LOGIC, INTUITION, AND "BRONZE": STUDENTS OF KUPALA UNIVERSITY RANK AMONG THE TOP EXPERTS ON THE USSR ERA

On October 21, students from Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno took part in an international intellectual game titled "Socialist Realism: Painting as a Testament to an Era." Organized by the Syktyvkar Forest Institute, the event brought together history and art enthusiasts from Belarus and Russia in an online format.

The primary goal of the gathering was to foster international student cooperation, deepen knowledge of the culture and art of the Soviet era, and cultivate a respectful attitude toward a shared historical past.

Kupala University was represented in the intellectual arena by two teams: a joint team from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics and the Faculty of Physics and Technology, and a team from the Faculty of Biology and Ecology.

The rounds focused on socialist realism, an artistic style that prevailed in the USSR from the mid-1930s to the early 1980s. The game consisted of four stages, with 10 questions in each. Successfully completing the tasks required not only a strong theoretical foundation but also logic and intuition.

Following a hard-fought contest, the joint team from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics and the Faculty of Physics and Technology secured a respectable fourth place, while the students from the Faculty of Biology and Ecology finished among the top three, taking home the "bronze".

Congratulations to our students on this excellent result, we wish them many more intellectual victories!

A DIALOGUE OF CULTURES AND TRADITIONS: REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN MEET WITH STUDENTS AT YANKA KUPALA STATE UNIVERSITY OF GRODNO

On October 22, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno hosted a delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Belarus. The visit was prompted by an important occasion: the Day of the Uzbek Language, which is celebrated in Uzbekistan on October 21.

The diplomatic mission was represented at the meeting by Alisher Babaev, Counselor, Khusanboy Kodirov, Consul and Aziz Rakhimov, assistant to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

The visit to the university began with an official reception by the university’s leadership. The core of the program, however, was a meeting between the delegation and students who are citizens of Uzbekistan.

Representing Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno at the event were Liavontsi Paulau, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Vasiliy Sianko, Vice-Rector for Ideological and Educational Affairs, representatives from the Faculty of Law - Avak Vartanyan, Deputy Dean and Ryhor Tretsiakou, Internationalization Coordinator; Alena Belakoz and Alesia Belko, the leadership of the Education Internationalization Centre, Aleksandra Zhuk, Head of the International Projects and Academic Mobility Department and a group of international students.

The meeting with the students opened with a video prepared by the students themselves specifically for the Day of the Uzbek Language. Following this, Liavontsi Paulau addressed the audience with welcoming remarks, noting that the date for the meeting was not chosen by chance.

"This holiday is a significant state event aimed at the preservation, development, and popularization of the Uzbek language. It carries a profound spiritual and educational significance," emphasized Liavontsi Paulau. "The initiative to hold this event at the university level came from our Uzbek students, and we were very happy to support it." We hope that this will become a fine academic tradition.

The Vice-Rector also noted that the long-standing cooperation between Kupala University and educational institutions in Uzbekistan has a rich history, and he briefly recounted the stages of its inception.

Advisor Alisher Babayev also emphasized the importance of celebrating the Day of the Uzbek Language, especially for students living far from their homeland:

"One’s native language is more than just a means of communication. It embodies the memory of a people—their history, culture, spiritual values, and the bond between generations. Through language, we learn about the traditions of our ancestors and pass them on to the future. For each of us, the Uzbek language is the language of our family, our home, our great literary figures, and centuries-old wisdom," added Alisher Babaev.

He wished the students success in their studies and a strong pursuit of knowledge, while also encouraging them to cherish the culture of their home country, show respect for Belarusian traditions, and remain worthy representatives of their people.

Following this, the students gave a presentation detailing the evolution of their native language. They explained that October 21st was chosen because it was on this day in 1989 that a law was passed granting the Uzbek language the status of a state language. The students outlined four key periods in its development, highlighted its differences from Russian and English, and shared several interesting linguistic facts.

The meeting provided an opportunity not only to discuss practical matters but also to share in the joy of an important national holiday, further strengthening the friendly ties between the two countries.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the university, during which the guests were introduced to the history, development, and major achievements of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.

YANKA KUPALA STATE UNIVERSITY OF GRODNO HOSTS FINAL OF THE "RUCODE" INTERNATIONAL ALGORITHMIC PROGRAMMING CHAMPIONSHIP

On October 18, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno served as one of the host sites for the final of the "RuCode" Algorithmic Programming Championship. This large-scale competition brought together leading universities and educational institutions from Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Jordan—comprising 947 teams (2,334 participants) across 48 different locations.

At the University’s Faculty of Economics and Management, 16 teams of university students and schoolchildren competed. Two of the university’s student teams achieved notable success, ranking among the top performers in the championship.

The team "Bl9ShK4" (Aleksandr Malyshko, Hleb Vyskvarko, Yahor Tsybin) finished in 32nd place, while the team "SaaSB2BAIStartUp" (Mikhail Rusinovich, Aleksandr Peleyka, Vladzimir Sinkevich) took 38th place. These strong results qualify the teams to potentially participate in the "RuCode" Championship superfinal, scheduled for December 5–6, 2026.

