On November 13, the Belarusian-Russian Forum "Union State: Inclusive Education. Centers and Technoparks" kicked off at Pskov State University. Students and faculty of Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov, led by Rector Valentina Bogatyreva, are participating in the forum’s events. The forum was initiated by Vitebsk State University and Pskov State University with the direct involvement and comprehensive support of the Standing Committee of the Union State, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

The forum aims to summarize and systematize the innovative experience of educational institutions within the Union State in creating and ensuring inclusive educational spaces, with a focus on import substitution of inclusive tools and technologies, as well as addressing post-traumatic stress disorder. This topic is being elevated to the level of higher education and lifelong adult learning for the first time.

Valentina Bogatyreva, Rector of Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov, stated:

"In the field of inclusive education, our university and Pskov State University have been collaborating for four years. We began by aligning our trajectories, exchanging experiences, and developing projects. Today, all regions of Belarus are represented at the forum, alongside active participation from Russian universities across various regions. We are particularly pleased to have the support of our governors—Mikhail Yuryevich Vedernikov and Alexander Mikhailovich Subbotin."

Over four years, the partner universities have implemented around a hundred joint initiatives, including:

• A joint master’s program in "Psychology" under the experimental project "Integration of Educational Space Through Networked Collaboration";
• A funded research project, "Expert System for Medical Decision Support in Cervical Cancer Diagnosis Using Neural Networks";
• A networked research laboratory, the "Russian-Belarusian Center for Comprehensive Study of Regional Security Issues";
• A networked educational-research laboratory, the "Russian-Belarusian Center for World War II Studies";
• Quarterly publication of the Russian-Belarusian academic journal Metamorphoses of History;
• Regular summer internships and faculty exchanges under the "Education and Youth Policy" program.

In 2023, collaboration expanded into the "Belarusian-Russian University Consortium 'TOGETHER'," aimed at forming a unified scientific-educational space and advancing youth policy through enhanced inter-university networking.

Notably, 2022 saw the proposal to establish a "Russian-Belarusian Technopark of Border Regions: Center for Inclusive Education" under a Union State project. The scientific community has since embraced a fresh perspective on "inclusion" as an internationally recognized tool for realizing the rights of individuals with special needs, encompassing everything from health conditions to research, creative, and athletic potential.

Bogatyreva emphasized: "I am confident this forum will not only mark the first step toward creating the 'Russian-Belarusian Technopark of Border Regions: Center for Inclusive Education' but also affirm the readiness of Vitebsk State University and Pskov State University to implement this ambitious initiative. Its strategic goal is to establish an innovative, inclusive scientific-technical complex in the border regions of Belarus (Vitebsk Oblast) and Russia (Pskov Oblast), providing higher and supplementary education for individuals with special needs while training highly qualified specialists in inclusive education. We are already prepared to develop and implement innovative methodological, resource, and technical infrastructures to ensure equal educational access, support vulnerable groups, and enhance regional human potential."

Over three days, scholars from Belarus and Russia will exchange best practices in inclusive education, while students—through the "Social Initiatives Accelerator"—will engage with experts, learn project ideation, and present their developed social projects.

Photo credit: PskovSU Press Service