Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko visited Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov
The State Commission for Monitoring the Preparation and Conduct of Entrance Examinations and Educational Institutions of the country has created proper conditions for applicants to demonstrate their knowledge in the CT. This was stated by the Chairman of the State Commission, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko today at the P.M. Masherov Vitebsk State University.
"Proper conditions have been created for applicants to demonstrate their knowledge without worrying about answering the questions in the tasks. We hope that the most worthy and seriously motivated individuals seeking higher and secondary vocational education will be admitted," said Igor Petrishenko.
This year, almost 77 thousand applicants registered for the CT. The largest number of applicants intend to take Russian language and mathematics – about 64 thousand and 42 thousand, respectively. The smallest number registered for Chinese and Spanish languages – 30 and 164. Testing will be conducted in 15 subjects. A feature of this year's admission campaign is that the economy's demand for specialists in legal and economic fields has been somewhat reduced, but the number of places for applicants in IT, medical, physical education and sports, as well as agricultural specialties has been increased. "We are currently developing a program to train specialists that the country needs most. We are approaching this issue flexibly, forming a plan together with customers and industries, and developing relevant documents to teach students what is necessary," added the Deputy Prime Minister. In total, universities expect to admit about 55 thousand applicants, and secondary vocational institutions – more than 40 thousand. The Deputy Prime Minister spoke about the changes that may
appear in future admission campaigns. Thus, the issue is being considered of admitting those with at least 10 months of work experience in the relevant field to part-time study. For certain specialties, a non-competitive enrollment of graduates from agricultural classes may be provided. Benefits for those who have completed compulsory service may also be introduced. "All these and other proposals are currently only being discussed," noted Igor Petrishenko.
He also drew attention to the provision of dormitory places for students. Two dormitories for 1.2 thousand and 1.8 thousand places were built in Minsk last year and this year. The active construction of dormitories for students of two Grodno universities is currently underway: the medical university and Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. "Upon completion of construction, the level of student accommodation provision in the country will be 95%," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Chairman of the State Control Committee for the Vitebsk Region, Vadim Zaryankin, touching upon the organization of the CT in the region, noted that hotlines for admission campaign issues are operating at the State Control Committee of the region, as well as in the Orsha and Polotsk inter-district committees. "In addition, a control commission is working at each educational institution where testing is conducted. We have four testing centers in the region - Vitebsk State Technological University, Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov, Polotsk State University, and Orsha State Mechanical-Economic College. Contact phone numbers of commission representatives are posted in these institutions on stands. You can contact them, including by mobile phone, to resolve your issues," said Vadim Zaryankin. Today, applicants took the first test - in the Belarusian language. The tests will last until July 1. Registration for taking the CT on reserve days (July 6, 8, 10) is possiblefrom June 30 to July 2 at BSU, testing will also take place here.
Andrei SHCHERBITSKY, photos by Alexander KHITROV, BELTA.