At the start of March and April, BNTU history took several important steps. Each of them is covered in today's column.
March 31
By a decision of the Council of the Belarusian State Polytechnical Academy on March 31, 2000, the International Institute of Distance Education was established. The initiative for its creation came from Rostislav Puko, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Robotics, who justified the need for the new division in a memo addressed to Mikhail Demchuk, Rector of the Belarusian State Polytechnical Academy.
The following year, the institute received permission from the Ministry of Education to train students, and the first mass graduation of specialists took place in 2006. Over the years, the Institute has developed into a full-fledged international educational center, accommodating students from Russia, China, Lebanon, Iran, Sri Lanka, and many other countries. In 2017, the Institute opened an International Study Center in Sri Lanka, and later launched joint programs with its French partners—ESIGELEC, the School of Advanced Engineering, and Montpellier Business School. In 2026, the Institute will celebrate its 26th anniversary—and during this time, it has firmly established itself within the university, continuing to develop and attract students from all over the world.
April 1
This day holds a special place in the history of the University for several reasons. By Decree No. 165 of the President of the Republic of Belarus, which entered into force in April 2002, the Belarusian State Polytechnical Academy was transformed into the Belarusian National Technical University. This decision opened a new chapter in the university's history: it expanded training in new specialties, strengthened its international prestige, and enhanced the role of engineering education.
April 2020 marked a resounding victory for BNTU students on the ice. Forward Konstantin Drobysh and goaltender Pavel Kapsky, playing for the Minsk Zubrs, won silver in the Belarusian Ice Hockey Premier League. The final playoff series proved truly dramatic: trailing 3-0, the Minsk Zubrs tied the series at 3-3, but the Belarusian U17 team prevailed in the decisive match. En route to the final, the team defeated Metallurg Zhlobin (3-1) and Junior Minsk (4-1). Konstantin played 16 games in the playoffs, scoring a goal and providing four assists. Pavel played 15 games, logged more ice time than any other goalie in the league, posted the league's best save percentage, and kept two clean sheets.
Another significant event of the day was the ceremonial unveiling of the "BNTU Male and Female Student" sculpture in 2022, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the university's designation as a national technical university. The sculpture was created by Armen Sardarov, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, and Alexander Finsky, Professor of the Sculpture Department at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. Opening the event, BNTU Rector Sergei Kharitonchik noted that the statues symbolize the beginning of a new life, continuous movement, confidence, spring, and youth. The young man and woman in the sculpture group represent the university's technical and construction fields. Today, they have become an integral part of the university—silent witnesses to students' everyday lives, hopes, and victories.
April 5
Based on its 2022 performance, the Belarusian National Technical University was inscribed on the Honor Board of the Sovietsky District of Minsk. The awards ceremony took place on April 5, 2023, in the assembly hall of the district administration. At the event, recognition was given to the teams that demonstrated the best work results over the past year; a total of 12 organizations and institutions in the Sovietsky District received certificates. For BNTU, this was further confirmation that its work has been recognized and appreciated at the city level.
These days have been different, yet equally important in the history of the Polytechnic University.
