On March 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with representatives of the initiative to establish the Belarusian Research University named after Astafei Valovich. The project is currently preparing for registration in Poland.
The team presented the concept of the university and introduced members of the Organizing Committee.
Participants in the discussion included:
- Pavel Barkouski, PhD in Philosophy;
- Curt Woolhiser, linguist and American professor of Belarusian studies;
- Andrei Vardamatski, Professor of Sociology;
- Dzmitry Nikanovich, PhD in Philology;
- Aliaksei Lastouski, PhD in Sociology;
- other prominent researchers.
The sides discussed the challenges facing the project as well as possible forms of support for the new educational initiative. Particular attention was given to the formation of the academic team, the timeline for the university’s official registration, and plans for launching its activities. Participants also discussed the role the new institution could play in the Belarusian academic space and its potential to provide expert support to democratic institutions and initiatives.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Many Belarusian scholars have had to continue their work outside the country but remain part of the Belarusian academic community. That is why creating new independent educational and research institutions is a truly important step. Such projects help preserve and develop Belarusian scholarship even in exile”.
