The Initiative to Establish the Belarusian Research University Supported by 90% of Respondents from the Pro-Democratic Part of Society

According to a study conducted in January 2025 by Dr. Hienadz Korshunau and Dr. Alena Shkurova, the initiative to create the Belarusian Research University received broad support — 90% of respondents considered it relevant and timely.

The survey included 699 participants representing the pro-democratic part of Belarusian society: 235 respondents living in Belarus and 464 residing abroad.

According to the respondents, the key functions of the new university should include:

• creating a platform for communication among Belarusian researchers;
• promoting Belarus-related topics in the international research space;
• educational activities.

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The Initiative to Establish the Belarusian Research University Supported by 90% of Respondents from the Pro-Democratic Part of Belarusian Society

According to a study conducted in January 2025 by Dr. Hienadz Korshunau and Dr. Alena Shkurova, the initiative to create the Belarusian Research University received support from 90% of respondents within the pro-democratic part of Belarusian society.

A total of 699 people took part in the survey: 235 respondents in Belarus and 464 abroad.

According to the respondents, the key functions of the future university should be:

• educational;
• promoting Belarus-related topics in the international research space;
• creating a platform for communication among Belarusian scholars.

In addition to the survey, the researchers conducted nine in-depth interviews with representatives of the Belarusian business community in the United States, Lithuania, Poland, Switzerland, and Estonia.

Participants of the interviews emphasized, among other things, that:

• Belarusians need an intellectual center for developing shared concepts of the present and the future;
• the university should be nationally oriented and based on the Belarusian language and culture;
• to meet the expectations of society and partners, it is important to maintain a balance between its main functions: educational, research, and communicative.

Almost all interviewees expressed their willingness to support educational initiatives in various ways, including the Belarusian Research University.

“If I can be of any use, I’m ready to take part,” — noted one of the respondents.