Minister details how Belarus supports gifted youth
27.07.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – Support for gifted young people from the Belarusian president is a very important incentive for talented students to enter science, Belarusian Education Minister Andrei Ivanets told BelTA.
The minister noted that the requirements for laureates of the president’s special fund and special awards are very high. “Support for gifted youth from the president is a crucial stimulus encouraging smart young people to pursue science, and it also motivates them to study excellently. First of all, we are talking about winners of international competitions and Olympiads. The requirements here are very strict: at least 10 countries must participate in the international competition, and to form the national team, students must pass a multi-stage national selection, starting from their educational institution, then the regional level, then the national competition,” Andrei Ivanets explained.
The requirements for recipients of the special award are also very strict. As a rule, these are winners of national competitions who have proven themselves to be the best of the best. “We support school students, winners of subject Olympiads, as well as university students who win international and national Olympiads among students. A system of continuity between school and university has been built. The training of such students takes place at the National Children’s Technopark,” the minister added.
The past few years have shown high effectiveness of Belarusian school students at international Olympiads. “We set an ambitious goal that 100% of students who travel to international competitions return home with medals, proving that Belarus is an intellectual country and that our education system is at a worthy level,” Andrei Ivanets emphasized.
To ensure that gifted students enter colleges and universities, the country has created a system of admission without exams. For example, winners of the national Olympiad can enroll without entrance exams. Winners of international Olympiads receive even greater benefits. “This is a very serious incentive for our youth. We are constantly expanding the list of competitions and international Olympiads available for participation. This year, for the first time, our school students will go to the World Robotics Championship in China, as well as the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence. Students are now preparing intensively. In addition, for the fourth year in a row, our young people will take part in the international unmanned aerial vehicle tournament. And this is not only about piloting, but primarily about creating and designing UAVs, programming them, and controlling them. A team of three young people goes through the entire chain: from building a drone to programming it and completing the course. This greatly interests and motivates young people,” the minister explained.
Alongside special awards and the Grand Prix, the president’s scholarships are also very important. “Nearly 200 students were recognized by the president’s decree with these scholarships. And this is not only additional financial support, but also a very significant image and prestige factor, because every young person understands that the president has noticed them, and that means a great deal,” Andrei Ivanets concluded.
The minister noted that the requirements for laureates of the president’s special fund and special awards are very high. “Support for gifted youth from the president is a crucial stimulus encouraging smart young people to pursue science, and it also motivates them to study excellently. First of all, we are talking about winners of international competitions and Olympiads. The requirements here are very strict: at least 10 countries must participate in the international competition, and to form the national team, students must pass a multi-stage national selection, starting from their educational institution, then the regional level, then the national competition,” Andrei Ivanets explained.
The requirements for recipients of the special award are also very strict. As a rule, these are winners of national competitions who have proven themselves to be the best of the best. “We support school students, winners of subject Olympiads, as well as university students who win international and national Olympiads among students. A system of continuity between school and university has been built. The training of such students takes place at the National Children’s Technopark,” the minister added.
The past few years have shown high effectiveness of Belarusian school students at international Olympiads. “We set an ambitious goal that 100% of students who travel to international competitions return home with medals, proving that Belarus is an intellectual country and that our education system is at a worthy level,” Andrei Ivanets emphasized.
To ensure that gifted students enter colleges and universities, the country has created a system of admission without exams. For example, winners of the national Olympiad can enroll without entrance exams. Winners of international Olympiads receive even greater benefits. “This is a very serious incentive for our youth. We are constantly expanding the list of competitions and international Olympiads available for participation. This year, for the first time, our school students will go to the World Robotics Championship in China, as well as the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence. Students are now preparing intensively. In addition, for the fourth year in a row, our young people will take part in the international unmanned aerial vehicle tournament. And this is not only about piloting, but primarily about creating and designing UAVs, programming them, and controlling them. A team of three young people goes through the entire chain: from building a drone to programming it and completing the course. This greatly interests and motivates young people,” the minister explained.
Alongside special awards and the Grand Prix, the president’s scholarships are also very important. “Nearly 200 students were recognized by the president’s decree with these scholarships. And this is not only additional financial support, but also a very significant image and prestige factor, because every young person understands that the president has noticed them, and that means a great deal,” Andrei Ivanets concluded.