The history of student research activity at Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University has long-standing traditions.

The first student scientific groups were established at university departments in 1935. During the meetings of these groups, students presented the results of their research, and patients were examined to deepen knowledge in chosen specialties and gain practical skills in clinical examination. The first scientific supervisor of the student society was Professor M.A. Lyass.

After the Great Patriotic War, the Institute resumed its work in Vitebsk in 1946. This was a challenging time: the city was destroyed, there was an acute shortage of facilities, and departments were scattered across several buildings in different parts of the city.

Despite these difficulties, 1947 became the year of the revival of student scientific creativity, and December 20 is considered the official date of the founding of the Student Scientific Society.

Unlike the pre-war period of student research activities, a more advanced student organization was created—one with its own Charter, membership cards, administrative documentation, and a governing body — the Council of the Student Scientific Society.

The first Chairman of the Council was G.M. Bogdanovich, a 4th-year student. The scientific supervisor of the Society became Professor P.N. Maslov.

In the following years, the position of Chairman of the Student Scientific Society was held by:
D. Malakov (1949), V. Nikitin (1950), T. Aksenova (1952), D. Suprun (1953), I. Yupatov (1956), Yu. Rodionov (1960), Ya. Kozlov (1961), B. Sadikov (1962), M. Kanash (1963), V. Vazilo (1966), V. Batov (1967), N. Lud (1969), V. Kozhar (1975), V. Semenov (1980), A. Karpitsky (1987), G. Sapko (1989), I. Borisov (1994), M. Konarev (1997), T. Olenskaya (1998), I. Shturich (2000), I. Samsonova (2001).

From 1947 to 1997, the scientific supervisors of the Society were Professors:
L.N. Goldman (1949), K.N. Markuze (1950), I.B. Oleshkevich (1953), N.V. Vinogradov (1961), L.I. Bogdanovich (1963).

Since 1975, the scientific supervisor has been Professor N.G. Lud.

On April 24, 1948, the first student scientific conference of the Institute was held, preceded by extensive organizational work. Each year, new enthusiasts joined the Society, the number of research groups increased, and the quality of student work improved.

In 1964, students A. Chirkin, B. Sadikov, G. Turkevich, and I. Galendo were awarded diplomas by the Ministry of Higher Education of the Republic for successful scientific research, and the Institute ranked third among universities of Belarus for the performance of the Student Scientific Society.

In 1968, at the First All-Union Student Scientific Conference with presentations in foreign languages held in Karaganda, members of VSMU student research groups — A. Baryshnikov, A. Lipets, N. Lud, and G. Khristolyubova — were awarded certificates by the Ministry of Health of the USSR.

In 1959, the Faculty of Pharmacy was opened at the institute, which made it possible to expand the research activities of the Student Scientific Society. From the same year, the institute began participating in annual inter-republic conferences of medical universities of the Baltic States and Belarus, and in 1966 and 1973 similar conferences were hosted within the walls of our university.

In 1970, a Student Design Bureau was established at the institute, which operated until 1993. The SDB of the institute was one of the first created in medical universities of the USSR. Devices designed by students were presented at the USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements. Student A. Litvyakov was awarded the Gold Medal of the USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements in 1974 for the “Interference-Resistant Rheograph”. Student M. Divakov received a diploma from the All-Union Exhibition NTTM-76 for a device for determining fatigue. Student S. Zhavoronok received the Laureate title of the All-Union Exhibition NTTM-74 for the “Refractometer” and in 1976 was awarded a prize of the Central Committee of the Leninist Communist Youth Union of Belarus. In 1979, based on the results of the All-Union Public Review of University Design Bureaus, the SDB of VSMU was awarded the Third Prize.

Student scientific circles are an integral part of the scientific, educational, and methodological work of the departments. In these circles, students broaden their knowledge in the theory and practice of medicine and pharmacy and develop an interest in scientific research. The Student Scientific Society is a constant source of highly qualified academic and teaching staff for the university.

In 1983, a student scientific circle on research work of students (SRWS) was organized under the Council of the Student Scientific Society. Subsequently, the expansion of research topics made it possible to establish on its basis a student research laboratory on the problems of higher medical education (headed by Associate Professor E. N. Medvedsky).

Since 1999, VSMU has hosted the International Student Conferences “Student Medical Science of the 21st Century”, which are attended by representatives of medical universities of the Republic of Belarus as well as from near- and far-abroad countries.

The success of student science largely depends on the fact that it is connected with the scientific issues of the departments and responds to the needs of practical healthcare. Many students work in the same circle for 3–5 years and during this time conduct significant scientific research, which often later results in the defense of candidate and doctoral dissertations.

At different times, the work of the Student Scientific Society at VSMU was joined by Professors M. G. Sachek, V. M. Semenov, L. Ya. Suprun, S. N. Zanko, D. K. Novikov, S. I. Pimanov, V. I. Morkhat, A. M. Litvyakov, V. N. Shilenok, V. S. Glushanko, A. A. Kirpichenko, A. P. Solodkov, I. I. Generalov, N. Yu. Konevalova, V. I. Shebeko, V. I. Novikova, V. I. Kozlovsky, V. P. Adaskevich, O. D. Myadelets, A. K. Usovich, and many others who later made a significant contribution to the development of the university and Belarusian science.

In recent years, VSMU has achieved great success. The university holds leading positions in the Republic of Belarus in organizing student research activities. However, we do not intend to stop there. At present, the work of the Student Scientific Society is reaching a qualitatively new level.

On April 21–22, 2005, the 57th Final Scientific and Practical Conference of VSMU students and young scientists took place. At the plenary session, a new Council of the Student Scientific Society was elected, chaired by fifth-year student V. A. Kosinets. The Council included junior and senior students of the General Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry faculties, and for the first time, the Faculty of Training Foreign Citizens. On April 23, 2005, an order was issued by the university “On improving the work of the Student Scientific Society”. The Charter of the Student Scientific Society and the structure of the Council were approved.

Looking into the future, we are full of optimism, new plans, and creative ideas.