External audit mission on anti-bribery standard implementation at ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University

The external audit regarding the implementation of the requirements of the International Standard ISO 37001 for anti-bribery, stage 2 – initial certification, was conducted at Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova. The external audit mission took place on February 23 and 24, 2026, and was carried out by Alina Stoian, chief auditor, Daniela Cara, auditor – A1, and Vlad Gheorghita, auditor – A2 from “Certind” Certification Company in Bucharest, Romania.

During the two days, the experts visited several university subdivisions, where they documented the application of the anti-bribery standard. The auditors made an overview of the entire process, focusing on internal documentation, including interviewing study beneficiaries and teaching staff. The external audit mission comprised interviews with the heads of administrative, teaching, scientific and support subdivisions, observation of processes and activities, questioning the employees responsible  for implementing the standard, etc.

At the closing meeting of the external audit mission, First Vice-Rector Olga Cernetchi has mentioned that the audit systematically carried out at the University contributes to maintaining the quality management system, to the continuous improvement of activity processes and the professional level of employees and, last but not least, to increasing the satisfaction of study beneficiaries. "For us, quality is not just an arbitrary word, here we refer to the quality of human resources, infrastructure, the quality of all processes, especially the quality of the teaching process. Thus, in December 2024, the University administration declared zero tolerance towards corruption," the First Vice-Rector pointed out. 

Chief Auditor Alina Stoian appreciated the large amount of work done by the staff responsible for implementing the anti-bribery standard at Nicolae Testemitanu University. "We note the experience, seriousness, professionalism, openness and education that you have demonstrated in this process. I am impressed by the infrastructure and staff, by everything you have managed to achieve in such a short time to implement the anti-bribery standard," the chief auditor noted.

"You are the first university to implement this standard, and this represents a turning point. You are a benchmark for the academic community and we urge you to continue this anti-bribery culture, involving the students more actively as well. During the mission, no non-conformities were identified. Of course, we will come up with some proposals to enhance the system, pertaining to continuous improvement," emphasized auditor Daniela Cara.

The expert listed the strengths that play an essential role in implementing the anti-bribery standard at Nicolae Testemitanu University, including: institutional policy in the field of quality, efficiency and functionality of the quality management system, systematic updating of procedures, risk management and assessment, digitalization of basic processes, rigorous monitoring of the implementation of objectives established in the University's Strategic Development Plan until 2030, training of academic staff on the anti-bribery standard, implementation of "Ethics and Academic Integrity" course in the university curricula, diversity and efficiency of internal and external communication channels, development of institutional infrastructure, etc.

"We initiated the implementation of the requirements of the anti-bribery standard in May 2025. Today, being at the external audit mission, stage 2 - initial certification, I believe that the institutional commitment and responsible attitude of the university staff allowed its application in a short time. When we receive the certificate of anti-bribery standard implementation, we will be able to say that Nicolae Testemitanu University has an integrated quality management system, which includes the applicability of the requirements of the international standards ISO 9001 and 37001", Olga Iurco, Head of the Internal Audit Department, stated.

Subsequently, the audit committee members will prepare the External Audit Report, which will include recommendations to improve university processes by integrating the anti-bribery standard into the quality management system.