Higher Education in Belarus

A national higher school system plays an important role in the development of our country. Only highly qualified specialists can solve the most complex problems facing our society. Knowledge, science and culture open the prospects for the future.

At the beginning of the 20th century about 80 per cent of the Belarusian population were illiterate. Now Belarus is a country with a high educational level. The Belarusian State University, the Polytechnical Academy, the University of National Economy and many others are the largest scientific and educational centres in the national higher school system of Belarus. Today the role of universities in the system of higher education becomes determining as they give training in fundamental humanities and natural sciences.

The Republic of Belarus has 55 higher educational establishments: 45 belong to the state and 10 are privately owned. State owned educational establishments encounter 31 university, 7 academies, 4 colleges. All private educational establishments are institutes. 23 educational establishments belong to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.

Belarus has more than 430 000 students what makes 444 students per 10 000 citizens.

The basic principle of the organization of national education in Belarus is an equal opportunity for all its citizens. It should conform to the spirit and requirements of the time we live.

Specialized secondary and higher education is available for everyone according to his abilities. Every citizen can get free education in state institutions if he passes the entrance examinations successfully. One of the necessary qualifications for higher school is complete secondary education. Entrance examinations differ depending on the choice of a higher school. Higher education in Belarus may be obtained in two ways: full-time education (day, evening form) and part-time (including distant) education. Those who study well receive scholarships. All higher schools in Belarus are controlled by the state and are uniformly administrated. The system of public education is being constantly improved and that is a logical process.

Along with state higher schools existing in the Republic many non-state institutes of higher learning have been opened in different towns of late. Thousands of young people who for some reason couldn't enter any of the state educational establishments have got an opportunity to continue their studies and to get a higher education.

The academic year is divided into two terms, each ending in examinations. The students attend lectures and practical classes and have every opportunity to develop their talents and gifts. Sport has become an essential part of students' life and they can do any sports they like.

The higher school today does not only give knowledge to the students but develops their abilities to think creatively and to work productively. Today's scientific and technological progress demands of the higher school graduates to be prepared to deepen their knowledge individually and adapt themselves quickly to the changes in the branches of science or industry they have chosen as their speciality. This means that future specialists must be given a good grounding in basic subjects. In order to obtain practical experience all the students of higher schools have practical training at different enterprises, schools and offices.

Every year thousands of graduates receive diplomas of higher education and start working in different branches of science, economy and production.

Some of them enter postgraduate courses to get more specialized study and to defend a thesis on a chosen scientific problem. We have every right to say that the future of our country in many respects depends upon the quality of education received by its citizens.

Exercise 1

Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

высокий уровень образования; высшие учебные заведения; равные возможности для всех граждан; успешно сдать вступительные экзамены; получать стипендию; посещать лекции и практические занятия; получить диплом; защитить диссертацию.

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1. The Republic of Belarus has … higher education establishments.

2. Belarus has more than … students.

3. The basic principle of the organization of national education in Belarus is …

4. Every citizen can get free education in state institutions if …

5. Higher education in Belarus may be obtained in two ways:…

6. The academic year is divided into …

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. What is the role of universities in the system of higher education?

2. How many higher educational establishments are there in Belarus?

3. What major types of educational establishments can be distinguished?

4. How many students are there in Belarus?

5. What is the basic principle of the organization of national education in Belarus?

6. Can graduates continue their education?

Polessky State University

Our government pays great attention to the educational system development. The existence of higher educational establishments, number of students, and the quality of education exactly characterize the progress of a country. Nowadays in the century of high technologies highly qualified professionals are extremely required. Traditionally higher educational establishments are located only in the capital and regional centers. But recently the development of relatively small towns has become the strategic target of our country. And one of its great steps was Polessky State University opening.

Polessky State University is up-to-date educational establishment formed in 2006 to train specialists for various fields of national economy. Six faculties provide training at the University: Banking Faculty, Economic Faculty, Healthy Way of Life Organisation Faculty, Biotechnological Faculty, Preparatory Training Faculty, Retraining and Qualification Upgrading Faculty. The University provides Master's Degree Courses. The total number of students, both full-time and part-time, comprises 4 500.

Educational process of Polessky State University provides students with conditions that would encourage them to work efficiently to become a staff of high educational moral quality. The core activity of different departments focuses on progressive training and development of student's creative abilities.

Numerous tutorial rooms, lecture halls, computer centers, 5 multimedia laboratories ”Sanako“ are at students' disposal. They can get higher education through full-time and part-time departments. Students attend lectures and practical classes. They learn Economic Theory, Statistics, Accounting, Philosophy, Finance, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, etc. Students have access to up-to-date computer facilities (including Internet and extensive library allowing them to cope with the most complicated problems).

In the University students acquire profound knowledge, gain hands-on experience and are involved in innovative and research activities. Professional training is a systematic purposeful students' activity on mastering the chosen specialty aimed at ensuring theoretical knowledge, hands-on and creative skills at each stage of training.

Students who demonstrate superior academic performance, enthusiasm for intellectual exploration, exceptional achievements may apply for scholarships offered by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and other commercial banks.

The University supports relations with many domestic and foreign academic, financial, business institutions. Our international partners are:

University of Applied Sciences of the Deutsche Bundesbank;

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Germany);

The Academy of Finance (Russia);

St.-Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance (Russia);

St.-Petersburg State University of Physical Training named after P. Lesgaft (Russia);

Banking University of the National Bank of Ukraine.

We have also established contacts with educational establishments in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden.

Sport activities are also in high reputation. The University provides sport facilities and organizes sport competitions. Such activities as Sports Days, hikes, different competitions are aimed at improving students' health. There is a big modern well-equipped stadium, swimming pool and skating-rink at students' disposal. There is also a Medico-Rehabilitation Centre.

University provides modern accommodation. It has 6 well-designed up-to-date hostels with all modern conveniences where there are fitness gyms, billiards, also one may play table tennis, just relax in calm atmosphere.

Huge work has been done to open Polessky State University and a great deal is due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.

Belarusian leader accentuated that ”...the development of our country, its independence and prosperity, depends in many respects on the quality of knowledge of future bankers and economists“.