Belarusian State University

The Belarusian State University is a center of education, culture and science, the major higher educational establishment in Belarus. It is quite young but at the same time it is the oldest University in our republic. It was founded in 1921 and had only two faculties at that time. The first President of the BSU was Professor V. I. Picheta. The republic's first University rapidly grew and developed and in the prewar period a number of independent higher schools for medicine, pedagogy, and national economy emerged on its basis.

During the Great Patriotic War the University was razed to the ground by the nazi invaders. In the post-war years it was quickly restored and in a short period of time turned into one of the largest institutions of higher education in Belarus.

Nowadays, there are 16 faculties, 5 Research Institutes, 24 scientific centers at the University. About 20,000 students study Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Geography, Biology, Philology, Journalism, History, Economics, Law, International Relations, etc. The academic staff includes 2,333 professors and teachers. Among them there are 214 Doctors of Sciences and 970 Associate Professors who work at the university’s 176 Departments. The University trains specialists in 57 specialities. It has full-time and distant learning forms of education. The University is committed to offering a high quality learning experience, which enables students to develop intellectually and individually.

Professors and students are engaged in both fundamental and applied research; the latter is carried out in co-operation with industry and business. The University laboratories are equipped with up-to-date devices.

The Fundamental Library of the University is one of the biggest libraries in Belarus. At present it possesses over 2 million volumes in Belarusian, Russian and other languages. It has 15 departments and 12 reading halls, a computer catalogue and central archives.

Every year hundreds of young specialists start working in different branches of national economy, science, education, mass media, prosecutor's offices and courts.

In 1967 the Belarusian State University was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour for its contribution to the development of science and academic training.

The Belarusian State University ranks high among European Universities. It is a member of a number of the International Universities Associations. The University participates in a number of international projects like TEMPUS, INTAS, COPERNICUS, etc. It hosts international conferences, seminars and exhibitions.

Task 5. As you know the first universities were founded in the Byzantium in the 5th entury (in Constantinopolis and Athens) and in Western Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries. Since then there appeared a number of university types all over the world.

Further on you will find some information about the University system in the English-speaking countries and Great Britain. It is intended to increase your general knowledge of the problem discussed. Read the text and write down the basic features of each university type.