October 10, Belarusian State Technological University hosted a round table with participation of organizations of the Belarusian State Oil and Chemistry Concern.

Among the participants were the leadership of the Ministry of Education and the Belneftekhim concern, vice-rectors for scientific work of universities and representatives of the country's leading enterprises in the field of petrochemistry and chemical production.

The need to host the event was to improve practice-oriented training, taking into account the interests of customers, setting tasks by industry enterprises for scientists to increase innovation activity and develop knowledge-intensive and high-tech industries and productions.

During his speech, First Deputy Minister of Education Alexander Bakhanovich emphasized: “The President of Belarus, when speaking the annual Address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly, noted that the trace of science in the development of the country should be more noticeable. Therefore, today, during this event, we would like to receive proposals from enterprises on the topics and content of research and design activities that meet the current needs of production, to improve the effective interaction and work of educational institutions with organizations that order personnel.”

It is noted that the most important condition for further economic development and national security of the country is the training of highly qualified personnel.

Currently, the training of specialists with higher education for the petrochemical complex of the republic is carried out in four institutions of higher education - BSTU, BSU, PSU and BSUT in 8 specialties.

The annual admission is about 400 people, the graduation rate is about 350 specialists, which allows us to meet the requests of customer organizations.

It is worth saying that there are two main areas of interaction that meet common interests between the organizations of the Ministry of Education and the Belneftekhim concern: scientific and technical support for the petrochemical complex and training of personnel for the petrochemical industry.

The concern's enterprises take an active part in coordinating educational program documentation, organizing internships, and conducting final certification of students.

The organization of additional education for managers and specialists of chemical enterprises is also developing effectively.

In their reports during the round table, employees of the Ministry of Education and heads of educational institutions outlined the current state of cooperation, pointed out existing problems and made proposals for eradication.

As part of the general discussion, representatives of university scientific departments presented their current developments in which the Belarusian petrochemical industry may be interested.

The Ministry of Education plans to hold a number of cooperation round tables with the participation of representatives of enterprises and organizations of the real sector of the economy and higher education institutions.

The main tasks include discussing current technological needs of enterprises; presentation of the scientific and technical potential of universities; promoting the implementation activities of university scientists, involving them in solving specific technological problems of domestic enterprises; interaction between universities and personnel contracting organizations.

Summing up, Alexander Bakhanovich stated: “We have one common goal - to ensure the welfare and prosperity of Belarus. I am confident that our joint work will contribute to this.”