Abstract:
This work contemplates on the evolution of engineering sciences development in
the Republic of Moldova in the postwar period. The author emphasizes the place and role of
engineering sciences at different stages reflected in the decisions of the party (until 1990) and
State powers, reveals chronologically the establishment of and support to the priorities
regarding science development by directions and fields. Also,the author discloses the reasons
for reticence in supporting engineering sciences in the first 15 years of the postwar period and
highlights the factors which favored the rapid expansion of their development later. By the way
of material exposed in the paper, the author aims to annihilate the information vacuum
imposed in the Soviet period on the engineering sciences achievements on topics considered
tangible with the military complex, or as very important for the industrial and technological
development of the country. Thus, the author tends to tackle the thesis, rooted in our society so
far, that Moldovan economy has grown mainly as agricultural one and scarcely industrial. In
fact if we analyse, for example, the State Budget – 1987 we can see, for sure, that in the
structure of revenues the share of industry prevails over those coming from agriculture and
services together. For the first time, the author presents a picture of the Moldovan engineering
performance exemplified only by a few top achievements, obtained due to the intensity and
prestige of cooperation between the scientific researchers and institutional structures
empowered with research-innovation and directly dependent on the efficiency of mechanisms
and instruments of research funding. The author makes reference to the complexity, high
quality and importance of scientific-practical engineering accomplishments achieved in just
one of 30 institutions authorized with research and innovation, which were later implemented
into a vast listing of scientointensive industrial products, manufactured at the production
facilities of the domestic industrial complex. The paper highlights the valuable scientific
achievements of some outstanding personalities – founders of scientific schools of reference in
engineering, which have had a positive impact on the development and consolidation of
engineering sciences and engineering as a whole nationally and internationally.