Professor Rybinski said: “I want to express my gratitude to the Governing Board for entrusting me with the leadership of the university for the next five years. I’m excited to collaborate with the entire EHU community – students, faculty, staff, donors, and partners – during the upcoming transitional phase. By working together, I believe we can address the immediate challenges facing the university and solidify EHU’s status as a top institution for scholarship and civic involvement in Belarus and the wider region.”
Professor Rybinski is an experienced lecturer at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and has written more than 90 scholarly articles in economics, hundreds of newspaper articles, and several books. In recent years, his research has focused on using artificial intelligence in fields such as economics, management, and higher education. In addition to his academic background, Professor Rybinski has extensive public policy and private sector experience, including service as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Poland, Partner at Ernst & Young, and Chief Economist at ING Barings and other banks. Professor Rybinski speaks fluent English, Russian, and Polish.
Noting that Professor Rybinski has worked successfully across disciplines, sectors, and national borders, Mr. Kubilius stated, “We are extraordinarily fortunate to have a scholar and administrator of Professor Rybinski’s caliber to lead EHU at a time of particular challenge and accelerated change for the university and the region. We warmly welcome Professor Rybinski into the EHU community and wish him – and EHU – great success over the next five years.”
Dr. Liudmila Ulyashina, Associate Professor of Law at EHU, Head of the Senate, and a member of the Search Committee, expressed well-grounded expectations that “Professor Rybinski will advance EHU’s unique role in supporting the academic aspirations and professional development of young Belarusians and in facilitating cooperation with Belarusian civil society and professionals, intercultural dialogue and inclusion of Belarus in the European political and academic community.”
Upon assuming the duties of Rector, Professor Rybinski will focus on renewing EHU’s accreditation, continuing the rapid growth in student enrollment, and enhancing EHU’s research capabilities. Horton Beebe-Center, Chair of EHU’s General Assembly of Part-Owners, said, “We are confident that under Professor Rybinski’s leadership EHU will become even more effective in providing Belarusians and young people throughout the region with a rigorous education based on shared values, strengthening their capacity for critical thinking, creative production, and independent action.”
Professor Rybinski will succeed Rector Sergei Ignatov, who joined EHU in 2018 and will complete his five-year term when Professor Rybinski becomes Rector in April. During Rector Ignatov’s tenure, EHU renewed its Lithuanian academic accreditation, stabilized its finances, and responded to the unprecedented upheaval of a war in the region. “Rector Ignatov ably steered EHU through a difficult period and completes his service with the grateful appreciation of the Governing Board and the General Assembly of Part-Owners,” said Mr. Beebe-Center.
