Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) – Young scientists are yet to make a direct contribution to Belarus’ transformation into an IT country, Belarusian Education Minister Igor Karpenko noted at the opening of the session “Young people and new scientific horizons” during the second Congress of Scientists of Belarus on 12 December, BelTA informs.

“Young scientists will make a direct contribution to transforming Belarus into an IT country in the near future. In this context, universities need to set up a scientific and educational platform to explore and use new promising processing and data exchange technologies, carry out scientific research in the field of basic information technologies, develop and produce highly efficient software, hardware, and information systems to advance the information society and digital transformation of the economy,” Igor Karpenko said.

Developments in science and technology alone are not enough, the minister added. They should be promoted on foreign markets, in particular. “Twelve joint centers of international cooperation in science and technology are working on it together with Russia, Kazakhstan, China, South Korea, Latvia, and Venezuela. The high level of scientific research is proven by the fact that the universities are carrying out over 100 projects of international science programs, funds, and grants,” the minister underlined.

According to Igor Karpenko, the universities also need to promote networking since one of the government’s tasks in education is to ensure the growing competitiveness of higher education. “Today this work is at the initial stage. It is evident, however, that networking between Belarusian universities will optimize the education process and increase its quality. Networking envisages a wide use of advanced practices and active participation of high-level specialists. Down the road, we may expand networking with universities in other countries, primarily in the CIS member states,” the education minister summarized.

The session “Young people and new scientific horizons” of the second Congress of Scientists of Belarus is taking place at the Lyceum of Belarusian State University on 12 December. Taking part in the opening ceremony were Belarusian Education Minister Igor Karpenko, First Deputy Education Minister Vadim Bogush, and rector of Belarusian State University Andrei Korol. The forum has drawn together over 300 young scientists of Belarusian universities, representatives of sectoral research institutions and government bodies. The participants are discussing the main avenues of scientific development, the integration of domestic science into the international community, and also contacts and cooperation of young scientists with the real economy. Ways to improve the work of the research supervisor will be under consideration, too.