Author: dz.nikanovich@gmail.com

In February 2025, a three-day strategic session took place in Augustów (Poland), where participants formulated the mission, vision, and values of the future university and discussed its strategic goals, development priorities, and fundraising opportunities. The session brought together experts from various fields — from sociology and education to communication and finance.

Special attention was given to market analysis, legal aspects of establishing a higher education institution, and communication strategy. As a result of the meeting, a decision was made to register the Association for the Establishment of the Belarusian Research University in Poland.

The Astafiej Vałovič Belarusian Research University has presented its official brand book — a visual and conceptual identity that reflects the University’s mission and core values.

The brand book includes both mission-driven and visual elements, featuring a logo inspired by the traditional Belarusian protective symbol — the straw spider (salomiany pavuk) — as well as the color palette, typography, and communication principles. In the English version of the University’s name, the Belarusian transliteration Vałovič is retained as a tribute to national identity and respect for heritage.

The document is publicly available and intended for use by partners and the media.

On 23 September 2025, the District Court in Warsaw (XII Commercial Division of the National Court Register) issued a decision to register the association Astafiej Vałovič Belarusian Research University.

The organization was assigned registration number KRS 001195918 and has its legal address in Warsaw at Aleje Jerozolimskie 89, unit 43.

The registration marks the completion of the preparatory phase and the transition to the legally recognized existence of the initiative to establish the Astafiej Vałovič Belarusian Research University.

Is it already a university? Not yet — but this is the first step toward official recognition within Poland’s educational landscape.

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.

(Full version)

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.