LOOKING AHEAD
There are people who by their actions, deeds, achievements make a significant contribution to the development of society, and who are able to influence others through their own ideas and intelligence. These are true leaders. And this is more inspiring and motivating if you meet such people in your close environment.
One of these influential leaders is Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich, Professor, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Head of the Department for Parasitology and Invasive Animal Diseases, who worked for many years as the Rector of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine.
Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich was born on January 2, 1947 in the village of Osobovichi of the Pinsk district in the Brest region. The beginning of his life was quite usual for a guy from the countryside. Born into a peasant’s family he inherited a love for Belarusian nature and work on the land. But most of all the young man liked to read. Anton Yatusevich graduated with honors from the Pinsk Veterinary College (1967) and the Vitebsk Veterinary Institute (1972), worked as a veterinary assistant, zootechnician on the farms of the Brest region, then worked as the Chief Veterinary Surgeon of the collective farm named after the Red Army in the Vitebsk region. And it became obvious to him that goals can only be effectively achieved when practice is closely linked to science.
In 1973, A. I. Yatusevich joined the faculty staff of the Vitebsk Veterinary Institute and passed his way as an assistant – associate Professor – Vice-rector for Academic Affairs – Head of the Department for Parasitology and the Rector of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine (1998-2016).
“Science is everything for me,” Professor Yatusevich admits, and the evidence for this can be easily traced through many years of his fruitful work. Anton Ivanovich made his first steps in science at the technical school, then, as a student of the Vitebsk veterinary Institute, participated in student scientific societies, showing great interest in Parasitology.
With gratitude and warmth, the Professor recalls the names of his teachers and scientific leaders, now he himself is constantly opening new pages in the history of veterinary medicine. His research for the PhD thesis “Parasitocenosis of coccidia of the genus Eimeria and Esherichia coli bacteria in the body of chickens” (1979), confirmed by a large number of tests, scientific findings, was continued in the form of his doctoral thesis “Eimerioses and Isosporosis of Pigs” (1989) and finally led to the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Sciences. In 1991, he was awarded the academic title of Professor.
Scientific interests of Professor A. I. Yatusevich are closely connected with the development of theoretical and practical foundation of animal protection from parasitic diseases in relation to the natural and climatic conditions of the Republic of Belarus.
As a scientist and practitioner, A. I. Yatusevich made a great contribution to the development of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry in his country. A lot of time and effort spent on developing new and improving existing methods of controlling parasitic diseases of animals has led to the creation of many new effective drugs, veterinary tools and devices, methods and ways that improve standards in the field of veterinary medicine, animal health and well-being.
The school of protozoologists made by the followers of Professor A. I. Yatusevich, has been widely recognized in Belarusian science. As a person who can look ahead and make important decisions, Anton Ivanovich can often be seen with colleagues and students to whom he provides scientific support, assistance, and recommendations.
Scientific heritage of Professor Yatusevich covers more than 900 works, including 59 monographs, reference books, textbooks. He has registered 42 patents and copyright certificates for inventions, more than 150 developed antiparasitic drugs. Under his leadership, more than 25 master’s and doctoral theses were prepared and defended.
Since 1983, Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich is the Chairman of the Belarusian branch of the former all-Union Society of Protozoologists and a member of its Central Council, since 1991 he has been working as the Chairman of the Belarusian Society of Protozoologists. For a number of years, Professor Yatusevich has been a member of the Parasitology section of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Presidium of the Society of Parasitocenologists at the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. In 1997, Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich was elected a member of the Petrovskaya Academy of Sciences and Arts, in 1999 he became a full member of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Education, in 1999 – a full member of the International Academy of Information Technologies, in 2014 – (a foreign member) an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Professor Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich headed the author’s team of the Veterinary Encyclopedia and held the position of the Chief editor of the Veterinary Gazeta. As the author of many publications and editor of scientific journals and bulletins, Professor Yatusevich feels very proud that the Veterinary Encyclopedia – a fundamental publication of a great importance for veterinary medicine and with great educational value – under his leadership was first published in the Belarusian language in 1995, and its publication in Russian appeared in 2014.
Professor A. I. Yatusevich has always occupied the positions with a high social status and great responsibilities, he participated in the activities of state and public bodies, was elected a Deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus. In 2013, Professor Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich was elected an Honorary Citizen of the Pinsky district of the Brest region.
The deeds and merits of Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich are highly valued in society. In 1999, for his great contribution to agricultural science and education, Professor A. I. Yatusevich was awarded the honorary title “Honored Scientist of the Republic of Belarus”, in 2013 – the honorary title “Honored Scientist and Educator” (Russia, Russian Academy of Natural Sciences). Professor, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, he was awarded the order of the Red Banner of Labor (2002), order of Honor (2008), order of Saints Cyril and Methodius (2010), the honorary signs “Inventor of the USSR” (1990), “2000 years of Christianity”(2000), “Excellent Educator of the Republic of Belarus” (2006), a silver medal of the Exhibition of Economic Achievements (1989), special “Gold Medal for Belarus” (2007) (USA), medal named after N. I. Vavilov (2012), Diploma of Quality of the European Chamber of Science and Industry for his high quality in professional activities (2016), and many other national and international awards and prizes, testifying to his exceptional dedication to veterinary medicine and education.
For his contribution to the development of domestic and international science, the name of Anton Ivanovich Yatusevich is included in the World Catalog of Protozoologists (1990, 1996), the international directory Outstanding Intellectuals of the World (USA, 1997), the international dictionary Outstanding Intellectuals of the XX Century (Great Britain, 1999, 2002), in Great International Encyclopedia “The Best People. Successful people” (Vol. 3. Russia. Kazakhstan. Ukraine. Belarus. 2013), encyclopedia Who is Who in the Republic of Belarus (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009) and many other editions
Now, having left the position of the rector, Professor Yatusevich still heads the Department for Parasitology and Invasive Animal Diseases of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, continuing to serve his profession, science and education of the young generation.
“Put your enthusiasm into what you are doing,” the distinguished scientist shares his secret. “And never look back.”
Kartunova, A. I.,
Head of the Department of Foreign Languages,
EE VSAVM