BELARUS STATE
ECONOMIC UNIVERSITY

21.01.2026

"Students' participation in research projects and competitions is beneficial, even if they don't become scientists": a comprehensive interview with BSEU Vice-Rector for Research Alexey Bykov

On the eve of Belarusian Science Day, BSEU Vice-Rector for Research Alexey Bykov discussed the research that currently brings the university its reputation and resources, how young teams are growing, and the challenges faced in turning ideas into practical solutions.

— What makes BSEU's research school unique today? What research areas are the university's priority?

— BSEU currently has ten registered research and teaching schools. We don't have a single "research school": many renowned scientists head their own schools, where they prepare candidate and doctoral dissertations and conduct research (including under state research programs - SRSPs). These schools vary in subject matter and methods; the emergence of new areas is also possible.

To prevent the structure of scientific schools from expanding uncontrollably, a clear procedure for establishing new schools is necessary: ​​the decision on this is made by the university council. The unique features of each school are reflected in individual descriptions on the website; currently, most schools are focused on economic sciences. Their success should be assessed based on a combination of results—publications, dissertation defenses, interactions with the real sector, etc.

For example, Professor D.A. Pankov's school specializes in accounting and analysis of economic activity: last year, candidate and doctoral dissertations were defended within this research area, and a large number of scientific papers were published. The new chair of the Council of Young Scientists, A.L. Ivanovskaya, also represents the Faculty of Accounting and Economics, further emphasizing the activity of this area. At the same time, other scientific and pedagogical schools at BSEU are also unique, demonstrating high scientific achievements and having connections with the real sector.

I would also like to note that the five-year cycle of state scientific research programs (SPNI) has been completed. The acceptance and evaluation of completed research projects is currently underway, and new projects for the next five-year period are being developed. It is estimated that over ten new research projects will be implemented in economics, as well as several in law, history, and other fields. The new programs are expected to be implemented in the 2026-2030 planning period. BGEU is the lead organization for the "Economics" subprogram, jointly with the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

— How closely are the university's research projects aligned with the needs of the real economy and government agencies? Can you provide examples of the most significant implementations over the past year?

— I would like to highlight one of the research projects completed this year under the supervision of Natalia Alekseyevna Lesnevskaya, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics. The study focused on calculating budgetary funding for Belarusian higher education institutions on a per-student basis (per capita funding). The work was completed by a team of specialists from various universities at the request of the Ministry of Education. The study was successfully completed and defended based on real data provided by the Ministry of Education.

Our university conducted similar research approximately 13-15 years ago, but the conditions and objectives were different then, so the project was led by a different team. I highlight this project specifically because it was completed for the needs of the Ministry of Education and yielded concrete practical results that could significantly impact university funding in the future. By completing this research, BSEU confirmed its high status as the country's leading research center in economics.

There were also other projects, both contractual and publicly funded.

— BSEU is actively developing the digital economy. What breakthrough research is being conducted in the fields of Big Data, artificial intelligence, or e-commerce?

— The Faculty of Digital Economics has an artificial intelligence laboratory, headed by Professor Andrei Maksimovich Sedun. In 2025, the laboratory implemented student startup projects that included software prototypes and enterprise structures for organizing their production, primarily web applications and e-services. Students presented these projects at a science festival held by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus; the popular science event "Scientific Youth Day"; the "Support for Youth Initiatives" competition held by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, Belarusbank, and Consult; and Entrepreneurship Week in November 2025.

The university has planned a series of events for Belarusian Science Day, which will take place from January 19 to 23. These include a scientific seminar, "Science in the Era of Artificial Intelligence," and a roundtable discussion, "Input-Output," dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Wassily Leontief's birth. These discussions will focus on data analysis, artificial intelligence, and macroeconomic forecasting. Both events are being organized by the Faculty of Digital Economics with the participation of leading experts from our university and other organizations. Anyone can join via a link, which will also be posted on the website.

— How does the university encourage students to pursue research "not for grades," but for tangible results? What support programs (grants, scholarships) are available for young scientists?

— Our country has established a state system for supporting talented young scientists, and all of BSEU's work in this area is carried out in accordance with and coordinated with the national system. Any young scientist, including faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates, with the appropriate qualifications, may be nominated for participation in annual competitions.

Firstly, there are scholarships from the President of the Republic of Belarus for young scientists, postgraduate students, and undergraduates. Candidates are nominated at the university level and then selected at subsequent levels. There is also a special fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the social support of gifted students. Grants from the Ministry of Education, grants from the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research (BRFFR), various competitions for experienced and young scientists, and international project competitions are also available. Grants from the President of the Republic of Belarus in science, education, and youth policy are also worth mentioning. Snezhana Trishina, an assistant professor in the Marketing Department, was awarded a grant from the President of the Republic of Belarus in 2026 in the field of international politics. BGEU faculty regularly participate in these competitions and grant processes, both at the national level and through special funds.

Furthermore, the university hosts competitions and events within the university. In April, the Decade of Student Science takes place, featuring a range of events, including international scientific and practical conferences, various competitions, and roundtable discussions. Partners and customer enterprises are invited and eagerly participate in these events. In May, the International Scientific and Practical Conference "The Economy of Belarus: Growth, Innovation, Security" is held. This conference is very popular not only among our university's faculty and graduate students, but also among participants from other countries. This academic year, several university conferences were held in December at the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology, the University of Economics and Finance, and the Faculty of Medical and Biological Culture, including those dedicated to cooperation with China.

