An open dialogue about the Law
- Published: Friday, 14 November 2025 16:34
Following the established norms and rules
is the key to a comfortable and safe stay
in the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
On November 14, 2025, the Belarusian State University of Transport hosted the dialogue platform «Open Dialogue on the Law», dedicated to issues of legislation for foreign citizens, as well as the prevention of offenses among students from foreign countries.
The participants in the dialogue were foreign students from China, Morocco, Somalia, Togo, Congo, who are studying at the Belarusian State University of Transport, as well as curators of study groups.
The experts of the meeting were:
- Deputy Chairman of the Gomel City Executive Committee Inna Viktorovna Gubar,
- Prosecutor of Gomel Vladislav Vladimirovich Zhurakovsky,
- Tatiana Arkadyevna Vlasyuk, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Studies at BSUT.
The meeting was moderated by Ekaterina Nikolaevna Volchek, Deputy Chairman of the Commission on Juvenile Affairs of the Gomel City Executive Committee.
She introduced the experts, noting that this is the first time such a dialogue platform for international students of BSUT has been held, and it is expected that it will become an important and useful tool for legal education for them. She said that, according to the Ministry of Education, more than 35,000 foreign citizens representing 112 countries are currently studying at universities in Belarus.
- The Republic is actively expanding the range of educational opportunities for students from abroad: from master's degree programs to preparatory departments. The State policy is aimed at maximizing the access of international students to quality education and creating conditions for their successful integration into the academic environment of the country. However, international students are also expected to comply with the established norms and rules.
Answering a question about the specifics and problems related to the education of international students, Tatiana Vlasyuk, Dean of the BSUT Faculty of International Studies, noted that the main difficulty is related to the difference in mentalities. Today, students from 17 countries are studying at our university, and efforts are being made at all levels to successfully adapt them - from volunteer tutors to management..
- The rules of accommodation and behavior both in the dormitory and at the university, as well as the norms in force in the country, are explained to international students. Such work helps to create safe conditions for studying and living in Belarus. Of course, some problems happen. For example, recently there was a conflict in the city between foreign students of three Gomel universities, the participants of which were subjected to strict measures, including deportation. However, there are no serious incidents inside our university, in particular in the dormitory. We try to prevent possible difficulties through systematic educational work and constant interaction with students.
Special attention was paid to the responsibility of foreign citizens for committing crimes and offenses, including extremist ones. The Gomel Prosecutor Vladislav Zhurakovsky addressed the participants of the open dialogue.
He noted that in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, only two types of punishment are applied to foreign citizens, regardless of the severity of the offense committed - arrest and imprisonment. Vladislav Vladimirovich stressed that everyone who comes to the country needs to carefully study its laws and regulations. Cultural differences and legal norms can lead to serious consequences, and ignorance of the law does not absolve from responsibility. As an example, the prosecutor cited the situation with narcotic drugs: if marijuana is allowed in some countries, then in Belarus its use and possession is classified as a crime.
In his speech, the prosecutor paid special attention to the prevention of extremism. He stressed that international students should be especially careful and not succumb to offers of «easy earnings», which often turn out to be deception and can lead to serious consequences. The prosecutor also drew attention to the need to be extremely attentive to subscriptions on social networks and messengers. It is important for foreign citizens to realize that preventing the spread of extremist materials is of particular importance for the Republic of Belarus. Compliance with this principle is an integral part of the country's law and order and security.
Inna Gubar, Deputy Chairman of the Gomel City Executive Committee, thanked the students first of all for choosing the Republic of Belarus for their education. This underlines the prestige of the Belarusian education system, its relevance and recognition at the international level..
- However, apart from prestige and the opportunity to receive a high-quality education that meets modern world standards, Belarus attracts foreign citizens with other qualities. This is peace, order, tranquility, cleanliness and well-being.
- «And by offering representatives of other countries such benefits for the period of their residence here, we, as a state, are interested in preserving all this,» Inna Viktorovna continued, «which means that the Republic of Belarus requires strict compliance with established norms and rules at the legislative level».
During the dialogue, international students were active and asked a number of practical questions. They were interested in where to get acquainted with the list of extremist channels, as well as on which official website the laws of the Republic of Belarus are posted..
An exhibition of relevant literature was opened to the attention of the participants in the small meeting room of the scientific and technical library.
As a result of the work of the dialogue platform, the outcome was summed up, including the conclusions and recommendations of experts.:
Strict observance of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus by foreign students is a prerequisite for their stay and study at the university and, in turn, ensures the legal protection of students..
Press Service:
Tatyana Modina,
photo by Elena Belous