January 15-21, 2012 Vice-rector for Academic and Methodical Work Lyudmila Misnikova and Head of International Relations Department Tatsiana Valynets visited the University of Seville (Spain) and InHolland University (Netherlands) within the TEMPUS project on Internationalization in Central Asia and Eastern Neighborhood Area (ICAEN). They studied with the activity of IRD, Library, Department for Orientation of International Students, Technical Department of Secretariat of the Philological Faculty, Research Department, etc.
They took part in the following trainings:
- Management of international contacts and cooperation agreements;
- Management of international projects;
- Funding of international projects;
- Role of libraries in internationalization.
They also studied the experience of implementing strategic international contacts at the University of InHolland (Netherlands).
The experience of foreign universities shows that internationalization of universities is carried out in the following areas:
- Drawing up a strategic plan of internationalization.
- Mobility of teachers and students.
- Export of educational services.
- Participation of the university in international programs and projects.
- Providing an internationalization component in the educational programs of universities.
December 12-13, 2011 Vice-rector for Academic and Methodical Work Lyudmila Misnikova took part in the annual Tempus Representatives' Meeting for the projects selected within the IV Call for Proposals, organized by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission. The Meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium. The following practical issues of Tempus projects implementation were discussed: managing a project cycle, grant agreement, responsibility of parties in the process of project implementation.
December 5, 2011 a return visit of the foreign delegation from Geteborg (Sweden) took place under the international agreement. The Swedish representatives gave lectures on History of Swedish Law and European law to students and professors of BTEU. Besides, the delegation visited the regional and economic courts of Gomel, the Department of Internal Affairs of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee and the Notarial Office No.2 of the Gomel Soviet District.
The delegation consisted of A.A.Navumchyk (Rector of Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives), L.P.Dovzhik (Principal specialist of the Department for Foreign Economic Activity of Belcoopsoyuz), O.V.Nesteruk (Chairman of the Brest Oblpotrebsoyuz), V.A.Smolsky (Chairman of the Gomel Oblpotrebsoyuz), S.M.Shurkalo (Chairman of the Mogilev Oblpotrebsoyuz).
During the meeting, the annual reports prepared by Katie Bardsvik, the Chairwoman of the Committee for Audit and Control Risks, and Paul Hansen, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, and a report on new policy priorities of the ICA, prepared by the new employee of the Office for Global Socio-political Activities Betsy Driben were presented. The reports on the financial activities of the ICA during 2011 and a draft budget for 2012 were approved. Charles Gould, the Director-General of ICA, presented a report on the activities of the Global Office.
During the General Conference of the International Community of Consumer Cooperatives the heads of regional departments presented the reports on the activities of consumer cooperatives in their regions. Activities planned for 2012 were discussed (2012 was declared the International Year of Cooperatives by the UNO).
On November 18, the meeting of the General Assembly of ICA was opened by the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon.
At the end of the session, President of ICA Pauline Green thanked the delegates for their participation and invited them to take part in the Extraordinary General Assembly meeting to be held in Manchester (UK) in November 2012.
November 5, 2011 the first stage of the International Belarusian-Swedish Project “The legal system - a comparison between Sweden and Belarus” was successfully completed. The university staff took a visit to Goteborg (Sweden) in the framework of the first stage. During the trip, the employees learnt the peculiarities of the legal system of Sweden, visited a number of administrative and judicial institutions. Besides, the staff visited the Department of Law of the University of Goteborg and Yrkeshögskolan Gotebörg, where they were able to examine the structure of the university and the system of teaching law courses at the above-mentioned educational institutions.
October 15, 2011 the Project on Internationalization in Central Asia and the Eastern Neighboring Area (ICAEN) within TEMPUS IV Program was launched.
