The event “EHU Alumni for Belarus” was opened with a welcoming address by the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Belarus Andrius Pulokas. “The European Humanities University carries out an important mission for Belarus, stimulating the development of critical thinking among the young Belarusians. Lithuania supported the University and will continue to provide the necessary assistance. We are pleased to note that such a special University for Belarus has become stable and prepared a dozen generations of free-thinking, talented and independent people,” — the Ambassador stressed. The EHU Rector Prof. Sergei Ignatov noted that the majority of the graduates return to their homeland and make a significant contribution to the development of the scientific, business and public sectors. In addition, the Rector expressed his gratitude to the Republic of Lithuania for the active assistance in the development of EHU.
Within the event, several sessions were held in the format of panel discussions. Tsimafei Savitski (Class 2013), who holds the position of a lawyer in the investment fund “Haxus”, and co-founder of the company in the field of active entertainment “Nook Solutions” Hauryil Smaharzheuski (Class 2013) took part in the section “Business and Entrepreneurship in Belarus”. In addition, alumnus of the Classs 2010 Alexander Khanin, presented his own franchise “Mozgoboinya”, operating in more than 200 cities in 17 countries. Graduates stressed that the EHU allowed them to significantly develop their thinking and communication skills, as well as the ability to adapt to external conditions and make creative decisions, which allows them to successfully develop personal projects.
In the panel “Publications of EHU Alumni in Belarus” designer and writer Ksenia Shtalenkova (Class 2014) presented her own books “Backside of the Chandelier” and “Bloody Ducats Affair.” Alumni of the Class 2009 also told about their own books. A member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, historian Mikola Volkau presented the work “Artillery of the Nesvizh Castle”. The program automation engineer and resource manager at EPAM, Tsimafei Avilin told the guests about his book “Ethnoastronomy: Between Heaven and Earth”.
At the closing session “Promoting the development of civil society and NGOs” alumna of the Class 2008, the president of the Belarusian PEN Center Tatsiana Niadbajeva shared her experience of developing personal professional skills in EHU and told about her current position. Aliaksandra Lazarenka (Class 2016) who holds the position of the creative director of the art space “Kovcheg” in Gomel, presented a series of projects for children and young people held with the support of the EHU. A graduate of 2012, an analyst, an economist, one of the initiators of the projects “Koshturada.by”, “OpenTenders.by”, “Petitions.by” Uladzimir Kavalkin presented his own projects aimed at strengthening democratic processes and civil participation in Belarus. Also, a graduate of 2010, Chairman of the Executive Bureau of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus Ilya Zaranok shared his successes in the sphere of development and support of non-state organizations. Maksimas Milta (Class 2013) moderated discussions and presentations.
