Vilnius University inviting Belarusians to study for free and obtain scholarships

In response to the political developments in Belarus and in a bid to support the democratic ambitions of its citizens, the Vilnius University (VU) established the ‘GDL Scholarship’ for would-be students from this neighbouring country last year. The scholarships are available to the most gifted of the candidates who are enrolling in the Vilnius University and are designed to cover their costs of living during their first year at the University. This year, the scholarships will be available to young people from both Belarus and Ukraine.

The scope of scholarship recipients is broader this year

Would-be students from these two countries are offered a choice of both bachelor’s and master’s programs. A portion of Belarusian students’ costs to study will be covered by the University, while top students will also be paid a monthly scholarship in the amount of EUR 200-300 during their first year at the University. Last year, nearly fifty Belarusians received these scholarships. This year, the University expects to grant the same amount of GDL Scholarships, and applications to get them can be filed by enrolling nationals from said states by July 15.

Vladislav Sokolovski of Belarus, who came to study at the Faculty of Philology of the Vilnius University last year, felt the significant differences between the VU and Belarusian educational establishments right away. To begin with, the young man was amazed by the teachers’ attitude towards students. ‘Never before had I met such responsible teachers who would treat every student with respect and listen to their opinions, with no exceptions. You can rarely see it in Belarus.’

Before he came to the VU, another Belarusian national, Herman Saikouski, had studied history at the Polotsk State University until the university’s administration made him sign a request to be removed from the students’ roll. Having been affected by the repressions in Belarus, the young man enrolled in the VU, received the GDL Scholarship and is very happy about the studies and the quality thereof here. He thinks the only downside is the global pandemic that has prevented him from attending classes in person and going to the library, and generally feeling part of the VU community.

‘Instead of words and propaganda, Lithuania and its people have shown what they think about the Belarusians with real work and tangible decisions. That is why I am very grateful to Lithuania and the University,’ says the scholar.

Nearly 100 Belarusian students admitted last year

Nearly five hundred Belarusians showed an interest to study at the Vilnius University last year. Close to 100 students satisfied all of the qualifying requirements and started their studies under the University’s bachelor and master programs, mainly at the faculties of the Business School, Economics and Business Administration, Philology, Kaunas, Mathematics and Informatics.

A year ago, the VU offered senior Belarusian students who had been prosecuted for civil and political reasons or expelled from the country’s universities by the regime an opportunity to study or to continue their studies at the University. As a result, an additional 20 or so Belarusian students were admitted during the spring semester and are now studying in their senior years.

Having established the special ‘Birthday Scholarship’ (which was later renamed the ‘Scholarship of the 450th Anniversary’) two years ago and the ‘GDL Scholarship’ for Belarusians last year, the VU aims to complete its social mission of improving the accessibility university education for everyone. Neither regimes that are trying to suppress democratic processes with repressions, nor the social or financial standing of young people should be an obstacle on the road to university education.

You can find information about the enrollment and The Grand Duchy of Lithuania Scholarship for Belarusian and Ukrainian nationals here.