The National Institute of Justice opened its doors to members of the Law Students Association

In the afternoon of Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the members of the Law Students' Association from the State University of Moldova stepped on the threshold of the National Institute of Justice. The event was part of the institutional program to promote careers in the judiciary and prosecutor's office and to familiarize future law graduates with professional perspectives in the field of justice.

The young people were welcomed by the Director of INJ, Ramona Strugariu, who emphasized the importance of personal motivation in choosing the position of judge or prosecutor and urged them, in the future, to participate in the admission competition at the National Institute of Justice. "There is no democracy, rule of law, development of a country without an independent judiciary. It is a mission, beyond being a job. Moldova needs you. Here, at the Institute, you will find all the necessary support for professional development, through courses, guidance and access to educational resources designed to prepare you for the responsibilities of your chosen career. The doors are wide open," said Ramona Strugariu.

During the visit, the students learned in detail about the admission process, the selection criteria and the stages of the competition. The INJ audience - Dan Furculita, candidate for the position of prosecutor, and Svetlana Brătescu, candidate for the position of judge - spoke about their experience in the admissions competition, including the legislative changes made to ensure the selection of the best candidates for the professions of judge and prosecutor: the evaluation by two distinct commissions (in civil law and civil procedure, respectively, in criminal law and criminal procedure) and additional integrity checks carried out by the National Integrity Authority, the National Anti-Corruption Center and the Intelligence and Security Service.

Also, budding lawyers had the opportunity to interact with the graduates of the Institute - Eleonora Badan-Melnic, judge at the Chisinau Court, Center headquarters, and Octavian Bivol, seconded prosecutor, head of the Continuing Education Section at the INJ. They shared their professional journey, the transition from the status of an audience to that of a judge or prosecutor in office, the challenges and satisfactions of the job.

The visit also included a tour of the National Institute of Justice, with the students having the opportunity to see the educational facilities available to candidates for the positions of judge and prosecutor.

The National Institute of Justice is the only judicial training institution in the country that prepares future judges and prosecutors. The initial training course lasts 18 on Mondays, and the audience receives a monthly stipend equal to an average salary in the economy. Established in 2007, INJ has so far trained 237 candidates for the position of judge and 336 candidates for the position of prosecutor.