EU Sanctions may Hinder Belarus's Participation in Bologna Process

The EU's restrictions in relation to the Belarusian state officials could hinder Belarus to switch into the Bologna system of education, said ESU teacher Viktor Martinovich. The head of the Ministry of Education Sergei Maskevich takes the opposite view, but does not specify the exact terms for this system's introduction in the country.

The fact that the decision of the European Council on the Belarusian situation should not influence Belarus's participation in the Bologna process was stated by the education minister at a meeting with press on February 3. "I see no reason for this to affect the country's entry into the Bologna process," he said.

However, according to the head office, the inclusion of Sergei Ablameyko, the rector of the Belarusian State University, into the "black list" of the EU "cannot be explained."

"I consider it as a totally non-constructive approach. BSU is most willing to cooperate with partners in Europe. It is a pity that such a completely unjust decision was made. Well, vice-rectors, deans and other specialists will work. In addition, this is only a temporary decision," "Belarusian News" quoted Sergei Maskevitch.

Belarusian authorities started the process of switching into the Bologna process in 2010. However, when the Ministry of Education applied to the president for endorsement of a document to join the Bologna process, Alexander Lukashenko stalled the process in June.

"We must proceed from the fact that we are not going to break anything else. We must follow the path that is defined in education, but improving, without deeping into this improvement though, as it may lead to some kind of a breakdown again. We must move very gently and calmly," Alexander Lukashenko said then during a special meeting. Although a month later, he instructed to start the accession to the Bologna Process.

Ministry of Education Wants to Provide Foreign Students with Scholarships

There is a component of the Bologna process in Belarus, which consists in openness of the national education system for students of other countries. The number of foreign students has increased threefold in comparison with 2005.

At this time, said Deputy Education Minister Alexander Zhuk, above 10 thousand students from 84 states study in the country; Belarus received 7.5 thousand foreign nationals from 87 countries for higher education in 2009. Most foreign students are the citizens of Asian countries (above 4 thousand people) and the CIS countries (almost 3 thousand). The first group arrived from China, India, Lebanon, Iran, etc., while the second - from Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, etc.

Despite this fact, the Ministry of Education stated that the number of foreign students in Belarus would be increasing.

"The BSU, National Technical University and regional universities in Hrodna, Vitebsk and Baranovichi are particularly active. As a result, we have carried out services exports' indicators, having raised them up to $11.5 million in 2010. The forecast for 2015 is an increase in two and a half times. It is clear that it's necessary to improve approaches to the work and structure of the entire foreign trade, as well as to adjust the country's balance," said Alexander Zhuk.

The Office intends to establish a republican center for international cooperation, as well as to provide for students of other states with 50-100 scholarships per year. The first deputy minister believes that this measure will attract "more focused and talented, more motivated students" to the country. "These grants will also help to attract students from the East and Africa, as well as from the European countries," said Alexander Zhuk. Ministry of Education hopes for the Belarusian embassies abroad to support the idea of agency, by "actively disseminating" information abroad, BelTA informs.

It is planned that the number of specialists with higher engineering education to graduate from the universities of Belarus will be 28% by 2014, while the number of experts in communications, law and economics will drop to 30%. Such a relationship will follow the structure of education in the states of Europe, the Ministry of Education explained.

Alexander Zhuk also notes that students are also attracted to study in Belarus due to active work of universities for certification of educational and scientific activities. Certificates for compliance with the international standards were received by 26 universities, two colleges and two vocational-technical colleges in 2010. In addition, an institute of the Border Service of the Republic of Belarus and Mahiliou Higher College of the Ministry of Interior were created. There are 55 universities in the country at the moment, said the official.

Belarus Rushing "out of the Frying Pan into the Fire," Martinovic

However, the head of the Department of Political Science of the European Humanities University Viktor Martinovich is not so optimistic about the possible inclusion of Belarus in the Bologna process. According to the expert, the State is rushing "out of the frying pan into the fire" on issues of both international relations and education.

"Relations with the EU are improving - we're jumping with joy and switching into the Bologna process. There is no understanding that this process is strategic, involving working with consciousness. Suddenly, the European countries, Germany and Poland, in particular, became the enemies of the authorities after December 19. In my view, they keep talking here about our participating in Bologna simply by inertia. It is possible that the president will say in a few months that we are not on the road with Europe, and it's over," he believes.

Viktor Martinovich notes that the European partners can continue cooperation with the Belarusian universities, but the situation is deteriorating due to the fact that some journalists, judges and academics are allowed to enter the EU, while others are not.

BSU Rector's Name in "Black List" Casts a Slur on the University's Reputation, Martinovic

Since the rector of BSU is in the list of banned, "this has become alarming and cast a slur an the reputation of the university, which he chairs," said Viktor Martinovich.

"I do not know how the representatives of the Belarusian State University will feel at an international conference when asked by colleagues about the rector under sanctions, as well as expulsion of students from high schools after December 19. It's possible to say in Belarus that students have been expelled not for politics, but for underachievement. It's not the variant for Europe," said the representative of the Europian State University.

Viktor Martinovich noted that he's often asked in Europe about Alexander Feduta, ESU former teacher, who has been kept in the KGB jail since December 19. "The current atmosphere for the academic community in Belarus prevents the country from switching into the Bologna process," he said. 

Telegraf.By