Oleksandr Aksyonov

On October 13, the Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Oleksandr Aksyonov, turned 95 years old. He was born in 1929 in the village of Krotovo, Dovolensky District, Novosibirsk Oblast, into the family of a local teacher. After completing his secondary education, in 1948, the young man enrolled in the Mechanical Faculty of the Kyiv Institute of Civil Air Fleet (later known as KIICA, and now NAU). He was an excellent student, regarded as one of the best, and upon graduating in 1953, he was given the opportunity to work as an assistant at the Department of Technical Operations.

The young instructor earned the respect of his colleagues and students. He also dedicated a significant amount of time to scientific work under the guidance of the renowned expert in friction and metal wear, Professor Borys Kostetskyi. Their research focused on extending the service life and improving the durability characteristics of aviation equipment components. 

The institute's administration recognized Aksyonov's professionalism, energy, and organizational skills, and in 1957, he was appointed Head of the Academic Department. Four years later, he became Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. Despite these administrative roles, he continued his teaching and research work, defending his PhD thesis in 1960. 

As Vice-Rector, Aksyonov played a key role in the creation of seven new faculties and the introduction of nine new specialties, as well as in the development of numerous scientific topics related to civil aviation. In 1968, he became the Head of the Department of Aviation Materials Science. By this time, he had published over 60 scientific papers, and in 1970, he defended his doctoral dissertation.

For the next five years, Aksyonov gained valuable experience as Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation of the USSR for Technology and Science. In 1975, he returned to Kyiv and became the rector of his alma mater, a position he held until 1988. During his tenure, new faculties were established, and the number of students, including those from abroad, increased. In 1976, he was elected a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. 

Starting in 1988, Aksyonov once again served as Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation. After the dissolution of the USSR, he returned to his alma mater, where he became the chief scientific researcher at the industry-specific research laboratory and an advisor to the rectorate, continuing his fruitful work.