Rector of BNTU: A modern specialist should create competitive solutions in the conditions of sanctions

Belarus has outlined its strategic priorities for the next five years after the second session of the 7th All-Belarusian People’s Assembly. The newly approved Socioeconomic Development Program for 2026–2030 focuses on strengthening human capital, building a knowledge-driven economy, and ensuring digital sovereignty. President Alexander Lukashenko led the discussions, setting clear targets for the nation’s future.

The programme aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology by ensuring that 90% of critical sectors use domestically produced software by 2030. This push for self-sufficiency aligns with broader efforts to secure Belarus’s economic and technological independence.

Higher education institutions will play a key role in this transition. Sergei Kharitonchik, Rector of Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU), emphasised that universities must train professionals capable of maintaining the country’s technological security. He noted that modern specialists need to develop competitive solutions despite sanctions and global instability. According to Kharitonchik, Belarus’s sovereignty now depends heavily on its ability to innovate and control its own technological infrastructure. The state expects universities to work closely with industries to meet these demands.

The approved plan sets concrete targets for Belarus’s economic and digital future. By 2030, the country intends to rely almost entirely on homegrown software in vital sectors. The success of this strategy will depend on collaboration between the government, universities, and industries.