Yesterday, on August 4, on the basis of the Polytechnic children's health camp, a meeting was held with Ksenia Yakushenko, Vice Rector for Research at BNTU, as part of the "Step to Success" campaign. The participants of the meeting were the guys who are vacationing in the valley.
During the dialogue, Ksenia Yakushenko told about her path in science, how she grew from a student to a leader, and that behind every discovery there are not only formulas, but also perseverance, self-belief and a willingness to learn from mistakes. The students asked a variety of questions, from everyday to professional, and the vice—rector answered them sincerely, emphasizing that the main thing is not to be afraid to move forward and always keep a keen interest in what you are doing.
— I am engaged in a very important area at BNTU — scientific work. This direction implies the creation of scientific developments, exhibition samples and the development of science at the university. I never thought in my life that I would end up at BNTU. There were humanitarian universities in my history, I thought I would become an actress. By my first education, I am a technology publisher, I was supposed to publish books.
After that, Ksenia Yakushenko said that she graduated from the Belarusian State Technological University with honors, she wanted to work in her specialty, but at that moment there was no opportunity. This is what prompted her to pursue further studies — master's and postgraduate studies. After defending her PhD, Ksenia Valentinovna was invited to work as an assistant at the Belarusian State University of Economics. Over time, she began to climb the career ladder and continued her studies at the BSU doctoral program.
Alexey Danilchenko, the current Dean of the Faculty of Marketing, Management, and Entrepreneurship, became her supervisor. Ksenia Yakushenko became the head of the Marketing department at the faculty.
In the course of her work, she was noticed and invited to the position of Vice-rector for Research.
— What is the difficulty? The fact is that BNTU is a technical university. I'm a girl, an economist, so it's atypical. There are female vice-rectors of science, but, as a rule, in humanitarian universities, and here in the country's leading technical university. It is, of course, a great honor, but also a great responsibility. I've been at this place for three years now.
After that, the students asked questions to the vice-rector. One of the students asked what difficulties were on the way of the vice-rector.
— The difficulties are such that you have to move constantly. You have to go and not stop," said Ksenia Yakushenko.
The children also asked about Ksenia Valentinovna's plans for the future. She noted that at every stage of life it is important to understand where you are going next. After passing through one stage and realizing the direction, a person continues to move until the next one comes. Now she is at the plateau stage, when she wants to benefit the university. She is attached to the BNTU, the team and everyone around her, and feels that she belongs in her place.
Answering a question about the attitude towards her as a female vice-rector, Ksenia Yakushenko said that at that time there were no female deans, and some colleagues were skeptical about the appearance of a girl in the rector's office. However, she was always treated with respect and support within the administration.
Ksenia Yakushenko also answered a number of other questions. She spoke about the importance of trust and mutual understanding in the team, how she finds time to relax, and that deep learning of the material is more important than formal grades. An open conversation allowed the students to see a living person behind the position and gain practical guidance for their own development.
The dialogue was productive: the students got an idea of the real work of the vice-rector and how a career in science is built. Ksenia Yakushenko's personal experience and openness to questions made the conversation meaningful and memorable for the participants.
