Today, March 31, the press tour "In the Rhythm of Youth: Build Your Future with Polytechnic" took place at the Belarusian National Technical University. More than 20 representatives of the Belarusian media participated in the event.
Note: The event was part of a series of press tours with Belarusian media to the country's leading universities. The series was organized by the National Press Center jointly with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.
Before the official launch, correspondents were treated to an exhibition of scientific developments from the BNTU Polytechnic Research Park, the Polytechnic Research Institute, and publications from the Scientific Library.
During the exhibition, media representatives spoke with students representing BNTU youth associations. Anastasia Krotova, Chair of the BNTU Volunteer Center, spoke about BNTU's social life and student volunteers.
"We created the university's first volunteer center. We haven't had anything like this in our country or the CIS before. We were the first to develop a concept, divide the sectors, and set the students' work guidelines. We have 14 volunteer teams. Each faculty has its own responsible staff and students interested in this activity. There are over 5,000 of them, and everyone is interested. But, naturally, everyone wants to develop in their own area. Therefore, the decision was made to create several departments. We have a patriotic sector that organizes events, including city-wide ones. Then there's social volunteering, which is always relevant. This includes helping the elderly, children, and animals. We actively help veterans and people with various illnesses."
Media representatives were then invited to a press briefing with Rector Sergei Kharitonchik, First Vice Rector Andrei Safonov, Vice Rector for Ideological and Educational Work Timur Matyushinets, and Deputy Director of the Institute of Integrated Forms of Learning and Education Monitoring Svetlana Gribkova.
During the briefing, Sergei Vasilyevich presented a report on the university's activities.
"Good afternoon, dear colleagues! I am pleased to welcome everyone to the Belarusian National Technical University. Thank you for coming to see our university and tell us about it. Today we want to share what we have and perhaps even surprise you with something. Our university works in three key areas: science, education, and, of course, the commercialization of our results. If there is a scientist, then there must be products that we find in cars, vehicles, and so on. These must be implemented. A technical university lacks science and education; commercialization is essential."
The rector discussed each area of the university's activities in detail, including education, science, sports, culture, and community service. The head of the technical university also noted BNTU's achievements in these areas. In his report, Sergey Vasilyevich also mentioned figures for BNTU's 2026 admissions campaign. This year, 3,828 first-year students are expected to be admitted, 3,173 of whom will be enrolled on state-funded scholarships. Of these, 2,748 full-time and 425 part-time places are available.
After his report, the rector answered questions from those present.
"What new specialties are opening this year? Which specialties are popular among students?"
"We are opening a new specialty this year in lifting transport equipment. We have received a request for this from the real economy, as a large number of lifting equipment are currently produced in Belarus: elevators, escalators, and conveyors. This demand has arisen. Naturally, we responded to this request".
Our traditional specialties have been in high demand for decades, not just overnight. These specialties include, of course, mechanical engineering, energy, and construction. These specialties are over 100 years old, and they are undergoing transformation, acquiring new professional teaching methods.
Among the topics of interest to correspondents is the university's popularity among applicants, both Belarusian and international.
— Why should applicants choose BNTU? What distinguishes it from other technical universities?
“We prove and demonstrate that an engineering profession offers a promising future for every student and every applicant. We also attract our students, who have already tried their hand at the profession and can already share their vision for our university. The large number of international students studying at our university plays a significant role. They, as the saying goes, "vote with their rubles." They understand that our university offers a good profession, our diploma is recognized literally worldwide, and our citizens also value our international market demand, which means we offer high-quality education and provide a good profession. We have students from approximately 35 countries. Our geography is very broad”.
After meeting with the university administration, the media representatives went on a tour of BNTU's research centers and laboratories. The guests visited a classroom (laboratory) for training in unmanned aerial vehicle control, which operates within the Military Technical Faculty. Colonel Igor Yankovsky, First Deputy Chief of the Military Technical Faculty, spoke about the advantages of training cadets using the classroom's equipment. Igor Nikolaevich noted that the classroom's high-tech facilities allow for the simulation of the most complex situations, preparing first-class specialists for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
The visit continued with a visit to the student design bureau of the Automobile and Tractor Faculty. Igor Serebryakov, Associate Professor of the Automobile and Tractor Faculty's Department of Technical Operation, shared the achievements of the students working in the bureau. He elaborated on the "Universal Electric Propelling Part for a Car" project, developed by a master's student and students of the faculty. The project won this year's "100 Ideas for Belarus" competition, and according to Igor Serebryakov, this development could give vehicles a "second life" by converting them to electric traction.
The tour concluded at the "Digital Mechanical Engineering" Competence Center. Sergey Mirgorodsky, a senior lecturer in the Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence Department, presented the key processes students learn at the center. During the presentation, media representatives learned that the "Digital Mechanical Engineering" program is not just a training facility but also a bridge between the university and the country's leading industrial enterprises, where BNTU graduates will implement new technologies.
During their stay at Belarus's leading technical university, the media representatives witnessed how the theoretical knowledge of future engineers is transformed into practical technical solutions. Journalists also answered questions about the specifics of the 2026 admissions campaign and assessed the scale of the university's scientific and educational potential, which today shapes the country's technological sovereignty.
We thank the reporters for visiting BNTU!
