We have increased the number of state-funded student places in universities and reduced the number of tuition-paying places, Education Minister Andrei Ivanets said at a meeting hosted by the head of state to discuss the current university admission campaign, BelTA has learned.

The minister noted that more than 50,000 people are expected to be admitted to universities in Belarus this year. "Of these, 28,400 are state-funded places. I would like to emphasize that this is an increase of 600. The state is interested in training specialists. We are a welfare state and will provide the necessary conditions," Andrei Ivanets said.

The enrollment targets for tuition programs in universities have been reduced by 1,500 places, the minister noted. "This year it will be 23,500 places. At the same time we will waive tuition for another thousand students of vocational training schools. If a young person had plans to enroll in university for a tuition program, we give them an opportunity to go to a vocational training school. After a vocational training school, they can go to university," he added.

Other decisions include a decrease in enrollment in Minsk universities. It has been cut down by more than 500 places. Yet, enrollment into medical programs has been increased by 10% and that into pedagogical programs by 4.5%.

Written by belta.by