{"id":91262,"date":"2024-06-18T10:38:04","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T07:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/91262\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"political-purges-indoctrination-affect-university-enrollment","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/91262\/","title":{"rendered":"Political purges, indoctrination affect university enrollment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Ale\u015b Hudzija<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian State University (BSU) is ranked 387th by QS, a leading university ranking organization. The education system in Belarus is caught between the hammer of the government’s ideological doctrines and the anvil of demographic problems. Belarusian universities may see their global rankings fall.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n Rectors taking notes of Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka's instructions in Minsk on February 13\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (\u0141uka\u0161enka press office)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Social, political and economic tensions have affected education after 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good traditions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is not a surprise that Belarusian universities are among the top 1,500 because higher education in Belarus has traditionally been at a fairly good level.

Belarusian universities remain in the top 1,500 even after political purges among academics. Many international programs and organizations have stopped collaboration with Belarusian state universities. Some universities and researchers have disappeared from similar rankings.

Universities of Belarus and neighbors in QS World University Ranking 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lomonosov Moscow State University – 94<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Warsaw – 258<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Tartu – 358<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian State University – 387<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius University – 439<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University – 701-710 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riga Technical University – 721-730<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The QS ranking is considered one of the most reputable. It takes account of many factors, including academic reputation, employment outcomes, international research network and enrollment.

Belarus is represented by three universities – BSU, Belarusian National Technical University (801-850) and the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (1201-1400).

For reference, Latvia and Estonia are represented by the same number of universities. The leading universities in these countries are Riga Technical University (group 721-730) and the University of Tartu (358). The latter is the leading university in Estonia, although it is not located in the capital.

Ukraine is represented by 11 universities, led by Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University (701-710).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poland has 22 universities, led by the University of Warsaw (258).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuania has five, with Vilnius University highest ranked at 439th. Russia is represented by 47, with Lomonosov Moscow State University at 94th.

Belarus does not stand out among its neighbors, neither in the number of universities nor in their standings. BSU has seen its position on the list decline in the last few years.

Meanwhile, the system of higher education in the country has eroded as a major politically-driven overhaul forces many researchers and students to emigrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enrollment down<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Enrollment fell to 2.5 percent of the population in 2023 from 4.8 percent in 2011.

University enrollment in Belarus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak 2011 \u2013 451,000 students, 4.8 percent of the population<\/strong>; 2023 \u2013 233,000 students, 2.5 percent of the population<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The population decline is a major problem for higher education and the economy in general.

The proportion of young people shrank between 1991 and 2023, and therefore enrollment will continue to decrease.

Population by age, 1991<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men, women<\/p>\n\n\n