page_title: Francisk Skorina Gomel State University
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Francisk Skorina Gomel State University / History
caption_attribution_description: Русский: 2 корпус ГГУ
context_page_description: Francisk Skorina Gomel State University is one of the universities of Republic of Belarus. It is situated in Gomel, Belarus. It was opened in 1930.
context_section_description: Francisk Skorina Gomel State University was founded on the basis of Gomel Pedagogical Institute, first opened to the public on 8 November 1930. At first, the course of training lasted two years. Later it was prolonged to four years. There were only three faculties: the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology Faculty and Literature and Language Faculty which provided instruction to students. The Teachers' Institute functioned alongside. Throughout its short history from 1930 up to 1939 it was headed by directors: I. F. Ermakov; A. O. Stashevskiy; A. P. Elman; S. Y. Lebedev, M. F. Lozben; M. F. Alekseichik; S. F. Azhgirey and N. M. Ivashenko. In 1939 the name of the Institute was changed to Valery Chkalov Gomel Pedagogical Institute.
  During the Great Patriotic War many members of the teaching staff and students joined the Red Army and the Institute was evacuated to Kirov region (the Russian Federation). On 26 November 1943 Gomel was liberated and V. P. Chkalov Gomel Pedagogical Institute restarted its functioning. During this period the main directions of the faculties' scientific research were determined. The first issue of "Scientific Notes" was published in 1954. In 1956 the course of study at the Institute was changed to five years.
  In 1958 Primary School Faculty was formed at the Institute and was followed by Engineering-pedagogical Faculty (in 1959) whose name was changed three times (Industrial-pedagogical, General Technical Disciplines and Handicraft, General Technical Disciplines and Physics). During its last two years, V. P. Chkalov Gomel Pedagogical Institute trained secondary school teachers at five departments (Physics and Mathematics, Philological, Chemical-biological, General Technical disciplines and Physics, Physical Education). In autumn 1961 postgraduate courses were added. In 1968 the Institute began its involvement in fulfilling state order research works (the first research work performed was "The Study of characteristics and Properties of Polymeric Coatings by Optical and Spectral Methods").  By 1968 V. P. Chkalov Gomel Pedagogical Institute had trained 12.5 thousand specialists.
  In 1968 the decision was made to found Gomel State University on the basis of the Pedagogical Institute. Order № 130  issued by the Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education on 31 March 1969  read: "Gomel State University is to be opened on the basis of V. P. Chkalov Gomel Pedagogical Institute on 1 May 1969. The University is to consist of History and Philology Faculty, Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty, Physics Faculty, Biology and Soil Faculty, Geological Faculty, the Faculty of Economy and the Faculty of Physical Education". V. A. Belyi, the famous scientist, was appointed the first rector. In 1969/1970 academic year the University enrolled 4 429 students, including 2349 studying at the full-time department and 2 080 studying by correspondence. The number of the first University graduates was 913.
  In 1973 the famous scientist, academician and participant of the Great Patriotic War, B. V. Bokut was appointed the second rector. During the years of his administration the academician B.V. Bokut created a Scientific School of Optics, known far beyond the borders of the Republic. High proficiency, experience of the professorial-teaching staff was successfully used in many countries such as Algeria, Vietnam, Cuba, Kenya, Mongolia, Sudan and others, which the Soviet Union assisted in training specialists in various branches of knowledge. In the 1980s the efforts to improve the teaching and educational process at the University were intensified. Close links with industrial enterprises and research institutes were established at that time. In the late 1970s and in the first half of 1980s for the first time in the Republic Gomel State University began to create branches of its departments. Scientists of the Research Institute  held classes in specializations, supervised work practices, course projects, diploma theses and organized counseling for post-graduate students.
  In 1988 the Council of Ministers of 
caption: building 2 - Faculty of History, Law and Mathematics
exif: {}