Belarus is determined to join the Bologna Process

Belarusan Education Minister Mihail Zhuraukou believes that Belarus is ready to join the Bologna Process, even though Belarus has its specifics. However, the experts from the Public Bologna Committee

“In our work towards joining the Bologna Process we have come to the point when we need to develop a legal framework. Now we can say with confidence that Belarus has a two-stage system of education with bachelor programs (from three to five years depending on the specialization) and master programs. We have started implementing a system of continuous education taking into consideration the two-stage system of higher education. We have introduced the possibility of getting PhD through thesis defense. Besides, now the PhD defense can be conducted in English. All the Belarusan universities started to run courses in English,” Education Minister Mihail Zhuraukou said during his meeting with a delegation of experts of the Council of Europe to discuss the Belarusian education system.

“Of course, Belarus has its specifics as any other state, but in general we comply with the guidelines of the Bologna convention. One of our main goals for the future is to improve the academic mobility and to ensure initial employment of university graduates,” BelTA quotes the Minister’s words.

For his part, Head of the Education Department of the Council of Europe Sjur Bergan noted: “When the Bologna Process was launched, the countries had their education processes organized in different ways. Today we have a clear application procedure. Therefore it is easier now for Belarus and other countries to join the process. I do not think that the roadmap for Belarus will be more complicated than for other countries.”

Let us recall that “EuroBelarus” Information Service on December 9 the alternative report on the Belarusan education system’s readiness to join Bologna process was sent to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Secretariat. The report was prepared by the Public Bologna Committee and sent to the EHEA Secretariat on behalf of the Belarusan National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.