The history of the Faculty of Career Guidance and pre-University Training

On October 16, 2012, the order of the Rector of the University No. 466 'On the opening of the Faculty of Career Guidance and Pre-University Training of the educational institution 'Belarusian State Medical University'' was issued. The Faculty was created to provide targeted assistance in the formation of a balanced position in the informed choice of medical specialties, to ensure the educational process for the successful passing of entrance tests by domestic and foreign applicants and admission to the University.

The Faculty of Career Guidance and Pre-University Training began its work on October 23, 2012. It includes the Preparatory Department, the Department of Belarusian and Russian Languages, the Department of Biology, and the Department of General Chemistry.

From October 2012 to April 2016, the Dean of the Faculty was Associate Professor of the 2nd Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, PhD in Medicine, Associate Professor Butvilovsky Alexander Valeryevich.

From April 2016 to July 2020 the Faculty was headed by Associate Professor of the Department of Radiation Medicine and Ecology PhD in Medicine Associate Professor Avetisov Aram Rubenovich.

Since July 20, 2020, the Dean of the Faculty of Career Guidance and Pre-university Training is Associate Professor of the Department of Philosophy and Political Science, PhD in history Aĺchovik Mikalaj Kanstancinavič (Alkhovik Nikolay Konstantinovich).

On November 12, 2012, the Council of the Faculty of Career Guidance and Pre-University Training was established by the Order No. 517 'for the purpose of collective resolution of the main issues of the Faculty's activities'.

The functional duties of the Deputy Dean for academic work among foreign students are performed by the senior lecturer of the Department of Belarusian and Russian Languages, Lyudmila Alexandrovna Merenkova.

The deputy deans for upbringing work among foreign students were Rimik Olga Vladimirovna, Alyokhina Larisa Evgenyevna, and since 2020 – Mitereva Galina Vladimirovna.

Work with foreign citizens is conducted by specialists of the Faculty of Career Guidance and Pre-University Training Islami Elena Sergeevna, Zenevich Svetlana Sergeevna.

Senior lecturer of the Department of Belarusian and Russian Languages Ivashen Elena Ivanovna is the Faculty Council secretary, as well as the Deputy Dean for Career Guidance and Pre-University Training.

The preparatory department has organized a system of high-quality Pre-University Training of students and working youth from among Belarusian citizens in the subjects of entrance tests for applicants intending to enter medical universities, biological faculties of other higher educational institutions, as well as institutions that provide secondary special education.

The Faculty of Career Guidance and Pre-University Training trains students from among foreign citizens, whose training is aimed at a comprehensive studying of the subjects necessary for admission to the Medical Faculty of Foreign Students of BSMU, to medical universities, as well as to the biological faculties of other universities, academies and colleges (initially, this task was assigned to the Medical Faculty of Foreign Students).

 Citizens of foreign countries receive education in two forms of education: full-time training and distance learning. The educational process is carried out in the following areas:

• comprehensive study of subjects required for admission to the first year of applicants who have completed secondary education abroad,
• study of the Russian language (for persons with higher medical education abroad and intending to enter the master's program, clinical residency and postgraduate studies).

“Russian as a native language” and “Russian as a Foreign Language” programs are offered at the preparatory department for foreign citizens. Since September 2014, on the initiative of the Dean A.V. Butvilovsky, teachers of the Departments of Medical and Biological Physics, General Chemistry, Biology Mikhail Vsevolodovich Goltsev, Vladislav Viktorovich Khrustalev, Evgeny Anatolyevich Chernous the training program 'English as a native language' was introduced in order to prepare for admission to the University of applicants with initially good level of knowledge of English for subsequent training in English. Foreign students of the faculty study the following subjects: 'Russian language', 'Chemistry', 'Biology', 'Physics and Mathematics', 'Introduction to medical Physics', as well as 'English' (according to the program 'English as a native language').

A separate category of foreign students includes persons who take preparatory courses to eliminate discrepancies in the curricula of the specialty 'Medical Science' (BSMU) and related specialties with a bachelor's degree from a foreign state (Israel).

In order to organize the educational process in groups of foreign citizens, curators are appointed. Foreign students take an active part in the International Scientific and Practical Conference of Students and Young Scientists 'Actual problems of modern medicine and Pharmacy', sports and intellectual competitions, international Olympiads in foreign languages, charity, information and educational events, republican subbotniks, landscaping of the surrounding territory, educational excursions in Minsk and the republic, book exhibitions, meetings with ambassadors, presentations of national cuisine, public holidays of their countries and other educational events.

Since 2017, the University has hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference 'Actual problems of Pre-university training'. It is attended by employees of structural divisions and departments of BSMU, representatives of leading Belarusian universities, as well as delegates from near and far abroad, who share their experience in preparing young people for admission to higher education institutions.

Among the priority tasks of the Faculty should also be called the organization and coordination of career guidance, the study and dissemination of the experience of career guidance, the development of 'circle' activities as a form of additional education of schoolchildren, the promotion of the system of higher medical education.