On December 30, the XI meeting of the Board of Management of the Confucius Institute of Science and Technology of the Belarusian National Technical University was held at the Belarusian National Technical University. The event summed up the results of the year's work and outlined plans for 2026 and the next five years.
The meeting was held in an online format. The BNTU was represented by Rector Sergei Kharitonchik, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Yuri Nikolaichik, Vice-rector for Ideological and Educational Work Timur Matyushinets, Dean of the Faculty of International Cooperation Pavel Shirvel and Director of the Confucius Institute for Science and Technology from the Belarusian side Vladimir Kleenkov. On the part of Northeastern University, Rector Feng Xiating, Vice-rector Xu Wei, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges Zhang Yannan, Director of the Confucius Institute for Science and Technology from the Chinese side Li Wenxue and Deputy Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges Li Jiannan participated in the meeting.
The rector of Northeastern University, Feng Xiating, delivered a welcoming speech:
– Looking back on the past year, we see that our cooperation has developed with steady steps. In today's world undergoing profound changes, China and Belarus remain sincere friends and reliable partners, walking hand in hand. During this period, the leaders of our countries carried out active high-level contacts, during which new important agreements were reached on deepening an all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership, which indicated the direction of development and gave impetus to cooperation in all areas, including education, science and technology. With the continuous deepening of practical cooperation between the two countries, the development of the Confucius Institute for Science and Technology has also reached a new stage.
Sergey Kharitonchik, Rector of BNTU, made a welcoming speech in response:
– One of our outstanding projects is the Confucius Institute for Science and Technology. In 2025, the institute successfully implemented Chinese language teaching for everyone, introduced Belarusians and guests of Minsk to the achievements of Chinese science and technology, spread Chinese culture, and also promoted academic exchange between universities within the framework of three summer camps in China.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of Northeastern University, the staff and teachers of the Confucius Institute for their contribution to strengthening Belarusian-Chinese relations.
Next, the directors of the Confucius Institute of Science and Technology of BNTU proceeded to summarize the work of the educational institution over the past year. The presentation was divided into three main blocks: achievements, shortcomings and future plans.
Among the achievements of the institute's work during the year, the directors noted an increase in the number of people who completed courses and passed the HSK exam, the successful organization of cultural events, progress in education and incentives for learning and teaching.
– In 2025, the institute conducted a total of 207 Chinese language courses, the total number of study hours was 13,328. 1,677 students were registered, the total number of students was 2,432, which is 10.95% more than last year. Of these, 931 people (1,347 students) were registered through the institute. In the autumn semester of 2025, 515 students were enrolled in the courses, and for the first time in one semester, their number exceeded 500 people, – Vladimir Kleenkov cited the figures.
Despite the successful work of the institute over the past year, the directors indicated areas of work that needed to be strengthened, as well as outlined their intentions to improve the activities of the Confucius Institute of Science and Technology at BNTU for a more comfortable and accessible learning process and the development of science and technology-oriented work.
After summing up the results, the plan for 2026 and the next five years was announced. It includes an analysis of the current situation and development trends, a development strategy and goals for the next five years, tasks for the future development of the institute and measures to ensure that the objectives are achieved.
The meeting of the management Council ended with the signing of an agreement on the joint development of the Confucius Institute of Science and Technology for the next five years and the minutes of the 11th meeting.
