FERM 2025 | Petru LANGA, Director of the “Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum, Ungheni: “Investment in education is the most reliable path to a sustainable and prosperous future”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development
Speaker:
Petru Langa – Director of “Mihai Eminescu” Lyceum, Ungheni Municipality
Topic of the Speech:
“Implemented Projects: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Plans”
During Panel 11 – Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development, a distinctive and impactful voice was that of the Director of the “Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum in Ungheni, Republic of Moldova, Petru Langa. He highlighted the crucial role of education in regional development, emphasizing that educational institutions should not be viewed solely as academic training centers but as active agents in transforming communities.
Energy Efficiency with Community Impact
“The financial value is not the most important; it is the impact generated”, emphasized Petru Langa, underlining the essence of a project that goes far beyond a simple technical upgrade.
The “Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum in Ungheni, with over 1,300 students and 100 staff members, has become a regional benchmark for sustainability and educational innovation. The institution attracts students from over 35 neighboring localities, not due to administrative assignment but because of the prestige earned through quality, innovation, and community engagement.
The energy efficiency project implemented included comprehensive works such as thermal insulation, modernization of the heating system, installation of a photovoltaic park, and integration of an intelligent energy consumption monitoring system. The impact, continuously evaluated from 2017 to 2024, is remarkable:
- Over 50% reduction in thermal energy consumption
- Over 40% reduction in electricity consumption
- Over 55% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
These results reflect not only technical performance but also a paradigm shift in the organizational culture of the institution and in the community’s attitude towards the environment and resources.
Furthermore, the lyceum has been transformed into a true educational laboratory, where infrastructure serves as a platform for applied learning.
“The photovoltaic panels not only generate energy but become teaching tools, providing students with the opportunity to understand, in practice, concepts of renewable energy and sustainability”
This integrated approach not only generates significant savings but actively contributes to shaping a generation that is conscious, engaged, and prepared to face future challenges.
Challenges of a Transformational Project
The director spoke candidly about the inherent difficulties of a project of such magnitude. Organizing the educational process in two shifts during rehabilitation works, as well as initial concerns from parents and the local community, represented significant challenges. Nevertheless, through an approach centered on open dialogue, constant information, and direct involvement of students and parents, the leadership team managed to turn resistance into active support.
“By promoting this project with the children, their parents, and the community, we managed to convince them that the results were worth the effort – and this truly happened”
The positive effects were soon visible. The lyceum recorded an increase in student enrollment, confirming not only community validation of the project but also that infrastructure investment, when paired with vision and engagement, can generate profound educational and social impact.
“For Whom Are We Building the Future?” – Message from President Ion Ștefanovici (CAPDR)
The intervention of Ion Ștefanovici, President of CAPDR, added depth to the panel, offering a strategic perspective focused on the role of youth in sustainable development.
“We can build roads, hospitals, bridges – but to whom do we leave them if we do not invest in young people?” – posed Ștefanovici, reminding participants that infrastructure without human capital remains empty form.
The president highlighted the urgent need to reposition education at the center of regional development policies, stressing the importance of youth mentoring and training. He pointed out the lack of real financial education and the risk of perpetuating a social model in which well-prepared young people leave the country due to a lack of opportunities and authentic support frameworks.
In this context, the “Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum in Ungheni was presented as a best practice example, not only for academic and sustainable achievements but also for creating an environment conducive to youth development with a long-term vision.
Former generations of graduates, many of whom are students in Romania, were highlighted as ambassadors of the quality of the Moldovan education system, proving that investment in young people is not only necessary but also has measurable and lasting effects.
Education – Renewable Energy for the Future
The interventions in Panel 11 – Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development at FERM 2025 highlighted an essential principle: true energy efficiency starts with human capital. It concerns people who think ahead, create connections between the educational and economic systems, and responsibly invest in shaping the new generation.
The case of the “Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum in Ungheni confirms that education can become a key driver of sustainable regional development when recognized and leveraged as an active strategic player, not merely a beneficiary of public policies.
Through implementing an integrated energy efficiency project, involving the community, and transforming the school infrastructure into an applied learning space, the lyceum demonstrates that sustainability is not only a technological direction but a vision that starts in school and extends throughout society.
Conclusion:
The Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 demonstrated that sustainable development is not limited to infrastructure investment or establishing economic partnerships. The essence of regional progress lies in the capacity to integrate education, innovation, and sustainability into a coherent, forward-looking vision.
The experience of the “Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum in Ungheni reflects how an educational institution can become a true catalyst for transformation when supported by strategic backing, visionary leadership, and community engagement. The implemented energy efficiency project not only generated savings and ecological benefits but also contributed to fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation among young people.
The example of Ungheni District shows that education is not a secondary element in regional development but an essential component capable of generating sustainable structural change. At the heart of any development strategy must be the human element – the student, the teacher, the community leader – and investments in education thus become investments in the future of society as a whole.