The event was expertly organized by Yuri Stepin, Tatsiana Rusilko, and Vladzilen Loktevich from the Department of Mathematical and Information Support for Economic Systems. Technical support for the competition was provided by Yauheni Olizarovich, Andrey Brazhuk, and Andrey Burba.

Congratulations to the students and their mentors on this impressive achievement—we wish them every success in the superfinal! 

THE SHOW IS PICKING UP MOMENTUM: HOW THE FACULTIES SURPRISED EVERYONE ON THE THIRD DAY OF THE "ALMA MATER" QUALIFYING ROUND

The first-year student competition at Kupala University is entering its home stretch! On October 21, the third day of the qualifying round took place. While the audience discusses fairy-tale images and bright performances, we're sharing the main highlights of the shows and taking a look at the final day's program.

On the third day, the Faculty of Pedagogy, the Faculty of Biology and Ecology, and the Faculty of Physical Education took to the stage.

The team from the Faculty of Pedagogy not only demonstrated artistry and creative abilities but also turned the stage into a real "Wonderland".

Students from the Faculty of Biology and Ecology also managed to surprise the audience. Thanks to their talent and detailed work on their images, the students immersed the entire hall in a mystical atmosphere.

The Faculty of Physical Education amazed the public with the most recognizable fairy-tale characters, and their spectacular numbers and acrobatic tricks left no one indifferent.

Today, Kupala University is anticipating the final day of the qualifying round, which promises to be no less vibrant! The Faculty of Psychology, the Faculty of History, Communication and Tourism, the Faculty of Arts and Design, and the Military Faculty will present their performances.

Dear students, don't miss it!

A TIME FOR GOOD DEEDS: "VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2026" CONTEST LAUNCHES AT YKSUG

Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno announces the "Volunteer of the Year 2026" contest. The project aims to foster the volunteer movement, promote its core values, and identify outstanding youth leaders. It is organized by the Volunteer Activity Centre, the primary trade union organization for students, and the university’s branch of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union.

The contest is open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students, as well as college students who are actively involved in volunteer work.

Winners will be selected in the following categories: "I Am a Volunteer", "Best Volunteer Team", "Best Volunteer Social Media Group" and "Best Volunteer Project".

Participants may enter multiple categories.

To participate, please submit your application documents to the Volunteer Activity Centre (Ozheshko Str., 22, Room 228) by November 13, and also send a digital copy to the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We invite all active volunteers to take part! Detailed information about the contest can be found in the official regulations.

Have questions? Please contact the Volunteer Activity Centre at Ozheshko Str., 22, Room 228, or by phone at (80152) 731986.

PHOTO FACT: STUDENTS AND STAFF OF YANKA KUPALA STATE UNIVERSITY OF GRODNO JOIN THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN "GIVE THE FOREST NEW LIFE!"

Students and staff from Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno took part in the national campaign "Give the Forest New Life!". Working alongside the State Forestry Institution "Grodno Forestry" in the Neman Forestry District, the participants contributed to the restoration of forest resources and the preservation of Belarus’s natural wealth.

The campaign brought together representatives from various university faculties and departments. For the participants, this was not merely a practical effort to restore forest cover, but also an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of environmental stewardship. Working in organized groups, students and staff helped plant young trees and learned about the specifics of reforestation work.

As the participants noted, every tree planted is an investment in the future, an act of care for the environment, and a way to make our country even greener. Such initiatives foster an ecological mindset, unite young people, and demonstrate that real change begins with concrete actions.

FROM ETHNOCULTURE TO MODERN MEDIA: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD AT YANKA KUPALA STATE UNIVERSITY OF GRODNO

On October 21, an international academic conference "Sociocultural and Ethno-Confessional Processes in Modern Society" began at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. The event has brought together 131 participants from five countries, serving as a vital platform for dialogue among scholars, experts, and young people.

The forum has attracted representatives from Belarus, Russia, China, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Notably, students are actively participating in the discussions, more than 30 of them, including 15 from the Russian Federation.

"This conference serves as a traditional venue for discussing issues that are currently of concern to our country and the region. The focus is on sovereignty, state security, and integration-based cooperation. We are now in the digital age; whoever controls the algorithms, controls large groups of people. Our task is to understand how to harness these processes for the greater good, ensuring that digitalization helps address pressing challenges rather than becoming a threat. Furthermore, national ideological and symbolic codes are of key importance. This is a vast domain where our values, priorities, and behavioral models are established," noted Viktar Vatyl, Head of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at the Faculty of History, Communication and Tourism at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.

Among the conference participants is Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, and Head of the Department of Russian History at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.

"I am very pleased to be participating in this conference at the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno." This is an excellent platform for dialogue among scholars and the esteemed academic community, including representatives from the Institute of Philosophy and the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. "My own work focuses on the marginalization of consciousness in the face of contemporary challenges", noted Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva. "We must recognize that today, wars have become cognitive in nature. They are aimed at destroying historical memory and transforming fundamental values. It is therefore crucial to discuss the mechanisms by which narratives are deployed and to collaboratively develop effective models for future engagement, including work with young people."

