Today, June 28, Belarus celebrates Youth and Students' Day. The holiday is held annually on the last Sunday of June. Sergei Kharitonchik, Rector of the Belarusian National Technical University, congratulated the younger generation of BNTU.
"Dear students, young scientists, and staff of the Belarusian National Technical University! I sincerely congratulate you on Youth and Students' Day.
This holiday is a symbol of creativity, inspiration, and the pursuit of new knowledge. It unites everyone who is ready to contribute to the development of our society and confidently look to the future.
The role of the youth movement and students in the life of the country is enormous. You are the future of the Republic of Belarus, and it depends on you what it will be. Your dedication to science, passion for innovation, and proactive approach to life are a worthy contribution to the prosperity of our country.
We are proud that BNTU trains not only highly qualified engineers but also true patriots for whom the concepts of duty, honor, and love for the Fatherland are unshakable values.
I wish you good health, inexhaustible vitality, optimism, and success in all your endeavors. May every step you take lead to new achievements, and may the support of like-minded people be a reliable foundation along the way.
Rector
History of the holiday
The history of the holiday began in the USSR, when Soviet Youth Day was celebrated on the last Sunday of June. It received official status in the sovereign Republic of Belarus on March 26, 1998, after the signing of Presidential Decree No. 157, which established this date as Youth Day.
To highlight the importance of students and their contribution to the life of the country, as well as to strengthen ties between students and working youth, the holiday was expanded. In accordance with Presidential Decree No. 237 of June 25, 2021, it was renamed Youth and Students Day.
In Belarus, youth policy occupies a key place in government activity. Over the past three decades, numerous programs and projects aimed at supporting young people have been implemented. The Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus "On the Strategy for the Development of State Youth Policy of the Republic of Belarus until 2030" addresses all areas of youth life in the country, including improving the quality of the national education system and training qualified personnel, civic and patriotic education, creative and scientific potential, and other key principles.
The state is actively working to modernize the education system, from preschool to higher education. Particular attention is paid to young professionals, ensuring every graduate is guaranteed a first job. Thanks to this policy, young people choose to stay and work in their home country, contributing to its development.
Young People at BNTU
The Belarusian National Technical University has created conditions that allow the younger generation to develop in a variety of fields: education, science, sports, and creativity.
The Belarusian National Technical University has created an ecosystem where the younger generation has the opportunity for comprehensive development. Students not only master engineering and technical specialties at a high level but also realize their potential in laboratories, sports arenas, and stages.
The heads of the university's youth organizations spoke about student life outside the classroom: Ekaterina Korsak, Chair of the Young Scientists' Council; Anna Yashchebskaya, Chair of the Student Council; Rodion Fedorovich, Secretary of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM) with the rights of the BNTU Regional Committee; and Maxim Kulik, Chair of the Primary Student Trade Union.
Young Scientists' Council
The Young Scientists' Council serves as an effective tool for the professional growth of early-career researchers. According to Ekaterina Korsak, this structure acts as a guide for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students interested in science, helping them take their first steps in the world of scientific publications and achieve recognition in the academic community.
"BNTU is currently strengthening its scientific activity and has set a plan to realize the scientific potential of both students and staff. This statement alone suggests that young scientists are the foundation that will replace the professors currently teaching at BNTU. Therefore, the main goal is to preserve and enhance the experience gained by their predecessors."
The council's key events include the "Science Festival" and the "Festival of Professions," which take place in September in the Botanical Garden and Gorky Park, respectively. Furthermore, young BNTU scientists are traditionally among the organizers of the national youth project "100 Ideas for Belarus."
"These events are aimed, on the one hand, at showcasing the achievements of young scientists, and on the other, at popularizing science among the public, demonstrating that it can be interesting and multifaceted, where everyone can find something to their liking," added the chair of the Young Scientists' Council.
Student Council
The Student Council is responsible for students' adaptation to the university and their introduction to the university's social life.
