Opinions & Interviews

With Resolution No.1014 (of 28 October 2014) the Council of Ministers of Belarus approved the implementation of the international technical assistance project “Education Force: Driving Mobility for the EU-East Europe Cooperation.” The coordination and control over the implementation of the project will be provided by the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee. Its direct participant is the Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperation.

The participation in the international program promises to be interesting and useful. The program is named Erasmus Mundus in official documents. The project, implemented under the program, is named EFFORT. Partaking in the project are 20 universities, including from the UK, France, Portugal, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece and the Eastern Partnership countries. The major goal of the project is to provide students and staff participating in the project with mobility opportunities that will greatly enhance their experiences and provide them with skills that will be valuable for their careers.

During the implementation of the project members of all participating countries take part in joint seminars. Such meetings provide partners with an opportunity to learn more about each other, share opinions, establish new contacts. “In fact it is a discussion platform where our representatives might introduce their viewpoint on education issues, tell about the successes and plans of the university, thus making a statement about the university in the international arena,” Tatiana Volynets said.

This year seven representatives of the Belarusian Trade and Economic University (students, postgraduates and staff) have got an opportunity to undergo courses and on-the-job training in the universities of Portugal, France, the Czech Republic, Greece, Latvia, and the UK under the project. Students will get a 10-month training course abroad. “Participants of the project are selected on a competition basis. All the lectures will be read in English. Thus, a good knowledge of the English language is a must,” Tatiana Volynets said.

Postgraduates and staff members also go on the on-the-job training, get familiar with the organization of the educational process, problematic aspects and ways to address them. They are preparing a presentation about the Gomel university for their foreign counterparts.

The Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperation is one of the leading universities in Gomel Oblast in international cooperation. Every year up to 30 students and staff members go abroad. Over the last five years the university has taken part in eight international projects financed by various organizations and funds, including the European Union. The total budget of the projects for all partners will exceed €2.5 million.

A new program Erasmus+ or Erasmus for All will be implemented in the European Union in 2014-2020. The program will unite seven current programs in education, science and sport. Students from the Eastern Partnership countries will have an opportunity to get grants for the participation in joint projects. Money will be allocated for doctoral scholarships, enhancement of qualifications of the staff in the partner countries.

In early December the Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperation will host an information day dedicated to the competition of draft proposals on the new program. Staff members of the universities from Gomel and Mogilev Oblasts responsible for the implementation of international projects and programs are invited to participate.