On November 2, 2011, there was held a videoconference with the participation of the beneficiary institutions. It was chaired by the coordinating institution – the University of Seville (Spain). From the Belarusian side, a virtual meeting was attended by two universities - Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives and Belarusian State Economic University. The participants discussed the planned activities and agreed upon the timing of the Start-up Seminar, lists of participants to be involved in the project in accordance with the Work Plan, preparation of marketing materials for the project. Besides, the practical issues of visits to the EU countries were discussed. In addition, the Videoconference resulted in the appointment of a participant of the Tempus Representatives’ Meeting that will be held in Brussels on 12-13 December 2011. The outcomes of the Videoconference and photos are presented on the project website http://tempusicaen.ning.com
September 3-11, 2011 the Vice-rector for Academic and Methodical Work Misnikova Lyudmila and 5 students from BTEU took part in BRIDGE International Summer University, which was held in Vadul lui Vodă (Moldova). The Summer University gathered talented and promising students from Belarus, Moldova, Russia and the Ukraine. It served as a forum for examining and discussing openly the key issues and challenges related to economic integration of the EU and the partner countries, the peculiarities of legal regulation of foreign trade. The guidelines of further cooperation in the field of higher education were discussed during ISU. In addition, the students could participate in the simulation of "negotiations" between the European Union and the Republic of Belarus. Together with BSEU students our guys prepared a cultural program, including a presentation of Belarus, accompanied by folk songs and dances. At the closing of the Summer University, all participants received certificates.
August 17, 2011 - the top-management of the University
met with the Rector of the International University of Fundamental Studies, President of the Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council, President of Ceylon Company Mr. Shanti Jayasekara (Sri Lanka). Our University received a unique proposal to establish a Centre of Educational Programmes with the assistance of the International University of Fundamental Studies. This will contribute both to the enhancement of international cooperation and to student exchange between BTEU and leading universities around the world.
July 2011 - the Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture of the European Commission announced the results of the 4th Call for proposals within TEMPUS IV. Among those selected are three projects with the participation of Belarusian universities, including Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives. Our project on Internationalisation in Central Asia and the Eastern Neighborhood Area has obtained financing and the start of its implementation is planned for October 2011. The project implementation will last 3 years. It is planned to modernize the international relations department, improve the organisation of its activity, purchase equipment, create BTEU library’s gateway that will provide free access to the research papers. The project stipulates staff’s and students’ mobility to the partner universities. The project partners are the universities in Tajikistan, Georgia and Belarus. The project coordinator is the University of Seville (Spain). The total project budget is 968,355 Euro.
June 21, 2011 - a cooperation agreement between Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives and Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics was concluded. The agreement was signed by BTEU Rector, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Ala A. Navumchyk and KNTEU Rector, member of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the Ukraine, Honoured Scientist of the Ukraine Anatoly A. Mazaraki. From the Ukrainian side, the ceremony of signing was attended by the KNTEU Vice-rector for Scientific and Pedagogical work and International Relations Valery N. Sai. Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives was represented by the First Vice-rector Vladimir F. Byk, Vice-rector for Academic and Methodical Work Lyudmila V. Misnikova, Dean of the Faculty of Business Education Nikolai V. Maksimenko, Head of the International Relations Department Tatsiana P. Valynets. Morever. Morever, by the resolution of the Council of the University the Rector of KNTEU Mazaraki A.A. was awarded the title of honorary professor of BTEU for his contribution to scientific manpower’s training and research in trade.
