The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) Higher Education Project (P167790) EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA | Moldova | Education Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2020 | Seq No: 2 | ARCHIVED on 23-Dec-2020 | ISR44863 | Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, Republic of Moldova through the Ministry of Finance Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 05-Mar-2020 Effectiveness Date: 15-Sep-2020 Planned Mid Term Review Date: -- Actual Mid-Term Review Date: Original Closing Date: 31-Dec-2025 Revised Closing Date: 31-Dec-2025 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The Project Development Objective is to improve the labor market orientation of selected higher education institutions and the quality assurance mechanisms. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name 1 – Improving the Quality Assurance Mechanisms:(Cost $10.30 M) 2 – Improving the Labor Market Orientation through Targeted Interventions:(Cost $27.80 M) 3 – Project Management:(Cost $1.30 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions This is the first Implementation Status and Results Report for this Project after declaration of effectiveness as of September 15, 2020. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Research (MoECR) is progressing with ensuring adequate implementation capacity and commencing project implementation. 12/23/2020 Page 1 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance High Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic High Substantial Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies High Substantial Substantial Technical Design of Project or Program Substantial Substantial Substantial Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial Substantial Substantial Sustainability Fiduciary High Substantial Substantial Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders High High High Other -- Moderate Moderate Overall High Substantial Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes To improve the labor market orientation of selected higher education institutions IN00933859 ►Share of students of selected higher education institutions enrolled in Bachelor and Master's programs of government's priority areas (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the increase in the share of students of selected higher education institutions that are enrolled in Bachelor and Master's programs of government's priority areas. This indicator will capture a shift in the trend of the enrollment of students of selected higher education institutions in Bachelor and Master's programs that are well-oriented towards the labor market. It is meant to provide a quantitative measure of the labor market orientation of selected academic programs. Selected higher education institutions are those benefiting from Component 2 according to the criteria approved by the World Bank. These institutions should be indicated in the POM and HEIPOM. Priority areas are those identified by the Comments: GoM as labor market relevant: engineering, information technologies, health (medicine) and pedagogy. It will measure the increase in the share of enrolled students, so the baseline is zero (zero increase). The end target is 15% increase from the baseline. Given that the selected higher education institutions are currently unknown, the baseline cannot be determined now. However, the baseline shall be determined in the 1st year of the implementation of the Higher Education Improvement Program or as soon as the selected higher education institutions are known, so the increase from the baseline could be measured and monitored. IN00933896 12/23/2020 Page 2 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) ►Perception of employers about the labor market orientation of selected higher education institutions' programs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 25.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the increase of employers' perception about the labor market orientation of selected higher education institutions' programs. It is meant to provide a qualitative measure of the labor market orientation of selected academic programs. Selected higher education institutions are those Comments: benefiting from Component 2 according to the criteria approved by the World Bank. These institutions should be indicated in the POM. This indicator measures an increase in the perception of employers about the labor market orientation of programs, so the baseline is zero (zero increase). The end target is 25% increase from the baseline. To improve the quality assurance mechanisms IN00933858 ►New Master's programs accredited based on the revised curriculum (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the increase in the share of new Master's programs accredited based on the revised curriculum. The curriculum of Master's programs will be revised based on the qualification standards to be developed/revised through the Project. Thus, this indicator will measure an important outcome of the project interventions in higher education quality. The baseline is zero because this Comments: indicator will measure the increase in the share of programs. The end target is 10% increase from the baseline. The end target was estimated as 10% increase because of the time needed to first develop the qualification standards, which will be followed by the also time consuming revision of the curriculum and the accreditation process per se. These are three lengthy processes, hence the end target. IN00933860 ►Registration of NAQAER in EQAR (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target NAQAER is not NAQAER is not NAQAER is not NAQAER is registered Value registered in EQAR registered in EQAR registered in EQAR in EQAR Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the status of the registration of the NAQAER in EQAR. The registration of NAQAER in EQAR is fundamental for the recognition of diplomas issued by Moldovan universities in Comments: Europe. Thus, this indicator captures a quintessential feature of the quality assurance mechanisms applicable to higher education in Moldova. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components 1 - Improving the Quality Assurance Mechanisms IN00933897 ►Higher education qualification standards developed and revised (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 12/23/2020 Page 3 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 300.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the number of higher education qualification standards developed and revised Comments: through the Project IN00933899 ►Bachelor and Master's programs updated in accordance with the qualification standards developed and revised through the Project (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the percentage of Bachelor and Master's programs updated in accordance with Comments: the qualification standards developed and revised through the Project. The development/revision of qualification programs is time consuming, hence the end target of 30%. IN00933902 ►Higher education students benefiting from systemic interventions in quality, information systems and financing (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 91,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the number of higher education students benefiting from systemic interventions in Comments: quality, information systems and financing over the course of the implementation of the Project IN00933904 of which are female students (Number, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 53,000.00 IN00933906 ►Staff of MoECR, NAQAER and higher education institutions trained in higher education quality assurance through the Project (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 230.