On June 1-4, 2019, St. Petersburg State University (Russian Federation) delivered a special training course for the Belarusian national teaching staff and specialists offering WTO-related counselling and training.

“9 educators and specialists representing Minsk and regional universities have upgraded their qualifications within the framework of the project at this stage. This year the activities are focused on the improvement of qualification of regional teaching staff for the creation of the regional pool of WTO experts with the educational and scientific background. Trained experts will consult key stakeholders on the principles of operating within the framework of the country’s membership in the WTO,” noted Maksim Hubski, the manager of the project "Assisting the Government of the Republic of Belarus in Accession to the World Trade Organization through Strengthening National Institutional Capacity and Expertise”.

The participants of the trainings shared their impressions.

Yury Kolesnik, Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies of Sukhoi State Technical University in Gomel, Ph.D., Associate Professor:

“It is very important to get prepared to work in new conditions before our country is accepted to the WTO in order to strengthen the position of Belarus in the world today, making the most of new opportunities. It is necessary to know not only the benefits of membership, but also what problems other countries faced, what mistakes they made. In this regard, studying the experience of the Russian Federation, which has already solved certain problems of operating within the framework of the WTO, is crucial for us. It is good that our country takes some steps to train relevant experts especially from the regions.

I liked the organization of the course at the World Economy Department of St. Petersburg State University. The lecturers were competent in various WTO issues, shared their experience, research results and practical cases.

The training allowed not only improve the qualifications in WTO but also exchange views and establish new contacts with national and Russian counterparts; agree on further training and professional development of Belarusian specialists. I believe that it opened up new opportunities and promising academic partnerships in providing training on WTO issues both in the Republic of Belarus and in the Russian Federation.”

Lada Yazubets, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics of the Grodno State Agrarian University:

“Taking into account that the course was held as an advanced training, it was important to place emphasis on the issues of WTO functioning and development. The course presented Master’s program “International Trade System” as well as tools for developing courses on WTO rules and regulations using business games. Particular attention was paid to detailed practical aspects of protection of the domestic market and the impact of the accession to the WTO on key macroeconomic indicators.

Improving the quality of training of agricultural specialists - ensuring the country's food security - becomes more and more acute. Gained theoretical knowledge and practical competencies will get application in the curricula and research papers of our students.

Special thanks shall be given to UNDP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Faculty of Economics of St. Petersburg State University and the team of the project team for their valuable contribution to the creation of WTO pool of experts in Belarus.”

Tatiana Koren, Deputy Director of the Science and Research of the Mogilev branch of the BIP-Institute of Law, PhD, Associate Professor:

“Advanced training in economic and legal issues of the WTO was aimed at obtaining applicable for Belarus competences. For me personally, the course was a kind of master class in both content and form. The course was conducted at the highest level by the leading experts of the World Economy Department of St. Petersburg State University (SPSU) - the authors of scientific monographs on WTO membership. The experience of the project “WTO Department at St. Petersburg State University” was of special interest.

I would like to note that the effectiveness of the advanced training program was achieved by means of new tools, presentations and a variety of educational technologies. I thank my colleagues from St. Petersburg State University for high technical level of the course, their professionalism and scientific approach.

I am confident that Mogilev branch of the BIP-Institute of Law will become an educational platform for students and managers in terms of gaining knowledge about the WTO as an elective discipline and within the framework of additional education.”

Maria Timoshenko, Head of the World and National Economy Department of the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives (Gomel), Ph.D., Associate Professor:

“There is a need to develop students and undergraduates’ competencies on the regulation of the international trade system in the Republic of Belarus at the stage of agreeing the terms of accession to the World Trade Organization.

Participation of the representatives of the World and National Economy Department of the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives in the training course, implemented by the most reputable teachers of St. Petersburg State University, was an excellent opportunity to develop professionalism on teaching academic subjects related to economic and legal issues of the WTO.

I would like to express my gratitude to the United Nations Development Program and St. Petersburg State University for the opportunity to discuss practical aspects of the country's accession to the WTO with the leading scientists and experts; exchange experience on training highly qualified and competent personnel for the economy of the Republic of Belarus.”

A special training course for the national teaching staff and specialists offering WTO-related counselling and training was held within the framework of the fifth phase of the project "Assisting the Government of the Republic of Belarus in Accession to the World Trade Organization through Strengthening National Institutional Capacity and Expertise”. The project is funded by the Government of the Russian Federation and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.