Belarusian State Technological University to continue polishing its educational environment

BSTU will continue to improve its educational environment to meet the labour market needs 

A range of events aimed at improving the educational environment and academic programmes to meet the needs of the labour market are scheduled at the Belarusian State Technological University. This was stated at a meeting of the focus group on the implementation of the World Bank investment project – Modernisation of Higher Education of the Republic of Belarus.

“As part of the project, the Belarusian State Technological University has been allocated about 8.4m Euros to modernise its material base and ensure high-quality practical training within the set period of five years: from 2021 to 2025,” Andrey Sakovich, the BSTU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, informed.

According to Andrey Kasperovich, who heads the BSTU Department of Polymer Composite Materials, the project, in particular, is being implemented on the basis of the laboratory of lacquers and paints. “We are carrying out large-scale work to update our curricula: at present, disciplines are taught that meet modern requirements imposed by enterprises of the Industry Ministry and manufacturers of paint and varnish products. Much attention is paid to practice-oriented training, large-scale expensive equipment. In particular, our pyrolytic gas chromato-mass spectrometer makes it possible to identify the components used in varnishes and paints. It is also possible to expand the field of research by studying polymer and composite materials. Another device is the atomic force microscope which has enabled us to significantly expand our research potential and conduct studies in the educational process.”

In turn, the Director of the BSTU Centre of Physical and Chemical Investigation Methods, Valery Lugin, noted that one laboratory will be modernised and two more will be created at the Centre for Collective Use. In addition, four unique modern scientific devices will be bought. As noted during the meeting, a laboratory for structural and functional analysis will be established since biotechnological and pharmaceutical technologies are actively developing in Belarus, while related specialists are becoming increasingly popular.

According to Mr. Sakovich, the BSTU participation in the project will help establish a modern education-and-laboratory base with unique equipment and, accordingly, help students gain professional competencies which are in demand in the labour market. Wider scientific research will also be available. In addition, during the project implementation, the university plans to ensure the accessibility of higher education for citizens with disabilities through creation of barrier-free environment.

The Belarusian State Technological University is the leading university in Belarus and the CIS in the forestry, chemical and printing industries. It’s the basic organisation of the CIS member states for education in the field of forestry and forest industry, and is also a full member of the International Centre for Forestry and Forest Industry.