10 лет факультету международных отношений Белорусского государственного университета

Abstract

The Faculty of International Relations of the Belarusian State University united all the achievements of the Departments of International Relations (Faculty of History), International Law (Faculty of Law) and International Economic Relations (Faculty of Philosophy and Economics) when it was set up by the order of the Rector of the Belarusian State University on October 1, 1995. Yet, the history of the Faculty may be traced back to September 1992 when the Department of International Relations was created within the Faculty of History of BSU. The first 14 graduates from the Department of International Relations received their Graduation Certificates in June 1995. Ever since, the Faculty has been pursuing an active policy of creating new departments, of bringing together leading specialists in history, economics, foreign policy and diplomacy, law and of developing its technological and material resources. Following the rapid growth of the number of students and staff, the Faculty moved to a separate building at 25, Academicheskaya St. in autumn 1997. Since the start of its work the Faculty has become one of the most prestigious faculties of the Belarusian State University and, further, among the higher education establishments of Belarus. Currently 1it trains over 2000 students for Bachelor and Specialist Degrees and provides master’s, post-graduate and doctorate courses for over 50 students. Together with Belarusian citizens about 130 foreign students from 20 countries are trained in the theory and practice of international relations. Highly qualified specialists are trained at the Departments of International Relations, International Public, Private and European Law, International Economics, International Tourism Management, Customs Affairs, Oriental Languages and Country Studies, Modern Foreign Languages and Cultural Studies. The educational process at the Faculty is provided by 16 departments with more than 240 lecturers; among them there are 10 professors, 70 associate professors, holding academic degrees and titles. Besides the faculty, 60 members of staff are involved in administration and in running the computer and multimedia centers of the Faculty. The faculty invites experts and visiting scholars from other faculties and universities, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Ministries and State departments, as well as famous politicians and public figures to hold classes and deliver lectures. The Faculty graduates have proved to be highly skilled specialists. They successfully put the knowledge and skills acquired at the University into practice at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and in other bodies dealing with foreign economic and political affairs. Many of them have defended their degree of Candidate of Science and continue their career at the Faculty. The curricula for all specializations of the Faculty envisage intensive studies of foreign languages. At present 6 departments provide training in 16 modern languages. The possibilities for language training trips and sandwich courses are constantly being expanded. Training the practical professional skills of the students during the whole period of study is crucial. The faculty students take their internships at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education and other state bodies and organizations, as well as in banks and companies. The faculty is engaged in advanced academic research. During the period from 1998 to 2004 professors and lecturers of the Faculty published 53 monographs; 13 course books, approved and recommended for use by the Ministry of Education; 113 textbooks and manuals, 10 of which were approved and recommended for use by the Ministry of Education; 695 academic papers were also published. In the period from 1998 to 2004 40 Candidate of Science dissertations and 7 Doctor of Science dissertations were defended at the Faculty. The Faculty of International Relations takes part in the implementation of the State Programme on Fundamental Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The most significant output of the Faculty research is the publication of the seven-volume collection of documents and materials «The Foreign Policy of Belarus». The Journal of International Law and International Relations is published quarterly. The Faculty is involved in various international projects. Among the most important ones are the following: TEMPUS JEP «Integrating European Studies in International Relations Education» (Department of International Relations); «Strategy of Developing Ecological Tourism on the Territories of Specially Protected Natural Sites», funded by the UN Global Fund (Department of International Tourism). Every year the Faculty organises various academic and research events, such as: the Round-table «Belarusian-Russian Relations: Challenges and Prospects» (starting in 1998); the National conference «Belarus in the Modern World» (starting in 2002); students’ conference «Diplomatic Readings» on the Faculty Foundation Day (starting in 2002); «Belarusian International UN Model» (starting in 2003). There are two Councils for the Defense of Doctor of Science and Candidate of Science academic degrees: in History of International Relations and Foreign Policy and in International Law, European Law. The Faculty is involved in a wide international academic network. Among the partner universities are Moscow State University, Kiev State University, Vilnius University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Wroclaw University, Free University of Berlin, Vienna Diplomatic Academy, Asser Institute of International Public and Private Law, Beijing University of Linguistics and Culture, Cairo State University and other educational and research institutions of the countries of the CIS, Europe, Asia and America. At present an Agreement on Cooperation with the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is being worked out. The Faculty representatives take an active part in various international projects and programs, research and teaching methodology training workshops. The Faculty of International Relations is developing successfully. Its faculty, students, and staff would not be content with the results achieved and every year they add new bright pages to its emerging history.