This overview presents the key developments in education and science in February 2026, divided into two sections — developments within Belarus and those beyond its borders.
Inside the country, the focus remained on the expansion of educational infrastructure and scientific projects amid increasing state control, growing ideological pressure, and persistent systemic challenges in research funding.
Abroad, efforts continued to build a Belarusian academic space in exile, alongside international research and education initiatives, as well as the search for mechanisms to support and integrate Belarusian scholars and students into the European education system.
The overview was prepared by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich.
DEVELOPMENTS IN BELARUS
EDUCATION AND CAREER EXHIBITION
The specialized exhibition “Education and Career”, aimed at school students, prospective applicants, university students, and parents, took place in Minsk on February 12–15, 2026. Around 150 institutions of secondary specialized, vocational, and higher education were represented. Over three days, the exhibition attracted approximately 18,000 visitors. In addition to Belarusian institutions, around ten Russian universities — mostly regional — participated, as well as the controversial “soft power” agency Rossotrudnichestvo.
PROTEIN BIOLOGY LABORATORY OPENING
On February 13, 2026, the Laboratory of Structural and Functional Protein Biology was opened at Belarusian State University. The event was attended by a significant number of high-ranking officials. It was emphasized that the laboratory has no equivalent in the post-Soviet space. The laboratory was established as part of the construction of a new building for the Faculty of Biology, with an estimated cost of around €24 million.
One of its practical applications is so-called personalized medicine, where research enables the selection of treatment based on an individual patient’s protein profile, identifying therapies and medications tailored to specific cases. There is speculation that potential beneficiaries may include senior officials, particularly Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
MEETING ON THE DRAFT DECREE “ON IMPROVING SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY”
On February 9, 2026, a meeting was held to discuss the draft decree “On Improving Scientific Activity”, with the participation of Aliaksandr Lukashenka. The discussion focused on funding mechanisms for the research sector. Lukashenka reinforced that scientists’ remuneration should depend solely on successful results.
National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Presidium Chair Uladzimir Karanik announced that funding for the institution would double over the next five years. However, given that direct state funding for science currently amounts to only about €120 million, such an increase is unlikely to resolve the sector’s chronic structural problems.
NEW AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM IN EDUCATION
On February 13, 2026, the Council of Ministers of Belarus adopted a resolution on state automated information systems in the education sector. The new system is expected to create a unified information space, automate interactions between state bodies, institutions, and other stakeholders, and potentially reduce reporting burdens for teachers and lecturers. At the same time, it may further expand administrative control over the education system.
PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE’S OVERSIGHT OF PATRIOTIC EDUCATION
In February, the Minsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported a number of violations in the organization of civic and patriotic education in schools. These included incomplete implementation of planned activities, insufficient visits by students to memorial sites, and shortcomings in extracurricular clubs and military-patriotic initiatives. Such intervention by law enforcement bodies in the educational process reflects a broader trend toward tightening state control over both students and educators.
OFF-SITE COURT HEARING AT A UNIVERSITY
At Hrodna State Agrarian University, an off-site court hearing was held in the presence of students, examining a case of alleged draft evasion. The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to one and a half years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility. In recent years, such off-site court sessions in higher and secondary specialized institutions have become a common practice used to intimidate students. In many cases, defendants are charged under politically motivated articles.
DEVELOPMENTS ABROAD
SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA’S MEETING WITH EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVES
On February 23, 2026, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Warsaw with representatives of Belarusian educational and research initiatives. Pavel Barkouski and Yury Hubarevich of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus attended the meeting. Participants also included representatives of the Free Belarus University, the Belarusian School in Warsaw, the Institute of Public History, and Personnel Reserve, as well as several other educational institutions.
Key topics included financial support for independent Belarusian education and science, recognition of professional qualifications, researchers’ institutional affiliation for participation in international projects, integration into Poland’s education system, and the adaptation of children in exile, among others.
PUBLIC LECTURES BY THE A. VALOVICH BELARUSIAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
The Belarusian Research University named after Astafei Valovich continues to expand its public presence. As part of a series of open lectures, the following events took place:
- Dr. Viktar Shadurski: “Belarus’ European Choice: Challenges and Prospects” (February 26, 2026, Warsaw);
- PhD Andrei Laurukhin: “Critical Thinking: Cognitive, Emotional, and Communicative Dimensions” (February 13, 2026, Vilnius);
- researcher Yauhen Baryshnikau: “The Dudа: A Brief History of a National Symbol” (February 26, 2026, Wrocław).
ROUNDTABLE: “BELARUSIAN RESEARCHERS AND BELARUSIAN STUDIES IN POLAND”
On February 12, 2026, an online roundtable titled “Belarusian Researchers and Belarusian Studies in Poland: Opportunities and Challenges” was held. It was co-organized by the Forum for Belarusian Historical Research of the German Association for East European Studies, the Belarusian Research University named after Astafei Valovich, and the Belarusian Association of Education and Science.
Participants noted that since 2020, more than 50 historians have relocated to Poland, some of whom have managed to remain in the profession. However, many early-career researchers face limited access to grants, difficulties in defending master’s and doctoral theses, and barriers to continuing academic careers. Proposals to establish master’s programs in Belarusian and to allow thesis defenses on Belarus-related topics in the Belarusian language are being discussed, but no systemic solutions have yet been identified.
The roundtable was held within the framework of the European Union’s EU4Belarus: Support to Advanced Learning and Training (SALT II) initiative.
CONFERENCE: “A SCIENCE-BASED PATH FOR BELARUS’ INTEGRATION INTO THE EU”
A conference titled “A Science-Based Path for Belarus’ Integration into the EU” took place in Vilnius on February 26, 2026. It presented modeling results of various scenarios for Belarus’ economic development following potential EU accession. The general conclusion was that Belarus’s economy has the capacity to overcome the inevitable challenges associated with accession. While different sectors would be affected in different ways, researchers expect sustainable growth after a transition period. At the same time, maintaining the current economic model would likely lead to stagnation and increasing lag behind neighboring countries.
The conference was organized by the FREE Network (Forum for Research in Eastern Europe) with the support of Sweden and the European Union.
ONLINE SEMINAR: “CONFLICTING HISTORICAL NARRATIVES IN BELARUS AND THE EU”
An online seminar titled “Conflicting Historical Narratives in Belarus and the EU” was held on February 24, 2026. Belarusian historians working across Europe discussed complex issues in contemporary historiography, including interpretations of the legacy of Francysk Skaryna beyond Belarus, and differing approaches to the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in Eastern Europe.
The seminar was part of a project examining the state of Belarusian historical scholarship in exile, implemented with financial support from the EU4Belarus: Support to Advanced Learning and Training (SALT II) program funded by the European Union.
“NATIONAL CULTURE DAYS” AT EUROPEAN HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY
A new project, “National Culture Days”, has been launched at European Humanities University. The initiative aims to strengthen ties between the academic community and the diplomatic corps accredited in Lithuania, while offering students opportunities to explore the culture, history, and academic potential of different countries. As part of the program, participating countries will host lectures, creative workshops, exhibitions, and panel discussions involving diplomats and cultural figures.