Kazakhstan grants for Belarusian students at Nazarbayev University

In Astana Anatoly Rubinov met with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and the speakers of both chambers of the parliament of Kazakhstan. Anatoly Rubinov stressed that the meeting with the Kazakhstan President was lasted for more than hour.

Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that Belarusian citizens can apply for the grants to study at Nazarbayev University. Scholarships and places in dormitories will be available, too. "However, one should not forget that the educational process at the university is in English and entrance exams are carried out by the Englishmen. A completely independent commission," Anatoly Rubinov explained.

Anatoly Rubinov also underlined that the first students were admitted in 2010. The university has adopted the Western education practices. "The major task of this university is to prepare a new elite and improve the level of education," the Chairman of the Council of the Republic said. The work of the university is overseen by the Higher Supervisory Council headed by the President. "The university is given special attention, it also receives special funding," Anatoly Rubinov underscored. Kazinform has learnt from BelTA.

Scientific projects and research of Nazarbayev University have not yet achieved any results but there are interesting projects in several fields. One of them is the joint use of such natural energy sources as wind, sun light and geothermal resources in a single system. Another sphere is the development of vaccines, particularly the one against herpes. Other areas of research involve waste management in mining industry. The university management has been invited to Belarus to discuss particular areas of cooperation.

Anatoly Rubinov added that other cooperation spheres were discussed at the meeting with the Kazakhstan leader. "Nursultan Nazarbayev thinks that a green light should be given to the Eurasian integration because it is project of the future," Anatoly Rubinov noted. Nursultan Nazarbayev also stressed that the introduction of a single currency is not a pressing issue at present but did not rule out its adoption in the future.

Nursultan Nazarbayev said that it had taken quite some time for Europe to adopt the euro currency. During that time they resorted to a temporary currency, which was the European Currency Unit (ECU). At the current stage it is more important to take through the existing agreements and remove all the obstacles that remain for the member states of the Single Economic Space.