Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin, on behalf of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, presented president’s letters of commendation to teaching staff, students, and cadets on 25 June, BelTA has learned.
The prime minister presented the president’s letters of commendation to university educators for their significant personal contributions to the training of highly qualified specialists and the development of talented young people’s creative abilities. Students and cadets who have already demonstrated outstanding achievements in science, creativity, and public life during their studies were also recognized.
“This year, over 45,000 graduates will join the ranks of young people with higher education. They are the intellectual foundation of our country. It is you who drive technological progress and, consequently, the economy as a whole. Without an educated youth, a state has no future. And this phrase is by no means a cliché. It is you, the younger generation, who will tomorrow take up the baton of running the country and making vital decisions. The responsibility for the fate of the state and the wellbeing of the people will rest on your shoulders,” said Aleksandr Turchin.
According to him, investment in youth education is the most rewarding. It is an investment in the country’s long-term security and sovereignty. “Today you stand on the threshold of independent life. All roads are open to you. Always remember: you are needed by your country. There are many areas where you can apply yourself - the key is to find your place. Do not be afraid to make mistakes; believe in your strengths and your knowledge. The hardest exam is not the one in your grade book. Life will bring many trials. But the ability to think, to improve yourself, to work in a team, responsibility, and diligence will help you overcome them,” he told the students and cadets.
The head of government addressed special words of gratitude to the educators for their contribution to teaching and nurturing the younger generation. “Your successes, dear graduates, are the result not only of your personal efforts but also of your mentors’ work. Today, 17,000 educators at the country’s universities pass on knowledge to young people, helping them grow personally and professionally. This work is priceless,” Aleksandr Turchin emphasized. “I am confident that today’s award will be not only a recognition of your achievements but also an incentive for new accomplishments.”
Yuliya Lyzikova, Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with a course in advanced training and retraining at Gomel State Medical University, noted that the president’s letter of commendation is the first award of her life. “This is very moving and valuable. I am very proud of this award. I was also a laureate and received a scholarship as a young scientist and as a young professor,” she said. “When I found out, it was a great honor and joy for me. But I want to say that this joy is not only mine - it belongs to my family, my university, and my city. It is a great achievement, and I am very proud of this award.”
Andrei Tsurikov, Professor at the Department of Biology of Francisk Skorina Gomel State University, in turn noted that great attention is paid to teaching and research work. “I have felt the attention and support throughout my life - from the state and, above all, from the president. Over the years, I have been awarded the president’s scholarship three times - once as a postgraduate student and twice as a young scientist. Our student research laboratory Flora and Vegetation received support from the special fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the support of talented students and schoolchildren in 2020. Thanks to that, a state-of-the-art laboratory was developed where we study the genetic aspects of various organisms. This is very important for students. They also feel this support - it motivates them greatly and attracts many young talents to our institution,” he said.
Mariya Shidlovskaya, a fourth-year cadet at the Institute of Border Guard Service’s Officer Training Faculty, is confident that this gratitude is not just a recognition of academic performance but also an acknowledgment of the work of the entire institute, the border guard service, and its officers and educators. “This is not just an honor but also a huge responsibility. For me, this is not the finish line but a starting impulse for further development,” she said. “More and more girls are entering this field. After all, it is an honorable profession. And in principle, within the framework of border control, it allows girls to prove themselves, especially where attentiveness and persistence are needed. Girls are handling this work quite well. We maintain the standard - we are resilient and steadfast. And we are being noticed more often. We are already capable of carrying out state border protection tasks with distinction.”