As for student motivation, for many, the primary goal remains obtaining a degree and finding employment. Nevertheless, there are plenty of competitions, conferences, olympiads, and roundtable discussions; the main thing is the desire to participate.

— What conditions are created at the university for conducting in-depth economic research (database access, software, laboratories)?

— Expensive equipment is usually not required for economic research. Computers, specialized data processing programs, and basic software skills are sufficient—we have computer labs and internet access.
However, in economic research, skills and software are not the only important factors; up-to-date source data is essential. Not all companies and enterprises are willing to share the most up-to-date and detailed information, and macroeconomic statistics are sometimes limited. Therefore, independent "research for research's sake" often encounters obstacles due to the lack of necessary source data.

The most reliable way to conduct high-quality research is to participate in projects that serve the needs of a real client. In the context of state programmatic research and other projects funded by government agencies or commercial organizations, the client is interested in the results and usually provides access to the necessary information. Where there is demand and funding, the motivation and resources for full-fledged research emerge. Based on the above, participation in funded research projects not only allows for income but also creates the preconditions for obtaining accurate results thanks to high-quality source data. If a student or postgraduate student is included in a research team, they address their specific research problems as part of a larger scientific problem posed by the research supervisor and agreed upon with the client. It is preferable for any research project, including a dissertation, to be part of a larger research project implemented to solve real government or business problems, rather than an isolated project in which only the individual is interested.

Independence and creative initiative are important, but working within a project makes the results practical and useful for the real sector. BSEU has formed research teams for projects within the framework of the State Program for Scientific Research and other projects. There is a Scientific Research Center where undergraduate and graduate students can seek consultations and the opportunity to participate in ongoing projects. This is a place where new ideas and concepts are in demand.

— Today, it is often said that science is, first and foremost, technology and engineering. What role do you believe economics plays in ensuring the sovereignty and sustainable development of modern Belarus?

— Economics truly plays a key role in a country's sovereignty. In low-income countries with significant inequality between rich and poor, and a lack of economic growth, social and political problems often arise. A healthy economy is the foundation of a stable society and a sustainable political situation.

At the same time, the real economy is shaped not only by economics. Its quality is influenced by a country's economic system, government institutions, and the business community. Economics contributes to development, but it is only part of the larger practical picture—much depends on the work of government agencies and the private sector.

Our specialists are trained primarily for the real sector, government agencies, and businesses; only some students remain at the university and pursue academic careers. Students' participation in research projects and competitions is beneficial, even if they do not become scientists: they gain experience in presentations, argumentation, teamwork and project work, interaction with clients, and fundraising—skills in demand in any field.

Finally, a balance of skills is essential: both quantitative (mathematical and statistical) competencies and humanities knowledge—law, psychology, sociology, and marketing—are essential. In addition to technical skills, organizational, managerial, and leadership qualities are valuable, helping young people succeed as business and public administration leaders. As John Maynard Keynes noted, a true economist must combine the abilities of a mathematician, historian, philosopher, and statesman, while economics itself must be intuitive, accessible to the general public, and serve a moral purpose, not solely personal enrichment.

— How do you envision economics at BSEU in 5-10 years? What new specialties or research areas might emerge in the near future?

— Our world is changing rapidly, and predicting the situation 10 years ahead is quite difficult. The emergence of promising areas of economic research is influenced by new technological solutions, changes in the international geopolitical situation, demographics, and other factors. Several areas of economic research are rapidly gaining popularity and demand.

Sustainable Development Economics and ESG Economics: In terms of overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Belarus outperforms the United States, China, and Russia, ranking 32nd in the global SDR 2025 ranking thanks to its relatively equitable income distribution, high-quality healthcare and education, biodiversity conservation, and addressing other environmental issues. BGEU, having debuted in the 2025 international UI GreenMetric ranking, became the best university in Belarus according to this ranking, which measures universities' commitment to the environmental agenda and principles of the "green economy." Our university is implementing and planning a number of research projects within the framework of sustainable development theory and ESG economics, and regularly hosts thematic events, such as "Green Fest." Issues of ecology, demography, and inequality remain relevant globally, and BSEU's research in these areas is world-class, making it a promising area.

Other relevant research areas include: behavioral economics based on data analysis—the Department of Economic Theory operates a behavioral economics research center; the economics of marketplaces and digital trading platforms—research in this area is being conducted at the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology and other faculties; and improving the financial system, including the introduction of central bank digital currencies—this area is being developed at the Faculty of Business and Financial Sciences.

BSEU doctoral students make a significant contribution to the development of economic science: some doctoral dissertations open new research areas, laying the groundwork for subsequent research. For example, the doctoral dissertation of S.A. Kristinevich's work developed institutional economic theory through the description of institutional interventions and involuntary exchange, incorporating sanctions and other non-market methods of competition and appropriation of goods, widely used in recent years in international economic relations, into the field of economic research. A.V. Gotovsky's development of the theory of productivism substantiates the possibility of economic growth through the transfer of production resources to industries with higher labor productivity. Advances in artificial intelligence and their potential impact on science are currently being widely discussed.