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the number of staff of the MoECR, NAQAER and higher education institutions Comments: trained in higher education quality assurance through the Project. IN00933908 ►New financial model (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target New financial model New financial model has New financial model has New financial model is has been developed, Value been developed, but has been developed, but has implemented system- but has not been not been piloted yet not been piloted yet wide piloted yet Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 12/23/2020 Page 4 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) Comments: This indicator measures the progress with the implementation of the new higher education financial model IN00933910 ►Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target HEMIS is operational HEMIS does not exist and its data is used for Value HEMIS does not exist HEMIS does not exist planning or decision- making Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the status of the development and implementation of the HEMIS. The Comments: measurement of the implementation of the HEMIS includes the utilization of its data for planning or decision-making. IN00933912 ►Unified electronic higher education admission system (e-Admission) (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target There is no unified There is no unified There is no unified electronic higher electronic higher electronic higher e-Admission system is Value education admission education admission education admission operational information system information system information system Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the status of the development of the unified electronic higher education Comments: admission (e-Admission) system IN00933913 ►Labor Market Information System (LMIS) (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target LMIS is operational and its data is used for Value LMIS does not exist LMIS does not exist LMIS does not exist planning and decision- making Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the status of the development and implementation of the LMIS. The Comments: measurement of the implementation of the LMIS includes the verification of the utilization of its data for planning or decision-making. 2 - Improving the Labor Market Orientation through Targeted Interventions IN00933898 ►Laboratories of selected higher education institutions equipped (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the number of laboratories of selected higher education institutions equipped Comments: through the HEIP. Selected higher education institutions are those benefiting from the HEIP according to the criteria approved by the World Bank. These institutions should be indicated in the POM and HEIPOM. 12/23/2020 Page 5 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) It is expected that at least one laboratory would be equipped in each beneficiary university by the Project Closing Date. IN00933900 ►Higher Education Improvement Programs approved in accordance with the criteria established in the Project Operations Manual (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 90.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the share of Higher Education Improvement Programs approved in accordance with the criteria established in the HEIPOM. All approved HEIP shall be in full compliance with the Comments: requirements and criteria defined in the HEIPOM. However, it is expected that some programs submitted for evaluation would not be approved according to the HEIPOM, hence the end target of 90%. IN00933903 ►Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning (Number, Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 49,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 IN00933905 Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning - Female (Number, Corporate Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 29,000.00 IN00933907 ►Partnerships between universities, pedagogical colleges and employers established through the HEIP (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the number of partnerships between universities, pedagogical and employers that Comments: are established through the HEIP. It is estimated at at least one partnership would be established by HEIP beneficiary institution by the Project Closing Date. IN00933909 ►Share of women enrolled in STEM programs developed or improved through the HEIP (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the increase in the share of women enrolled in STEM programs developed or improved through the HEIP. This indicator will measure the increase in the share of enrolled women, so Comments: the baseline is zero (zero increase). The end target was estimated based on the assumption that it will take some time to change women's behavior towards enrollment in STEM programs. IN00933911 ►Research or academic programs contributing to climate change adaptation or mitigation developed or improved through the HEIP (Number, Custom) 12/23/2020 Page 6 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the number of research or academic programs in technologies, processes or policies contributing to climate change adaptation or mitigation, which are developed or revised through Comments: the HEIP. It is expected that at least 4 research or academic programs would be developed or revised by universities that are eligible for financing under the HEIP (the end target represents programs of around 50% of the total number of eligible universities). 3 - Project Management IN00933901 ►Project beneficiaries reporting that effective engagement processes have been established (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 Date 01-Oct-2019 03-Jun-2020 14-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2025 This indicator measures the increase in the share of project beneficiaries who report that effective engagement processes have been established through the Project. Beneficiaries to be considered for the Comments: measurement of this indicator include university and pedagogical college students, their teachers, staff of their institutions, and representatives of firms from the major sectors that employ graduates from their institutions. Effective engagement processes require participatory approaches to involve beneficiaries in. Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P167790 IDA-65420 Effective USD 39.40 39.40 0.00 0.12 42.32 0.3% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P167790 IDA-65420 Effective 05-Mar-2020 19-May-2020 15-Sep-2020 31-Dec-2025 31-Dec-2025 Cumulative Disbursements 12/23/2020 Page 7 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Higher Education Project (P167790) PBC Disbursement Achievement Disbursed amount in Disbursement % PBC ID PBC Type Description Coc PBC Amount Status Coc for PBC Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 12/23/2020 Page 8 of 8