May 19-20, 2011 - International Workshop on Developing the Civil Society and Ensuring the Rights of Ethnic and Religious Cultures in the Republic of Belarus in the framework of BRIDGE Project "Fostering mutual understanding and cooperation of EU with Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine". The workshop was attended by the coordinator of the Project BRIDGE Prof. Silvo Devetak from Slovenia, Rector of BTEU, Member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Prof. Ala Navumchyk, Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in the Republic of Belarus Ms Sholeh Safavi, foreign experts, staff of the local authorities, leaders of national diasporas (Jewish, Polish), representatives of religious confessions (Muslim, Baptist, Judaic), and leading experts from the HEI’s of Gomel. A wide range of issues were considered during the Workshop, among which: the EU’s and Belarus’ policy in the sphere of ethnic and religious relations, ensuring employment and social protection of forced migrants and their social protection, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees’ activity aimed at protection of ethnic minorities’ rights, constitutional, legal and political aspects of minorities’ protection in the EU, ethnic structure of the population of the Republic of Belarus and its dynamics in the light of international relations , the legal status of ethnic and religious minorities in the Republic of Belarus, mental grounds of the East Slavic peoples’ unity as a factor of integration processes, public policy towards religious organizations in the Republic of Belarus. The workshop gave a basis for the exchange of opinions on the WS topics during the round table.
April 13, 2011 - a tour to the Vetka Museum of Folk Art was organized for the foreign students of BTEU. The Department of Foreign Languages regularly holds such activities aimed at promoting cross-cultural communication. Students became familiarized with the unique history of the Vetka Region, saw a unique collection of icons, visited the permanent exhibition of Neglyubskie towels and incunabula, participated in the conversation with the museum staff and told them about their national traditions, rites and religious peculiarities.
March 23, 2011 - a seminar organized by the professors of the Department of Economics together with The Friedrich Ebert Foundation was held at the University. Raising of the investment attractiveness of Belarus’ economy: outcomes, problems and prospects was the theme of the seminar. It was attended by the University professors, led by the Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, the head of the research topic Interaction between internal and external markets in the economy of Belarus Vladislav Konovalov, BTEU students, and the head of The Friedrich Ebert Foundation in the Republic of Belarus Alexander Petrachkov, . During the seminar, a discussion has arisen on the most interesting questions. During the discussion, each participant could freely express his own opinion and defend his point of view.
January 25 - February 7, 2011 - the students of the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives Skurko Aleksandra and Shumak Victoria took part in the Winter School of Student Activists-2011, which was held 100 km from the city of Kursk at the Palace and Park Ensemble Maryino. The students from various regions of Russia, Belarus, Abkhazia and Transdniestria attended the event, which was organized by the Russian State Trade-Economic University. The program included both communication with peers and participation in various activities such as rope courses, trainings ("Personal Advancement", "Professional Advancement", "Dreams Come True!"), debates, excursions, and an innovative auction. The participants were offered a rich entertainment program including a tea ceremony, different performances, karaoke shows, and a real Imperial Ball. On February 4, the Rector of RGTEU S.N. Baburin and the Vice-rector P.A. Shevtsov met with the students. The closing of the Winter School was held on an optimistic note. In conclusion the students and the Director of the School of Student Activists S.S. Ermakov performed the School’s motto-dance “Who if not us?”. And it couldn’t do without the Snow Leopard, the symbol of the Winter School of Student Activists, who was dancing and posing for pictures.
November 26-27, 2010 - International Expert Meeting on developing cross-border cooperation/neighbourhood programmes between the EU and Eastern European Partnership countries and Russia took place in Chisinau , the Republic of Moldova in the framework of BRIDGE project. The seminar was attended by the coordinator of the Project BRIDGE Prof. Silvo Devetak from Slovenia, Veaceslav Gututui (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Constructions and Regional Development of Moldova), Dirk Schuebel (Head of the EU Delegation in the Republic of Moldova), and the representaives from partner countries. The staff of the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives took part in this event as well. Sviatlana Lebedzeva made a contribution on cross-border cooperation experiences in the framework of the EU enlargement. Albert Haurykau and Ina Yafimenka spoke on the political and legal aspects of the inter-regional and cross-border cooperation. Lyudmila Misnikova was present at the Meeting as a participant and took part in the discussion. The IEM resulted in the adoption of concluding recommendations.
October 6-9, 2010 - Rector of BTEU Ala Navumchyk and Vice-rector for Study and Methodical Work Lyudmila Misnikova took part in XII Session of the Council of Rectors of higher educational institutions of consumer cooperatives of CIS countries that took place at the Lvov Academy of Commerce.
