From April 15 to 17, 2026, the 33rd international specialized exhibition "Budpragres-2026" was held at the Football Arena in Minsk. Over the course of three days, it served as a platform for dialogue between government, business, engineers, and consumers, presenting key achievements in the construction industry.
The exhibition covered the entire construction cycle—from investment justification to final finishing and landscape design. Visitors not only saw modern construction equipment but also received ready-made architectural solutions. There were areas dedicated to construction and road equipment, tools, finishing materials, design and modeling, high-tech architecture, and timber construction.
The exhibition's business program was eventful and catered to a variety of participants, including professional seminars, panel discussions, conferences, and demonstrations from participating companies.
The BNTU branch, the Intersectoral Institute for Advanced Training and Retraining of Personnel in Management and Personnel Development (BIAPR and HRD BNTU), traditionally participated in the event and organized two panel discussions on current and challenging issues in the construction industry. The discussions were moderated by Yuri Primak, Dean of the Institute's Faculty of Construction and Real Estate.
Thus, on April 16, the event was held under the theme "High-Tech and Prospects in Construction Day 2026: The Fruits of Progress at All Stages of the Facility Lifecycle." The panel discussion consisted of two interconnected sections – "Digital Contour: From Design to Operation" and "Artificial Intelligence: A New Level of Management" – which outlined the construction industry's irreversible transition to the use of digital twins and AI at all stages of the facility lifecycle.
Yuri Primak delivered the keynote address, "Innovations at All Stages of the Facility Lifecycle – Implementation Methodology at Construction Companies and Organizations." A keynote address was the conclusion that all innovative technologies in construction must be integrated and practically implemented by construction companies and organizations within the framework of a technological paradigm of end-to-end automated process management based on project management throughout the entire lifecycle of a construction project, with the creation and maintenance of a digital information model using artificial intelligence tools and systems.
Irina Aleksandrovna Kolesnikova, Head of the Minsk Inspectorate of the Department of Construction Control and Supervision of the Republic of Belarus and author of the professional standard "Management of Investment Projects in Construction," approved by Resolution No. 57 of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus dated December 29, 2023, spoke to those present about the experience of implementing project management methodology in the Republic of Belarus.
Anna Dmitrievna Voronova, a design technician in the BIM department at Belgosproekt Institute, explained to the participants how, at what stages, by whom, and when the information model of a construction project is formed and maintained in her report on "BIM technologies in the development of design models of buildings and structures."
A key element in the information modeling chain is digital data exchange technology. Konstantin Andreevich Sivko, Project Manager at Glavtelecom, a private enterprise that supplies the modern Vitro-CAD data exchange system, discussed the specifics of creating and using a shared data environment (SDE) in the design and construction of facilities. Sivko has accumulated significant experience implementing and operating this software product, which occupies a leading position in the Belarusian market.
Elena Valeryevna Dovgal, Head of the Business Process Automation Group at the Belorusneft-Neftekhimproekt Design Institute, a recognized digital leader in the national construction industry, presented a presentation entitled "The End-to-End Path of the Digital Model" across all stages of a facility's lifecycle. Thanks to this design organization's integration into all processes of facility creation, construction, and operation, Belorusneft specialists have accumulated unique experience and developed applied systems in the field of digital support for construction and operation processes that are unparalleled in our country.
The second part of the discussion focused on how artificial intelligence systems and neural networks are currently being used in construction companies and organizations, at what stages, and in what forms. Participants were able to discuss and present their developments, analyze international experience, and discuss the prospects for implementing these technologies.
Ekaterina Nikolaevna Volchek, Head of the Department of Innovative Technologies and Information Modeling at the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU), presented a report titled "Artificial Intelligence in Construction," which covered an analysis of the current state of neural network use in construction, international experience, and a comparison of the capabilities of various types of AI.
Alexander Anatolyevich Sereda, Chief Architect at Belgosproekt Institute, presented an intriguing perspective on the use of AI and practical experience using its tools in a design organization in his report, "AI in a Design Organization - an Effective Modern Tool for Building the Future."
