Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko wants university education to be more practical in Belarus

MINSK, 16 May (BelTA) – The institutions of higher learning should provide a more practice-oriented training with a focus on the specificities of a particular industry in Belarus, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he provided his consent to appoint new rectors to the Belarusian State Economic University (BSEU) and Belarusian State Academy of Agriculture, BelTA has learned.

“Every university has some shortages. The training should be more practice-oriented. Most importantly is that graduates come to work in the industries they have trained for rather than go abroad, or work as secretaries or assistants,” the head of state noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko discussed the development of the Belarusian State Economic University and the Belarusian State Academy of Agriculture and gave concrete instructions to improve their work. The head of state drew the attention of Vitaly Velikanov, who will lead the Belarusian State Academy of Agriculture, that is not just a university but actually a separate city: “When I came there for the first time I was stunned. I never thought that there were places like this in Belarus.”

In recent years, great work has been done to upgrade and landscape the grounds of the academy. Everything should be kept in proper order, the president said.

As for the BSEU, Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed hope that the university would take on a new lease of life with new rector Vyacheslav Shutilin. “You need to introduce your strategies that will work well for the university.”

The president recalled his previous visit to the university when he noticed that the university used foreign economics literature. “Appointing [BSEU former rector Vladimir] Shimov, I reminded him that he was involved in the development of the Belarusian economic strategy and asked him to train students for the national economy, not for something recommended abroad,” the head of state said.

In his words, there were many cases when young specialists had to be retrained onsite. “The task was to shift the focus on the national economy. I hope the university has done this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“I hope that you see all the shortcomings and will do everything possible to raise the level of the university and, especially, the quality of education. The university has everything necessary for it,” the president said.

The head of state added that the extensive knowledge of former rector Vladimir Shimov needs to be used as well: “He has gained rich experience working in the economic sector, the government.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko also said: "Our students are decent and responsible people. However, these are freedom-loving, rebellious spirits. They need some attention. Two upcoming political campaigns will be the litmus test. They will show how well you work. We cannot do without you".

“I will surely visit the Academy of Agriculture, and perhaps will visit the university next year. I wish every success to all of you,” the Belarusian leader said.

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