A new dormitory for future doctors has been opened in Vitebsk

This facility is very relevant for the university, as it helps to solve an important problem that has persisted for years – over a thousand students were on the waiting list for a dormitory place. This was announced by the Rector of VSMU Anatoly Shchastny on the day of the facility's opening.

VSMU Rector with honored guests on the opening day

The university began to address the pressing issue on its own: the institution's administration initiated the construction of the residential complex at its own expense, and the university council supported it.

102 billion non-denominated rubles were spent on the construction and equipping of the first building of the complex; the second is estimated to cost approximately the same amount, with the majority being the university's own funds earned from off-budget activities. The general contractor, JSC "Zhilstroy," which started the work last year and completed it within a rather tight timeframe, has not failed in the efficiency and quality of construction work.

Director of JSC "Zhilstroy" Alexander Litvinov presents a symbolic key from the new building to one of the students

Anatoly Tadeuszevich also expressed his immense gratitude for the support to the healthcare department of the regional executive committee and the Ministry of Health, including for the inclusion of the project in the State Investment Program.

As a result, 525 Belarusian and foreign students received their coveted housing by the new academic year. Approximately the same number will be accommodated in the similar dormitory No. 8, which is being completed nearby. It is expected to be commissioned on a turnkey basis in December-January. The entire complex is designed for 1,040 places.

– This is a challenging project for us, but I am confident that we have made a fundamentally important and responsible decision, – says Anatoly Shchasny. His thought was supported by **Deputy Minister of Health Igor Lositsky**, who took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the new building. "The fact that the university practically built a dormitory for itself is a good initiative and an example for other universities," he noted.

Deputy Minister Igor Lositsky took part in the grand opening

The university demonstrated a responsible approach at every stage of construction.

– We tried to create the most comfortable conditions for our students and take into account the requirements of modern life, – emphasized the rector.

Tangible proof of his words can be seen in every square meter of the new building. The dormitory is built in a block type; each block has its own equipped kitchen, bright and spacious rooms for 2-3 people, and a bathroom.

Among the new residents are students Alexandra Konstantinova and Victoria Pimochkina

The building has Wi-Fi, which is an essential condition for modern youth. A gym and fitness room, several lounges and study rooms, and laundry and drying facilities are equipped. Guest rooms are provided for parents visiting their children from afar.

Among other new residents, **Margarita Simankova, a student of the medical faculty**, who came to Vitebsk from the Mogilev region for her diploma and previously had to rent an apartment with a friend, has already managed to appreciate the comfort of the new building. Now she has a spacious room with a new roommate, and, importantly for Margarita, a gym.

Margarita with sports club instructor Dmitry Prokhorenko

At university, the girl became seriously interested in arm wrestling, even achieved the first category and became a candidate for master of sports. If earlier she had to travel to the gyms of other university dormitories, now it is enough to just take the elevator to the lower floor. And she trains every day. And there are many such athletes among the residents of "seven", as could be seen by looking into the gym on the opening day.

   

The new dormitory is a gift not only for students, believes Vice-Rector for Educational and Ideological Work Olga Syrodoeva, but also, in a sense, for the city, as it provided a number of vacancies. Today, the staff who will be engaged in educational, organizational, informational, sports, and cultural and mass work is fully staffed. In addition, the modern student high-rise has become a decoration of one of the central avenues of Vitebsk.

Natalia Ryzhkova. Photos by Dmitry OSIPOV. "Vitebskiye vesti".