VITEBSK, 15 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian State Agricultural Academy (BSAA) is opening an affiliate at the Agrarian College run by the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine. The college is located in Luzhesno, Vitebsk District. The relevant decision was made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Head of the Education Directorate of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Ivan Shchurok said at a session of the directorate on 15 February, BelTA has learnt. In the 2011-2012 academic year, the BSAA will train about 50 agronomists in Luzhesno. Those will be extra-mural intensive courses for graduates of specialized secondary schools. The opening of the affiliate in Luzhesno was necessitated by the deficit of specialists in the agricultural industry of Vitebsk Oblast. The intensification of agricultural production, technical and technological modernization, a transition to science-intensive and resource-saving technologies require new skills and knowledge. According to the agriculture and food committee of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee, the local agricultural enterprises need 26 agronomists, including 14 chief agronomists. Overall, only 83% of heads of agricultural enterprises of the oblast have a university degree.

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