Vitaliy Velykanov, rector of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy:

– Based on the findings of the recent seminar on implementing modern approaches to regional development using the example of Shklovsky District, he would like to share key thoughts regarding the preparation of personnel for our country's agro-industrial complex. Belarus is consistently strengthening its human capital potential by creating a reliable system of education, retraining, and professional development. Our common task is the formation of highly qualified specialists capable of solving both current and future development tasks of the regions and the entire country.

This is particularly important for the agro-industrial complex, which is the foundation of our economy, providing a significant share of GDP and exports. Today the agricultural sector is experiencing a real technological revolution. The rapid development of agrotechnologies, integration of digital solutions, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics – all this is forming a new reality.

Under these conditions, as an agricultural university, we see the following priorities in personnel preparation:

1. Shifting the focus to high-productivity jobs: traditional education is giving way to preparing specialists ready to work on modern, high-tech equipment in conditions of digitalization and automation.
2. Formation of a new model of agricultural education: our system must be flexible and adaptive, responding to the challenges of scientific and technological progress. The concept of "lifelong learning" and the development of new educational trajectories are becoming fundamental.
3. Preparation of innovators: we must prepare not just executors, but specialists capable of confidently implementing new technologies, mastering them, and, most importantly, contributing to the creation of future innovations.
4. Strengthening the practical component: at present, in the curriculum for agricultural specialties, it already accounts for about 70%. Throughout the entire period of study, the share of all types of practice amounts to more than 30 academic weeks, including over 20 weeks of production practice, which ensures students' participation in all stages of the technological process of production of various types of agricultural products.

Close interaction with real production: attracting leading specialists from the industry, workers of scientific-research institutes, and representatives of state bodies into the educational process, coursework and diploma design, as well as into the work of state examination committees – the guarantee of the relevance and quality of our training.

In conclusion, I want to emphasize: the future of the Belarusian village – on highly qualified, technologically skilled, and innovatively thinking specialists. Our academy is ready and will actively work on ensuring that the agricultural sector has such personnel capable of bringing our agricultural sector to a new, even higher level of development.