Strengthening partnership relations of the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno with the Republic of Zimbabwe

As part of the visit of the Belarusian delegation of the country's leading universities, the first meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Zimbabwe was held in Harare from February 19 to 22. The commission was attended by a delegation of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, which included Anton Glazev, head of the research department of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.

On February 19, Anton Glazev, as part of the delegation of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, took part in the work of the Zimbabwean-Belarusian business Forum "Building a strong partnership: Using a shared vision of a sustainable future." During the events of the forum, negotiations were held and direct contacts were established with the leading institutions of higher education of the Republic of Zimbabwe – Lupane State University, the University of Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Bindura Scientific and Pedagogical University and Midland State University.

Agreements have been reached with representatives of these universities on working out proposals for the development of joint work in the field of development and implementation of joint educational programs (at the level of various bachelor's and master's degrees), projects, various events (summer/winter schools, internships, academic mobility events, conferences for students and teachers), conducting joint scientific research and creating joint publications in order to form a scientific foundation for the subsequent preparation of applications for joint research works for participation in various international competitions.

As part of the participation in the work of the expert group, a draft section on the social cluster was prepared and agreed with the Zimbabwean side for inclusion in the final Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Zimbabwe.

For representatives of the delegation of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, a visit to the infrastructure facilities of the University of Zimbabwe (Innovation Hub, Science Park – the Zimbabwean National Geospatial and Space Agency) was organized, during which representatives of the Belarusian delegation were able to familiarize themselves with the organization of educational and scientific activities at this university.

On February 22, the final Protocol of the meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Zimbabwe was reviewed and approved.

During the visit to the Republic of Zimbabwe, a cooperation agreement was also signed between Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and Bindura Scientific and Pedagogical University.

As part of the organization of career guidance events and promotion of the University's educational services in foreign markets, on February 21 and 22, a presentation of the educational, scientific and innovative potential of YKSUG was held for students of a number of institutions of secondary and secondary special education in Harare in order to form a pool of potential university applicants from among the citizens of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Agreements have been reached on joint work with the executive directors of recruitment agencies (Satco Academic and Ruoth Education Services) to implement the admission of foreign citizens who have completed secondary education in the Republic of Zimbabwe to study at the university in the medium term.

On February 23, at a meeting with the leadership and representatives of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovative Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe, negotiations were held and priority areas were developed for further development of bilateral cooperation in the field of education and science between universities and Ministries of Education of the two countries.