On January 15, 2024, the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus approved the results of the Scientist of the Year of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus 2023 competition, held by a Commission of Experts, and decided to award the Scientist of the Year of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus 2023 title to Academic Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Technical Science, Associate Professor, Corresponding Member Azarenko Vladimir Vitalievich. The scientist was awarded the high title for his significant personal contribution to the development of agroengineering science, the creation of promising high-tech developments in the field of mechanization of tillage and land clearance improvement of agricultural lands, innovative developments of scientific equipment for experimental research of tillage working bodies, as well as improving safety and working conditions of mobile agricultural equipment operators.
Vladimir V. Azarenko is a scientist in the field of technology and means of agricultural mechanization. Corresponding Member (2014), Doctor of Technical Science (2006), Associate Professor (2008). The main scientific works of the scientist are devoted to the study of the patterns of a stress-deformed soil mass destruction by pulsed loads. Working as an academic secretary of the Department of Agrarian Sciences of the NAS of Belarus since 2015, he has been the head of the subprogram Mechanization of Agricultural Processes and "Precision" Agriculture of the state research program Agricultural Technologies and Food Security for 2021–2025. Vladimir Vitalievich is in charge of ensuring the development of technical agricultural science, technology and production, organizing work on the training of highly qualified scientific personnel, coordinating work to ensure the implementation of R&D plans. Based on the research, 17 samples of modern technology have been created, tested in accordance with the established procedure and produced by industry.
Vladimir V. Azarenko is the author of 267 scientific papers, including 34 inventor's certificates and patents for inventions and utility models. He is a member of the Council for Scientific and Technical Cooperation of the NAS of Belarus with the People's Republic of China. He is a member of the permanent working group of the NAS of Belarus on cooperation with the States of the Middle East region.
He was awarded the breastplate of distinction named after V.M. Ignatovsky of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (2019), the Grand Medal of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (2022), the Certificate of Honor of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus (2022).
The Scientist of the Year of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus competition was established in January 2018. Its purpose is to identify and encourage the most effective scientists working in the competitive year from among academicians and corresponding members, as well as highly qualified researchers working in scientific organizations of the NAS of Belarus, who have significant personal achievements in research activities, make a significant contribution to the development of scientific and innovative activities in the Republic of Belarus, strengthening the international authority of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus, training of highly qualified scientific personnel. The Scientist of the Year title is awarded annually on the eve of the celebration of the Day of Belarusian Science based on the results of a competitive selection.
Six contests were held. The Scientist of the Year title was awarded to: in 2017 – Corresponding Member Kolomiets Emilia Ivanovna, in 2018 – Academician Kazak Nikolai Stanislavovich, in 2019 – Corresponding Member Kovalenya Alexander Alexandrovich, in 2020 – Academician Agabekov Vladimir Yenokovich, in 2021 – Academician Ilyushenko Alexander Fyodorovich, in 2022 – Corresponding Member Karpov Igor Alexandrovich.