Foreign students are increasingly choosing universities in the Vitebsk region

While the stressful period of university admission is over for Belarusian applicants, it is in full swing for foreigners wishing to pursue higher education in Belarus. Foreign citizens are being enrolled in domestic universities until October 15. However, it is already clear that the demand for Belarusian educational services is increasing every year. This year, more than 2,000 foreigners will study in the Vitebsk region, which is a quarter more than, for example, in 2011. The correspondent of "VV" investigated what attracts young people from all over the world to our country.

They Do Not Violate Law and Order

The Department for Citizenship and Migration of the Regional Executive Committee reported that almost all foreign students come to the Vitebsk region for quality higher education. Currently, young people from 37 countries are studying in the region, but traditionally, the largest numbers are from Turkmenistan, Russia, and Sri Lanka. According to Maxim Shukhrov, senior inspector of the Regional Executive Committee Department, the registration procedure for foreign citizens is carried out at the request of educational institutions and is strictly regulated: universities centrally submit documents to the district departments for citizenship and migration, where temporary residence permits are issued.

– The majority of foreign citizens spend a long time and diligently choosing a place of study abroad, – Maxim Shukhrov clarifies. – They come to Belarus consciously and rarely cause trouble for law enforcement agencies. For example, since the beginning of the year, only 35 foreigners have been brought to administrative responsibility for violating migration legislation. 8 people had to be deported from the country for particularly malicious and repeated violations. But overall, foreign students know and respect Belarusian laws. A lot of work is being done in this regard by the universities where they study, as, in essence, this is also their image.

Price-Quality Ratio

The undisputed leader in the number of foreign students among the leading universities in the region is traditionally Vitebsk Medical University, which was the first among them, since 2002, to switch to teaching a number of disciplines in English for the convenience of foreign students. According to Elena Belyakova, Head of the International Department of VGMU, there are currently 733 foreign students at the university, and their number is growing every year. For example, it is planned to enroll another 250 foreign citizens by October 15. Citizens from more than 30 countries are gaining knowledge at the university, but the largest numbers are from Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Nigeria, and Ghana. Medical practice is particularly in demand. According to Elena Belyakova, the medical university has been working with foreign students for a long time and is renowned for its high level of specialist training, therefore, even guests from abroad, despite studying on a fee-paying basis, have to participate in a document competition and then undergo a personal interview.

– Foreign citizens are satisfied with the price-quality ratio at our university, – emphasizes Elena Alexandrovna. – Depending on the specialty, the cost of education for them varies from 1.7 to 4.5 thousand dollars per year. We always provide dormitory accommodation for the first and second-year students. After graduating from Vitebsk, foreigners receive a diploma that is recognized in the CIS countries, Asia, and Africa, and after Belarus joins the Bologna Process, we hope, in most EU countries.

Following VSMU, VSU named after P. Masherov is also increasing the number of international students, with almost 600 foreigners from several dozen countries already studying there, and plans to admit about 120 more this academic year. The majority of students are from Turkmenistan, China, Ghana, Nigeria, and Russia, with some even from Austria and Israel. The most in-demand specialties are jurisprudence (most frequently chosen by Turkmen students), Romance-Germanic philology, programming, and applied informatics, where, incidentally, instruction is conducted in English. According to Olga Lyubchenko, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Citizens Training at Vitebsk State University, the university's popularity abroad has grown after its inclusion in the international program "English Medium" and the integration of curricula with the Hohhot Higher College in China. In the first case, foreigners study in English for two years, concurrently learning Russian, and then study in Russian in their 4th-5th years. In the second case, Chinese students majoring in fine arts and music study in their home country for three years, learning Russian, and then come to Vitebsk to complete their 4th-5th years, master's degree, and receive a diploma recognized in Belarus and the People's Republic of China.

– The relatively affordable cost of higher education in Belarus suits foreigners – it is about 2-3 thousand dollars per year for us, – notes Olga Lyubchenko. – Furthermore, our university is known for its competent faculty, excellent material and technical base, and comfortable living conditions for students; every international student is provided with dormitory accommodation. They also appreciate the attentive attitude of the faculty; each international student is assigned a curator who assists them in all matters. In general, not only our students but also Belarusians as a whole are friendly towards guests from abroad.

Currently, 240 citizens from other countries are studying at the Vitebsk Academy of Veterinary Medicine, with another 10 expected to arrive in the near future. The majority of these international students are from Turkmenistan, specializing in veterinary sanitation and expertise. There are also students from Azerbaijan, Israel, Jordan, Russia, Ukraine, Tunisia, and nearly a dozen other countries.

