Alexander Dubko was a Belarusian statesman, the former chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee. He was awarded the titles of Hero of Socialist Labor and Hero of Belarus. He also served in the Belarusian SSR Supreme Soviet and the USSR Supreme Soviet. In 1994, he was a candidate for President of Belarus.
Background
Alexander Dubko was born on January 14, 1938 in Ilovo village, Shumilinski region, Vitebskaya oblast. His father Iosif Dubko was the head of the selsovet (rural council) and was shot in 1938 because a horse from the local kolhoz (collective farm) gave birth before the proper time. Alexander was only 2 months. And two years later the war began. The boy grew up early, never having a happy childhood.
Education
Alexander completed primary school in Ilovo and studied at the secondary school in Sirotino village (almost 7 kilometers away from his home). He liked history, geography, Belarusian and Russian literature. He was the main sportsman of the school, played football, volleyball. After finishing school, he entered Grodno Agrarian Institute (today’s Grodno State Agrarian University). He was a very good boxer and demonstrated his leadership qualities. In 1960, he graduated from the University.
Career
Dubko began his career as an agriculturist specializing in seed production at the educational sector "Stanislavova" of the Grodno Agrarian Institute (today’s Grodno State Agrarian University). In 1961-1963, Alexander headed its department and in 1963, became the Head of educational sector "Stanislavova". The administration of the region quickly turned its attention to the young and very perspective head of the educational sector. In 1966, Dubko was offered the post of the Head of the Agricultural Department at the Berestovitsa Executive Committee. He held that position till 1970 and was very successful. In 4 years, Dubko managed to increase productivity a lot. In 1970 - 1972, Alexander Dubko held the position of the Director of a specialized trust of milk-vegetable state farms in the Grodno region.
Since 1972, Dubko was the Head of the kolkhoz (collective farm) “Progress” in Vertelishki, the best in the Grodno region at that time. And again, he managed to increase its productivity drastically. The kolkhoz was enlarged 5 times under the Dubko’s leadership. Many neighboring kolkhozes joined “Progress”. Dubko paid much attention to the development of infrastructure, actively cooperated with 6 universities and research institutes, whose innovative technologies were successfully implemented in “Progress”. In 1982, "Progress" provided the highest harvest of grain in Belarus, and Alexander Dubko was awarded the honorary title of “Hero of Socialist Labour” and presented the Order of Lenin.
In 1989-1991, Dubko served as a People's Deputy of the USSR, member of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. From 1990 to 1991, he was the chairman of the Grodno Regional Soviet. In 1994, Dubko became a candidate for President of Belarus. After the presidential election, according to the President’s Decree No 257, Alexander Dubko was appointed the chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee. Under his rule, Grodno region became one of the leading in the country. Experienced manager Alexander Dubko made a significant contribution to the development of agriculture and industry.
Dubko was of the conviction that collective farms should closely cooperate with research institutes and universities and implement innovative technologies in order to develop and be successful.
Quotations:
When he became the Head of the kolkhoz “Progress” he said at the first meeting: "We will try to bring the economy to a new development stage. We need to enlarge, develop infrastructure, introduce new technologies.”
"The easiest way is just to destroy people’s lives by firing them. You should fire workers without initiative, who don’t want to change. But there are objective reasons you have to take into account, like bad lands, lack of machine operators, damaged equipment and debts, from which they can not get out without any assistance. It is always easier to criticize somebody than give him a good piece of advice".
Personality
He was characterized as an active, hard-working, honest, responsible leader, always taking care of his employees and trusting them. He talked to his workers often, helped them in everyday problems, and was always cheerful, smiling, speaking one language with the managers and ordinary people, drivers, shepherds, gardeners. Dubko stood out among the remaining heads of agricultural enterprises. He was a very interesting and extraordinary personality, distinguished by humanity. He treated people with understanding and respect, had great organizational skills, ability to predict and estimate the results ahead. He helped many young talented people to become leaders.
Quotes from others about the person
His wife Emma remembers: “Sasha always took everything about “Progress” to his heart. He devoted himself to its development. I think he saw all the changes in agriculture 10 years ahead.
Interests
Sport & Clubs
basketball, volleyball, boxing
Connections
Alexander met his wife Emma nee Meleshchenko when he was a student at the university. They have 2 sons: Alexander and Vladimir.