September 24, 2010 - the Rector of the University Mrs. Ala Navumchyk had a meeting with a representative of the USAID Regional Mission for the Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, Program Manager Mr. John Riordan and the Head of the New Eurasia Foundation Ms. Zhanna Philippova. The topic for discussion was the prospects of further cooperation in the programs of economic and business education in Belarus, as well as the experience of implementing distance learning technologies in the educational process by the teachers who had been trained at the School of Master Classes and the School of Cases within the programs of the New Eurasia Foundation.
May 14-15, 2010 - International Workshop for civil society representatives and civil servants of the Republic of Belarus in the framework of BRIDGE Project "Fostering mutual understanding and cooperation of EU with Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine." The representatives of Belarus and the European Union discussed their relations at the round table. The seminar was attended by the coordinator of the Project BRIDGE Prof. Silvo Devetak from Slovenia, Rector of BTEU, Member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Ala Navumchyk, Deputy Director for Europe, Head of Pan-European Co-operation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Serpikov. The workshop resulted in the development of recommendations for the implementation of possible projects in the areas of Belarus-EU cooperation within the Programme of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership. Besides, the participants considered the plans for further development of the Project BRIDGE. The event was extensively media covered: http://www.gomel-region.by/ru/bottom_menu/news/economics?ns_id=16288, http://belapan.com/archive/2010/05/14/eu_384971/, http://www.gorod.gomel.by/news/10-05-14/Сотрудничество_на_международном_семинаре.aspx
March 30, 2010 - visit of the representative of the University of Turin , Prof. Giuseppe Dutto pursuing paragraph 8 of the working plan "Dissemination".
March 24, 2010 - International Workshop "NEW TRENDS IN UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT FOR THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES" in the framework of TEMPUS Project «Upgrading the Management at the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives to EU Quality standards".
February 15 - March 20, 2010 - visit of the BTEU staff in the framework of TEMPUS Project III to the School of Management and the University of Turin in order to study the management of international activities, structure and functioning of International Relations Departments, analyze admission and enrolling procedures, study Curricula and functioning of Dean's Offices, adopt the practices of innovative technologies.
December 1-4, 2009 - visit of the Spanish delegation in the framework of TEMPUS Project III pursuing paragraph 8 of the working plan "Dissemination" - the presentation "Internationalisation of Universities" made by the representatives of the University of Seville.
October 18-31, 2009 - professional retraining for the Head of the Centre of Information Technologies at School of Management (Turin, Italy).
September 27 - October 1, 2009 - XI Session of the Council of Rectors of higher educational institutions of consumer cooperatives of CIS countries.
October 18-25, 2009 - visit of vice-rector for Study and Methodical Work and dean of Economics and Management Faculty to the University of Seville for coordinating further activity and experience exchange in the field of IT.
October 1-2, 2009 - International Workshop in the framework of BRIDGE Project "Improving understanding and interaction between the EU and Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine."
September 28 - October 3, 2009 - visit of representatives of the University of Seville to disseminate the joint international project TEMPUS III, as well as to conduct seminars on quality management and automation of faculties management in universities.
August 30 - September 4, 2009 -visit of representatives of the University of Turin to BTEU to update the Web-site of the University and conduct seminars on strategic and financial planning at the University.
July 4-7, 2009 - visit of BTEU rector and vice-rector for Study and Methodical Work to the University of Seville for participation in the Coordinating Council on the project TEMPUS III.
March 23-30, 2009 - visit of BTEU staff to the University of Seville in order to study the organization of the Department of International Relations, Department of Labor, Library, university departments.
March 10-12, 2009 - visit of representatives of the University of Seville (Spain) in the framework of TEMPUS III – to BTEU in accordance with paragraph 5 of the Work Plan of TEMPUS "exchange program", "mutual learning" - a presentation on cooperation programs, student management and occupational safety BTEU.
