Belarusian Universities: A Comprehensive Overview Of Numbers

Belarus has several universities, including the leading Belarusian State University (BSU) in Minsk, which was founded in 1921 and is ranked among the top 2% of world-leading universities. BSU is one of two leading higher education establishments in the country, the other being the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus, also in Minsk. There are also universities in Baranavichy, Brest, Homiel, Hrodna, Mogilev, Pinsk, Navapolatsk, Polotsk, and Vitsebsk.

Belarusian State University

Initially, BSU comprised three faculties (Workers, Medicine, and Humanities) that enrolled a total of 1,390 students. The faculty included 14 professors, 49 lecturers, and 10 teaching assistants, most of whom were transferred from the universities of Moscow, Kazan, and Kiev. In 1922, the Pedagogical Faculty was established. The first class that graduated in 1925 counted 34 economists and 26 lawyers. Over the years, new faculties were added, including Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, Biology, History, Geography, and Languages. There was also a Workers Faculty that provided part-time education to full-time employees.

BSU has two campuses in Minsk. The main campus is located in the city centre, while the second campus is on the southwestern outskirts. The university has 16 faculties and 4 educational institutes that provide undergraduate and postgraduate training. There are also several institutes that offer retraining and advanced training for both youths and adults.

The university has a strong research focus, with 25 research centres, 115 scientific laboratories, and 4 research institutes. Some of the notable research institutes include the Research Institute of Nuclear Problems, the Research Institute of Physics-Chemistry Problems, and the Research Institute of Applied Mathematics and Informatics.

BSU has a long history of international cooperation and has been a member of international university networks and associations. It has had students from over 102 countries and is an individual full member of the European University Association. The university also offers a variety of educational programs, including the Higher Education Program and the Magister's Degree Program, with specialisations in various fields.

Other Universities in Belarus

Apart from the Belarusian State University, there are other universities in the country, including the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics. However, the exact number of universities in Belarus is unclear.

Academy of Public Administration

The Academy of Public Administration in Belarus was founded in 1991 as the Academy of Public Administration under the Council of Ministers of the BSSR. In 1995, it gained the status of a presidential institution and was renamed the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus. It is a leading public higher educational establishment, specialising in the training, retraining, and advanced training of specialists and managerial personnel for government agencies and public organisations. The Academy is considered one of the country's most prestigious educational establishments.

The Academy offers a range of educational programmes, including bachelor's, master's, and postgraduate studies. It also facilitates continuing education for managerial personnel, with over 6,000 students, trainees, and post-graduate students attending courses each year. Additionally, about 4,500 civil servants take upgrading courses at the Academy. The Academy has produced many notable alumni, including high-ranking officials, deputies, and heads of enterprises, organisations, and institutions.

The Academy has a strong focus on international cooperation and has signed agreements with partner institutions in various countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Vietnam. The Centre for International Cooperation and Educational Programmes promotes the Academy's international links and facilitates student and faculty exchange programmes.

The Academy is also actively involved in scientific activities, organising traditional international and national scientific conferences. It has various departments and chairs, including the Management Department, the Innovative Education Department, the Pre-university Education Department, the Chair for Administrative Law, the Chair for Theory and History of the State and Law, and the Chair for Foreign Languages. The Academy is committed to providing a strong foundation for its students' future careers and plays a crucial role in shaping the present and future of Belarus.

Classical universities

Belarus is home to several classical universities. One of the leading higher education institutions in the country is the Belarusian State University (BSU) in Minsk, which was founded in 1921 and currently ranks 387th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings. Over the years, BSU has established various faculties, including Workers, Medicine, and Humanities in its early years; followed by Pedagogical, National Economy, Law, and Soviet Development, and Chemical Technology by 1930; and later Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, Biology, History, Geography, and Languages in 1941.

Other notable classical universities in Belarus include:

• Baranavichy State University
• Brest State University, named after A.S. Pushkin
• Homiel State (Francysk Skaryna) University
• Hrodna State (Yanka Kupala) University
• Mogilev State A. Kuleshov University
• Palessie State University in Pinsk, Brest Voblast
• Polotsk State University in Navapolatsk, Vitsebsk Voblast
• Vitsebsk State (P. M. Masherau) University

These classical universities offer a range of academic programs and play a significant role in the higher education landscape of Belarus.

Professional universities

Belarus has a number of professional universities that offer a variety of educational programs and specializations. One of the most prominent is the Belarusian State University (BSU) in Minsk, which was founded in 1921 and is the country's first national university. BSU offers a range of faculties, including Medicine, Humanities, Pedagogical, Law, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, History, Geography, and Languages. It also has a Military Faculty established in 1926 and several research institutes and centres in areas such as nuclear problems, physics-chemistry, and applied mathematics.

In addition to BSU, there are other professional universities in Belarus. For example, the Republic of Belarus has a well-established system of higher education that includes both state-run and private institutions. These universities offer a wide range of programs in various fields, including engineering, business, agriculture, and the arts. Many of these institutions have international partnerships and offer student exchange programs, providing students with global exposure and diverse educational opportunities.

The structure of higher education in Belarus typically includes bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Each university has its own admission criteria and application process, and some may require entrance examinations. The academic year in Belarusian universities is usually divided into two semesters, with the first semester starting in September and the second in February.

Belarusian universities also offer a range of extracurricular activities, sports facilities, and cultural events to enhance student life. They often have modern campuses with well-equipped classrooms, laboratories, and libraries to support the educational needs of their students.

Overall, the professional universities in Belarus provide a diverse range of educational opportunities and play a crucial role in shaping the country's future leaders and professionals in various fields.

Technical and technological universities

Belarus is home to several technical and technological universities, with a focus on engineering, technology, mathematics, and the sciences.

The Belarusian State University (BSU), founded in 1921, is one of the country's oldest institutions of higher learning. Located in Minsk, the BSU offers a range of programs across 16 faculties, including the Faculty of Radiophysics and Electronics, the Faculty of Physics, and the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. The university also has several research institutes, including the Research Institute of Nuclear Problems and the Research Institute of Applied Mathematics and Informatics.

Another prominent technical university in Belarus is the Belarusian State Technological University (BSTU), established in 1930 as the Forestry Institute in Gomel. The BSTU specializes in engineering and technology and has expanded its international cooperation, particularly with Chinese and Uzbek universities. The university offers undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs, with a focus on technological research and development.

In addition to these two leading institutions, Belarus has other universities that offer technical and technological programs. These include the Belarusian Technological Institute and the Belarusian Institute of Technology, which contribute to the country's academic landscape in the fields of engineering, technology, and applied sciences.

The technical and technological universities in Belarus provide a range of educational opportunities, from pre-university courses to postgraduate research, fostering academic and scientific advancement in the country.

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