Ihor Tytovych, vice-rector for scientific and methodological work of the Republican Institute of Higher Education, expressed the opinion that universities in Belarus are not competitive enough.

Therefore, there are plans to reduce their number by more than half. Ihor Tytovych noted that Belarusian higher education institutions should compete not only within Belarus among themselves, they should be able to compete with world universities as well.

Therefore, either the institutions will have to raise their level, or unite with other universities. Although the vice-rector emphasized that unification is a costly procedure. True, he immediately noted that it also gives certain advantages. It is easier for a powerful, large university to concentrate its potential and resources, including financial ones. In addition, it is easier for large institutions to develop breakthrough scientific directions and create research and production centers.

According to the vice-rector, the concept of optimizing the structure of Belarusian universities will be ready by the end of this year. And in the next five years, their merger should take place.