MINSK, 11 November (BelTA) – Construction of a new building of Belarusian State University (BSU) was discussed at a meeting of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko with top officials of the Council of Ministers on 11 November, BelTA has learned
The government proposed to build a new building for the university with the use of loan resources.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that it is critically important for Belarus with its export-oriented economy to have the education system training highly professional specialists. The state provides significant assistance to educational institutions in the development of their infrastructure.
At the same time, the head of state asked how necessary and justified the construction of a new building is for BSU. "I would like to hear additional arguments on this issue," he said. “Can we do without this building in this difficult time? This is the number one issue. Will BSU cease to exist tomorrow if we do not build this building? Or maybe we can find some facility in Minsk that can host this department? We need to decide: if we can do without it for the time being, then let's do it. If there is extra money, then let's construct this building. I do not mind. I urge to use a rational approach and exclude any departmental scheming."
Education Minister Igor Karpenko told the media after the meeting that the decision was taken to specify the scope, functions, equipment of the new facility and only after that the project would be discusssed again. “The head of state stressed that the project is promising. In order to define its costs and other important parameters it is necessary to start the design works and report back to the head of state. That is why, we are considering the allocation of funds to build a new innovative building of the Belarusian State University. For this, we need to study the project in detail,” the minister said.
According to him, a meeting will soon take place in the Education Ministry with the BSU representatives to discuss what the new building will look like, what premises it will have so that the new building would be beneficial for the main university of the country and the education system in general.
Igor Karpenko pointed out that in the year of its 100th anniversary the Belarusian State University has been actively developing its infrastructure, including the project with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The ongoing projects include the equipment of innovative laboratories, and repairs of a number of buildings. The new facility, the construction of which was discussed at the meeting with the president, is not just “another idea to build a new building”, the minister said. In his words, it will make it possible to develop the export of educational services, implement joint Belarusian-Chinese educational programs in which BSU is actively involved, continue training gifted children and teenagers who study in the children's technology park.
