In his welcoming address, Rector Prof. Sergei Ignatov stressed: “Our University is special: everyone who is working here is united by common value – democracy. From the first day of its existence, EHU has been promoting the development of civil society in Belarus and in the region. If you enter the auditorium of EHU, you will see the future free democratic Belarus”.
On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, the Counsellor Darius Vitkauskas (Eastern Neighbourhood Policy Department) congratulated EHU freshmen and faculty members: “Dear students! Some day, when you rise to the top of your achievements, look back to this day and remember the sense of solidarity and hospitality with which you were received at the University and think about how you can personally contribute to the development of the new future of your homeland”.
In addition, the Executive Director of the Belarusian Council for Culture Aliaksandr Chakhouski addressed the students with a congratulatory speech, stressing the paramount importance of education and culture in the development of future Belarus: “Culture is a nation, and art is a support and engine of change for freedom and democracy. New Belarus is our joint art project!”
At the end of the Ceremony, EHU Professor Emeritus Ryhor Miniankou said: “Students, you are the main characters in the play called EHU. We hope that you will become active creators of the history of the University”.
The Ceremony continued with the cutting of the cake and the communication of the participants in a relaxed atmosphere.
Before the Ceremony, the Rector prof. Sergei Ignatov held a discussion “EHU for Belarusian youth, education and civil society” with the Ambassadors and Сonsuls of the countries of Europe and North America, partners of the University, during which the participants of the event discussed the main tasks and challenges facing the University in the near future.
In 2021, 276 freshman students of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate study programs were enrolled in EHU. The absolute majority of them are citizens and permanent residents of Belarus. In AY 2021/22 there is a total of 811 students at EHU.
