MINSK, 5 July (BelTA) – More than 30,000 foreign nationals are currently studying at Belarusian universities, Head of the Professional Education Directorate at the Education Ministry of Belarus Sergei Pishchov said in a new episode of BelTA’s Nation Speaks project.
Amendments to the Education Code, set to take effect on 1 September this year, will introduce grants for foreign citizens and stateless persons. “Grants have previously been available at higher education institutions and colleges. The new provision allows for grants to be awarded for preparatory education programs, specifically, for studying Russian as a foreign language to enable future admission to a chosen university, including an additional preparatory year,” Sergei Pishchov explained.
The list of countries sending applicants to Belarus is expanding, with a growing number of students coming from Africa and Asia. “Currently, over 30,000 foreign students are enrolled in our higher education institutions. The largest number comes from the People’s Republic of China. However, we are now seeing a noticeable increase in applicants and students from African countries as well,” he added.
“In order to ensure successful admission and create the right conditions for mastering the relevant academic program, it is, of course, essential to study the Russian language. Enshrining this provision allows us to increase the number of such students and create the conditions for them to continue their education at our universities and receive professional training,” Sergei Pishchov said.
“Most of them, certainly, return home, as they are sent by their governments. Those studying at their own expense also have clear goals: to obtain a high-quality professional education and return to their countries to contribute to the development of industry or the social sector,” he remarked. “Previously, grants could only be used to fund their studies at the level of higher education or master’s programs. Now, the regulations also allow for free studying in preparatory programs.”
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