The opening ceremony was initiated by Natalia Bashun, Vice-Rector for Research at Kupala University. Welcoming the attendees on behalf of the Rector and the academic community of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno she highlighted the significance of the forum, which successfully upholds long-standing traditions. The Vice-Rector wished everyone a productive session, lively discussions, and the opportunity to forge not only professional ties but also lasting personal friendships.

Mikalai Sukhotski, Candidate of Sociological Sciences, Associate Professor, and Deputy Director for Research and Innovation at the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, spoke about the unique mission of the modern researcher:

"The mission of a researcher in our century lies not in merely recording metrics, but in providing high-quality forecasting of long-term trends and equipping government authorities with the robust analytical foundations they so urgently need today".

Additionally, a welcoming address from the administration of the Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus was read during the opening ceremony.

Following the official welcome, the participants proceeded to the presentation of papers. The conference program spans the entire day. In various breakout sessions, scholars will explore topics such as national and confessional processes, the development of the tourism industry, the phenomenon of temporal orientations, and the historical consciousness of society within the media landscape. Special attention will be devoted to issues of sovereignty, state security, and integration cooperation. In addition, the conference will feature an academic forum titled "Anthropological Challenges of Postmodernity".

The organizers are confident that the conference will once again serve as a prominent platform for discussing both high-level scholarly topics and issues of pressing concern to our country, the region and our university.

A MARK OF EXCELLENCE: YANKA KUPALA STATE UNIVERSITY OF GRODNO CONFIRMS ITS STATUS AS AN ACCREDITED SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION

On October 9, 2026, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno successfully completed the state recognition process for its competence in the fields of scientific, scientific-technical, and innovation-related activities. Following an assessment by an interdepartmental commission, comprising representatives from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the State Committee on Science and Technology, the university’s status as a scientific organization was reaffirmed, with the issuance of an official certificate valid for five years.

Achieving this accreditation is the result of extensive, coordinated effort by the entire university community. The receipt of this certificate clearly demonstrates the consistently high scientific potential of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and confirms that its activities align with the priority areas of the Republic of Belarus’s state policy on science, technology, and innovation.

This status as an accredited scientific organization opens up a wide range of strategic opportunities for the university. These include strengthening the integration of academic research with the real economy, implementing innovative developments, and expanding prospects for student-led startup projects. Furthermore, it will bolster the university’s position in the market for educational and research services, while enhancing its appeal to international partners.

Today, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno demonstrates that academic research is far more than just theoretical inquiry; it is a powerful, practice-oriented tool that anticipates the needs of the labor market, ensures economic security, and fosters the innovation potential of both the Grodno region and the country as a whole.

We congratulate the university’s leadership, faculty, postgraduate students, master’s students, and all those dedicated to scientific pursuits on this significant achievement! We wish you not to rest on your laurels, but to scale new scientific heights, bring your boldest projects to life, and generate ideas that will change the world for the better!

"CARING, BRAVE, BEST FRIEND": YANKA KUPALA STATE UNIVERSITY OF GRODNO HONORS FATHERS

Father’s Day is a special occasion, a time to express our love for those who are always by our side. To mark the day, student organizations at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, the Student Trade Union Committee, the University Student Council and the Belarusian Republican Youth Union organized a truly heartfelt, themed event. It offered a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to show their appreciation for the people closest to them.

As part of the event, participants were invited to contribute to a collective portrait of an "ideal father" by sharing words that best describe their own dads. Terms like "caring", "brave", "best friend" and "mentor", along with many others, filled the celebratory display boards, reflecting the depth and diversity of the students' feelings toward their fathers.

This touching initiative served as a gentle reminder of how important it is to cherish time spent with family and to say "thank you" to our parents, not just on special occasions, but every single day.

VIBRANT, UNPREDICTABLE, AND CHARISMATIC: A LOOK BACK AT THE SECOND DAY OF THE QUALIFYING ROUND FOR THE "ALMA MATER – LOVE AT FIRST YEAR" COMPETITION

On October 20, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno hosted the second day of the qualifying round for the "Alma Mater – Love at First Year-2026" competition. Once again, students showcased a wealth of original ideas and boundless energy.

The Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Philology and the Faculty of Law presented their own unique performances.

First-year students from the Faculty of Engineering delivered a show that combined technical precision, talent, and unexpected plot twists.

The Faculty of Philology captivated the audience with powerful spoken-word segments, charisma, and dynamic dance routines.

The final group to take the stage was the first-year students from the Faculty of Law. They put on a striking performance that took the audience on an emotional journey, from unbridled joy and sadness to moments of breathtaking shock.

Today, the third day of the qualifying round promises to be just as vibrant! First-year students from the Faculty of Pedagogy, the Faculty of Biology and Ecology, and the Faculty of Physical Education will be showcasing their talents.

We invite everyone to come along and show their support!