The socio-economic development of the region, proposals for the implementation of student initiatives, and the upcoming Presidential election of the Republic of Belarus. These topics, among others, were discussed at a meeting in an open dialogue format with the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, at VSU named after P. Masherov.
Before the dialogue began, university students presented their projects developed over the year. One of them was the social project "Vitebsk without Borders," aimed at assisting foreign students studying at VSU from over 20 countries worldwide. The project includes excursions around Vitebsk in several languages, including English, Chinese, German, and French. The developers are confident that this will help foreigners better integrate into society and enhance their educational experience.
Alexander Subbotin supported the initiative and pledged to assist in its implementation at the regional level. He also suggested considering the creation of projects dedicated to urban legends and local landmarks.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee emphasized the importance of intergenerational communication and maintaining mutual respect. He stressed that the dialogue platform serves to support this process and to discuss current issues, such as the electoral campaign and regional development.
The University Rector, Valentina Bogatyreva, highlighted the significance of youth involvement in public life. She noted that 2025 will be a momentous year for Belarus, as the Presidential election will take place then.
The first question from a young VSU employee concerned the engagement of youth in the electoral campaign. Alexander Subbotin responded that it is crucial today to support the political and social activity of citizens.
– It is necessary to organize various events, ranging from business games to events like the "Unity Marathon." This will help attract people and foster an active society, – he noted.
Also at the meeting, one of the students inquired about the qualities necessary for a successful career in management. The head of the region advised careful consideration of this choice, as managerial work demands experience, significant effort, and dedication.
– It is a path full of challenges and not always rewarding. If you decide to become a manager, it is important to cultivate diligence, hard work, and perseverance, – he added.
Furthermore, students inquired about Aleksandr Subbotin’s hobbies, particularly his involvement in wrestling and boxing. He frankly shared that he chose these sports to learn how to defend himself and his loved ones.
– In my youth, I believed that a boy should be able to stand up for himself, his family, his girlfriend, – he noted, adding that it is now more difficult for him to switch to other sports, but the choice made during his student years has stayed with him for life.
For almost two hours, the Head of the region engaged in an active dialogue with the students, openly answering their questions and discussing key topics – official information channels as sources of reliable information, the most significant achievements of the Vitebsk region that he considers important for the region, and much more.