Stanislau Shushkevich: EHU turned into commercial institution

The EHU has almost stopped being a Velarusian university.

Today, the European Humanities University has launched a statement emphasizing that the University "has been established and continues its work for the sake of Belarus ".

"Sometimes changes can be painful", the statement says. - But only the EHU's duty remains unchanged: to bring Belarus and Europe closer".

It should be reminded that an American David Polik has taken the position of the EHU rector. It caused mixed reaction in the public. Fifty seven public and cultural figures have recently called to establish the National University in addition to the EHU.

The former Chairman of the Supreme Council of Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich told Radio Racyja, why he had signed the document on the creation of the National University.

- This statement notes the EHU has taken the wrong direction. It actually stopped being a Belarusian, although, in fact, it never was a Belarusian one.

- What do you think about David Polik?

- It is clear he is a professional. I know many American universities and Mr. Polik's CV. He ran small and not much respected institutions. It seems he is not the person of the level we need to run the Belarusian National University. Today, therefore, the EHU is not a Belarusian one. It has become the commercial organization which enjoys the support of sponsors. The last ones think there are martyrs at the University. There are none of them.

- What would you propose?

-We would like to see it a Belarusian one. And we should find a way to make it. Sponsors think they help the Belarusian democratic society, but in fact they support those working at the EHU. They have European wages and minimum of troubles.