Dmitry Pavlovich Romanchuk, Head of the Support Department at Glavbukh Group of Companies - GBSoft LLC, used his company's example to describe how they trained AI to answer user questions about 1.C. in his presentation, "Knowledge Base 2.0."
Irina Aleksandrovna Kolesnikova, Head of the Minsk Inspectorate of the Department of Construction Control and Supervision of the Republic of Belarus, discussed the prospects and potential of using AI in expert assessments and the State Construction Supervision Service, particularly for the purpose of automating inspections.
The second panel discussion, organized by the institute, took place on the third day of the exhibition, April 17, 2026. Its topic was devoted to one of the most pressing issues, the urgency of which is constantly increasing with the development of scientific and technological progress: the training of personnel capable of effectively using innovations.
The panel discussion was titled "People Decide EVERYTHING: 2026-2030: Developing and Growing Together with Budpragres."
The organizers prepared a program that integrated all stages of personnel training into a single process: from basic education to continuing professional education throughout the working life.
Participants discussed the training, preparation, retraining, and professional development of construction industry personnel.
The first section focused on secondary vocational education.
Speakers from the Minsk State College of Architecture and Construction - Yulia Vyacheslavovna Kozyreva, Head of the Construction Department, and Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Stanchik, Computer Science Instructor - addressed the use of robotics and modern equipment in student teaching at the college, as well as current computer programs in the educational process.
The topic was continued by Sergei Viktorovich Rybak, Deputy Director for Industrial Training, from the Industrial and Pedagogical College branch of the UO RIPO. He demonstrated the capabilities and approaches to student training at his educational institution, as well as the practical base and network approaches for preparing students within the following trajectory: worker - technician - engineer.
Next, in the second section, participants examined engineering training within higher education, including BIM and project management technologies, practical training, and internships from the laboratory to the construction site.
The speaker was Alexander Alexandrovich Bezhik, Head of the Department of Mechanization and Automation of the Road Construction Complex at the Faculty of Transport Communications at BNTU. Participants were also interested in the presentation's presentation on master's programs and research training, as well as industry demands for new competencies and how to meet them through the institute's system of retraining construction personnel.
Yuriy Aleksandrovich Stepanchuk, Deputy Head of the Center for the Development of Engineering Education and Organization of the Academic Process at BNTU, presented very interesting information for HR managers of enterprises and organizations in the construction industry. The state's strategy for meeting the demand for engineering personnel, currently being implemented in our country through a multi-vector, targeted training model, starting with career guidance and training for schoolchildren in engineering classes, admission to technical universities in their chosen field on preferential terms, targeted training with guaranteed employment, and the opportunity to obtain multiple qualifications during university studies, generated considerable interest among the discussion participants.
Traditionally, one of the key components of personnel training is preventive measures aimed at occupational safety and health.
Andrey Stanislavovich Snarsky, Dean of the Faculty of Industrial and Radiation Safety at BNTU, addressed the issues of training in the professional development and retraining system in occupational safety and industrial safety, as well as modern approaches applied at IIASRP BNTU.
The presentation by the youngest participant in the discussion, Alexey Dmitrievich Lukyanov, technical executor of an innovative project to introduce immersive technologies into the educational environment for training in a wide range of occupational safety and health fields, was also engaging. After a brief introduction to the nature and potential of software integrated with virtual and augmented reality, participants were able to try out training fragments on a virtual game simulator while wearing VR headsets at the BNTU booth.
It's worth noting that the presentation of the VR simulator and training programs using virtual reality at the MIPK and PC stand generated keen interest and engagement among visitors throughout the three days of the exhibition.
For active participation in the exhibition "Budpragres-2026" the BNTU Institute of Industrial and Computer Engineering was awarded a diploma.
We thank everyone who visited the BNTU Institute of Advanced Training and Competitive Studies (MIPK and PC) booth, the business program events we organized, and participated in the discussions.
We hope you gained a wealth of useful and relevant information. We would like to remind you that the Institute is always open to anyone seeking knowledge, skills, and experience in all areas of construction and related industries. You can visit us, write to us, or call us using any of the contact information listed on our websites, submit your inquiry, and receive a professional response.