"We work as a support ecosystem. We help first-year students adapt and find teams for projects in their studies and research. We provide resources for creative and social activities. The Student Council doesn't impose formats, but rather helps transform any cool student idea into a large-scale project. Our goal is that upon graduating from BNTU, students, in addition to a diploma, have a wealth of real-world experience and soft skills. Within the university, we participate in key decision-making, from day-to-day issues in the dorms to organizing large-scale events. But we don't limit ourselves to the university." Our organization is actively involved in the national agenda: we participate in national youth forums and events attended by the head of state, and we develop inter-university cooperation, such as the "Student Bridge" project. BNTU's voice is heard at the highest level, and we demonstrate through our actions that young people are not just the future, but the active present," noted Anna Yashchembskaya.
The BNTU Student Council is an important voice for young people at the university. Through it, older generations can understand the aspirations and concerns of young Belarusians. Anna shared her thoughts on the needs of young people and their vision for the future of their country.
"Modern students are very pragmatic, but in a good way. They want a high-quality education, accessible technologies, and clear prospects: where to work, how to realize their potential, how to be useful. We are concerned about stability, the opportunity to develop our projects within the country, and confidence in the future." We see the future of Belarus as technologically advanced, developed, and peaceful, where the intellect, science, and initiative of young professionals determine the success of the entire country.
BRSM Public Association with the rights of the BNTU Regional Committee
Students are also active in another youth organization – the BRSM Public Association with the rights of the BNTU Regional Committee. Patriotic education, creative projects, intellectual competitions, and social events – all of this is part of the BRSM family.
"The BRSM Public Association is not just a youth organization, but a huge family in our country that helps students develop in every way. The organization has nine areas of activity that help students become more active, intellectual, patriotic, creative, and goal-oriented," said Rodion Fedorovich.
The secretary also noted that representatives of the youth organization participate in all events at BNTU, Minsk, and the country as a whole.
The most prominent events held by our organization include "BNTU Student of the Year," "Miss BNTU," QUIZ TIME BNTU, the opening and closing of the third work semester, "100 Ideas for Belarus," and much more. The benefits of each event vary: some help implement youth initiatives, find youth leaders, and organize youth employment; others provide entertainment and relaxation from the academic process, or, conversely, provide intellectual stimulation for student development.
BNTU Student Trade Union
The BNTU Student Trade Union contributes to the well-being and development of young students. Its activities are broad and include such areas as housing and living arrangements, financial support, volunteering, charity, and much more.
The trade union oversees dormitory check-in, monitors student residence, and participates in resolving conflicts related to dormitory living. The organization also maintains an up-to-date database of apartments available for rent to students who are not yet settled in dormitories. Furthermore, students can qualify for financial assistance in difficult life situations, with 15 eligible categories. We help students find temporary work in their free time. The BNTU Student Trade Union regularly organizes charity events for orphans, boarding school students, and animals living in shelters, said Maxim Kulik.
However, this is not a complete list of the student trade union's activities. It also conducts training courses and seminars for youth trade union activists, teaching them project and team management skills and effective communication. The student trade union organizes commemorative events, excursions throughout Belarus, as well as cultural and sporting events, creating conditions for unleashing the creative potential and uniting young people.
– Our largest events include "Battle of the Faculties," "Battle of the Six," "Mr. BNTU," and "Trade Union School." These events are held to foster patriotism, enhance student cohesion, preserve and develop the traditions of active student leisure, and expand opportunities for creative expression. Sporting events promote a healthy lifestyle and develop mass sports among students, fostering values for physical and spiritual development, as well as moral and willpower.
BNTU is a recognized center of engineering and scientific research, which simultaneously serves as a launching pad for students' active self-realization. We have created all the conditions for those who strive to prove themselves not only in science but also in sports, creativity, and social life.
That is why we wish you, dear students, master's students, and postgraduates, that your years at BNTU become a solid foundation for your achievements. May this time be filled with exciting discoveries, successful studies, and inexhaustible inspiration on your path to professional heights!