23-25 February 2009 - visit of the Spanish delegation in the framework of TEMPUS Project III pursuing paragraph 3 of the working plan "Defining Strategic Management Plan", paragraph 6, "Updating the Web-page" and 7 "Equipment", sub-paragraph 3.1, "Strategies and options for structural and administrative changes "- to learn the structural organization of the Department of International Relations at BTEU.
Participation of the university representatives in the international project BRIDGE “Fostering mutual understanding and co-operation of the EU with Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine”, in connection with obtaining a grant for its realization.
16-18 December 2008 -
Visit of the TEMPUS III participants from the Spanish side to BTEU pursuing the paragraph 2 of the Project plan "Training of instructors for the quality assurance process at EU level (according to EFQM)” - development of training materials and selection of courses, in accordance with subparagraph 2.1 of the Project Plan – Development of materials for training the instructors"- the study of the Belarusian reality.
10-13 December 2008 – First Vice-Recor Byk V.F. participated in the meeting of the League of National Unions of Organizations of Consumer Cooperatives of the CIS countries and became familiar with the system of consumer cooperatives in Moldova. (Chisinau, Moldova).
In the process of realization of the IIIrd Belarusian-Swedish project, the students and teachers from BTEU delivered speeches and presentations on the following topics: "Additional vocational of adults", "Position of the Republic of Belarus in the world," “the Belarusian model of the labor market in the context of a socially oriented market economy”. During the visit, they listened to the lectures delivered by Swedish teachers, studied the experience in the field of human resource management in Swedish companies (recruitment agency «Manpower», port-harbor of Geteborg), as well as of hotel business (hotel «Gothia»).
20 - 27 October 2008 – vice-rector for Study and Methodical work Misnikova L.V. visited the University of Seville in the framework of the program TEMPUS III «Upgrading the Management at the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives to EU Quality standards" in the University of Seville (Spain).
During the visit to the University of Seville, meetings with the Head of the Department of International Relations, library, Department of Human Resources, etc. were organized. The administrative structure of the university was examined as well. A decision on concluding a treaty between the universities was made.
10-18 May 2008 - participation of BTEU teachers and students in educational programs "The economic system of Germany (Berlin, Germany), "The economic system of France in the EU "(Paris, France), conducted by the Center of International Relations" of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.
During the program, BTEU teachers and students:
- Attended the High School of Agribusiness (g.Lomzha, Poland);
- Participated in an educational seminar entitled "The Features of the economic and banking system of Germany", which was a meeting-discussion with the Deputies of the Bundestag to consider the matters of economic policy in Germany;
- Got acquainted with the students’ life and the peculiarities of organization of educational process at Sorbonne (Paris, France).
21-26 April 2008 -
teachers and students of the KY-Akademien vid Studium (Sweden) took part in the I phase of III
rd Belarusian-Swedish project "Development of the field of human resources in the Republic of Belarus and Sweden in order to improve business efficiency", funded by the program VISBY. Visit to JSC "Comintern" for the analysis of personnel management at the enterprises of the Republic of Belarus; participation in the abroad seminar at heat electropower station on the topic of "Exploring business processes and personnel management system at small and medium-sized businesse in Gomel.
April 22-26, 2008 - Organization of International Spring Forum "Innovation technologies in business education with the participation of representatives of the CIS countries and from abroad. Holding of Workshop "Improving the educational process in the conditions of transition to European educational standards". Honored guests were invited - executive director of the European Retail Academy Bernd Hallier (Germany), Deputy Director of the Center of International Relations at the Public College of Baltimore County G.Bekford-Barclay (USA), professor of the Academy of Professional Education (Geteborg) K. Rundkrants (Sweden) etc. In the framework of the forum, Doctor of Sociology and Economics Jürgen Georg Hyuniken participated in the seminar "Experience of macroeconomic cooperation between Belarus and Germany", German jurist Guido Fuchs gave a lecture in English on the topic "Business Etiquette".