. The Senate also proposed the possibility of development of a dedicated unit within ASEM to manage graduate career guidance, data collection, and alumni engagement activities.
Additionally, the revitalization of collaboration with the ASEM ALUMNI Association was encouraged, aiming to promote institutional visibility, professional mentorship networks, and the long-term sustainability of graduate engagement.
For more information, visit the project website: https://upgrade-project.ase.md
