Invitation
We are glad to welcome you to the page of the initiative to create the Belarusian Research University. This project was prepared by well-known Belarusian researchers and scientists, who at various times were banned from working in Belarus or forced to migrate for political reasons.
Our goal is to create an independent center of Belarusian research and education, which could claim to be the starting point of the new Belarusian Academy.
This is an important step for preserving and strengthening the national identity of Belarusians in the face of regional threats, as well as a move towards creating one of the important centers for the transmission of knowledge about Belarus and related research through the Belarusian lens.
The concept of the university has no direct political content and this project has no simple affiliation with any political structure. Nevertheless, against the background of large-scale repression against civil society in Belarus and the “criminalization” of any activity of non-state institutions, this project may be perceived as “political” at home. In addition, for its implementation and sustainable existence in the future, it requires joint efforts of democratic political forces and structures of civil society.
Understanding its civic mission and sharing European values as a factor in the future development of the nation and the country, the initiative group for the establishment of the Belarusian Research University calls on Belarusian and international organizations to partner in the promotion of this important public project.
We hope that the independent Belarusian research university, registered in the EU country, will be able to become a place for fruitful cooperation of people both in Belarus and abroad. That it will be an important step in support of the European choice and democratic development of Belarusians on the part of the international community, funds and Western politicians.
University is a common affair!
THE CONCEPT OF ESTABLISHING BELARUSIAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Sustainable development of any national community relies heavily on critical thinking, contemporary scientific research and higher education. Today Belarusians in many areas of society, including political organizations, academic circles, civil society groups and business people are expressing strong need for a higher educational institution that would fully correspond to their national interests.
The mission of the Belarusian Research University is to create a space for free national thinking, based on the principles of academic freedom and European values, strengthen Belarusian identity and traditions of multiculturalism, focus on free and democratic development of Belarusian society and maximize its academic, intellectual and cultural potential.
The main output of the project will be the consolidation of the academic and intellectual community, institutionalization of Belarusian language in academic research and higher education, creation of an intellectual center capable of stimulating the innovative transformation of the education system and society as a whole, promoting democratic values and the development of intercultural dialogue.
The institution will be a democratically governed university which provides equal rights and opportunities for participating in its governance to all stakeholders including students, alumni, faculty, staff and donors. The university will form close partnerships with civil society organizations and business associations. Democratic structures and procedures developed in the University will be able to serve as a model for the reforms of the governance of Belarusian higher education system.
The university will be conducting research in which scientific work is focused on nationally relevant issues. The institution will also provide the dissemination of its knowledge across the European and global information space. It will strive to strengthen the visibility of Belarus and its problems in the international academic, scientific and expert communities.
PhD and MA degree programs will be offered in several directions of scientific activity while MA programs are considered as the main form of educational activity of the University in the initial stage. The proposed areas of research and study are: History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Regional Studies, Belarusian language and literature, Sociology, Ethnology and Anthropology, International law, Theory of Education, and Cognitive Sciences. Core team of the future departments will comprise highly-skilled Belarusian academics, but it will also provide a place for all researchers engaged in Belarusian studies.
The faculty structure of the university would effectively combine centers and departments with the traditional affiliation to the Rector’s office and (semi-)autonomous institutes and colleges with great administrative and financial independence.
Initial funding will come from grants and philanthropy. In the second phase a business model will be elaborated to ensure long-term financial sustainability through tuition fees, research grants, donations and endowment.
The university will be registered in one of the EU-countries to be transferred in future to the national educational space of Belarus.
Open letter
An open letter in support of the project of the Belarusian Research University, signed by representatives of the international academic community:
Read Collection of signatures continues until June 30, 2024Inviting speech of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
on the first public presentation of the project 29/05/2024
Contact with us
We appeal to those who are interested in cooperating with us as partners, potential employees or promoters of the project and invite you to leave your questions and suggestions through our contact form. Thank you very much for your interest in our project!
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