BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/08/2006

Liberec university offers help to Belarussian students

Liberec, North Bohemia, Aug 10 (CTK) - The Technical University in Liberec is prepared to enroll five Belarussian students who were sacked from universities over their participation in the movement for human rights and democracy, deputy vice-chancellor Oldrich Jirsak told CTK today.

"We owe the civilised world its support. Now it is our turn to help nations that don?t feel free," Jirsak said.

The university can enroll the students for a five-year programme as of the forthcoming semester within a project financially supported by the Foreign Ministry with the sum of 1.89 million crowns.

"BA and MA degree study programmes at all of our six faculties are open to them," project coordinator David Lukas said.

The university itself or the Foreign Ministry must seek for appropriate candidates since there is no NGO in Belarus that could mediate contacts with sacked students, Lukas said.

Moreover, the possibilities of informing about the project are limited as the university must keep security rules in order to protect potential candidates from persecution.

The Belarussian students will get visas for free and the university will cover their transport costs and their health insurance and they will receive a scholarship.

At present, 29 students from the former Soviet Union, especially Ukraine, are studying in Liberec. Recently, contacts with Kazakhstan have been established.

The Czech Republic earmarked 20 million crowns for education programmes for Belarus. It has been offering 10 stipends for Belarussian students every year since 2000.

Source:

http://www.praguemonitor.com/ctk/?story_id=w38683i20060811;story=Liberec-university-offers-help-to-Belarussian-students