– The Veterinary Academy is the leading specialized higher education institution in our country, and its diploma is recognized not only in the CIS, – says Elena Bratushkina, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the VSAVM. – All conditions are created for foreigners for study and comfortable living. We have an excellent clinical base, laboratories, we teach on animals, thanks to agreements with agricultural organizations, great attention is paid to practical training, there is an opportunity for additional activities, including scientific research. All the academy buildings are located compactly, which is also very convenient for visitors who are not familiar with the city.

Almost 150 foreigners from 10 countries study at the Vitebsk State Technological University, and this year more than 20 more are expected. Almost 90% of them are citizens of Turkmenistan, who mainly enroll in economics specialties, but future engineers studying automation of technological processes and production also study here. Tuition for full-time foreign students is $2,350 per year, and for part-time students – about a thousand.

According to Valentina Yarulina, a methodologist at the Faculty of Pre-University Training and Career Guidance of VSTU, foreigners are attracted to this university by the quality of our higher education at a relatively low cost.

– The diploma of our university is of international standard, all foreign students are provided with dormitory places, there are excellent opportunities not only for study but also for sports and creative activities, – she says. – Foreigners like the peaceful atmosphere in our country, the loyal and friendly attitude towards them from teachers and students. However, it should not be thought that the academic requirements for foreign students are softer. Several dozen foreign students were expelled from the university last academic year for poor academic performance and absenteeism.

Polotsk State University currently has 210 students from 12 countries, with 60 more expected. 80% of foreign students are citizens of Turkmenistan, whose specialties are mainly related to oil refining and jurisprudence. Full-time tuition for them costs $2.4 thousand per year, and all students are provided with dormitory accommodation.

– PSU is known as a leading specialized university in the oil refining industry, – says Igor Magalinsky, Dean of the Faculty for Work with Foreign Students. – For a small fee, foreigners can master unique specialties here that are highly valued in the labor market. Naftan OJSC is an excellent production base for our students' practical training. Now we are trying to develop new markets for exporting educational services – Africa and Arab countries. However, the tense situation in the Middle East limits us.

"We will send our children to study with you too"

To get the full picture, we also interviewed foreign students themselves about why they chose to study in Belarus.

Adeniran Adekunle Shafihyu

from Nigeria, a student at VSU named P. Masherov:

– I learned a lot of good things about your country from a friend who studied in Grodno. I enrolled in the "English Media" program, as it is a good opportunity to master both English and Russian, as well as get a higher education. I dream of returning home and starting a business there, like my parents. I really like Belarus, foreigners are respected here, you always feel safe.

Maksat Annakuliyev

from Turkmenistan, a student at VGMU:

– I couldn't get into a medical university in my home country, although I always dreamed of being a doctor. I learned about the opportunity to study in Belarus online. Compared to Russian universities, the cost of tuition is cheaper here, the level of knowledge is no worse, and the diploma is recognized in Turkmenistan. Studying is difficult, of course, but interesting. Belarusians are very pleasant people to communicate with.

Michael Agbadje

from Nigeria, a student at VGMU:

– I am in my third year, and this year I brought my younger sister, Rebeca, to enroll. We found out about the university on the Internet, and today I am very pleased that I am studying in Vitebsk. I like the high level of the teachers, the excellent equipment of the university, and the friendliness of Belarusians towards visitors. In Russian cities where my acquaintances study, there is a problem with skinheads, and many are afraid for their safety.

Vael Kassen

from Lebanon, a student at VGMU:

– To study in Belarus, I even specifically obtained Belarusian citizenship. The fact is that my mother worked at the medical university many years ago, married a Lebanese man, and moved to live with him. Thanks to her, I have a good command of the Russian language, and therefore I chose Vitebsk for my studies. In Lebanon, it is unrealistic to get into state-funded places at a medical university due to the high competition, and paid tuition can cost more than 25 thousand dollars a year. Moreover, the quality of Lebanese education leaves much to be desired. Therefore, I am happy to study in Belarus and recommend your country to all my friends.

Akansha Tarnekar

from India, a student at VGMU:

– I am graduating from the university this year and am very happy with my choice. After all, I not only received an excellent education but also found my love – my future husband, Rai, has already finished his studies here and is waiting for me in India. He got a well-paid and prestigious job there, which I hope to achieve soon as well. Your country is very hospitable. When our children grow up, we will definitely send them to study in Belarus.

Alexander KUTYNKO, "Vitebskie vesti".