Ivan Vakarchuk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ivan Oleksandrovych Vakarchuk
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| Іван Олександрович Вакарчук | |
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| Born | 6 March 1947 Brătușeni, Edineț Raion Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union
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| Died | 4 April 2020 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Occupation | Scientist |
| Title | Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Merited Functionary of Science and Technology of Ukraine, Honorary Doctor of Cracow Pedagogical Academy, Hero of Ukraine |
| Spouse(s) | Svitlana Oleksandrivna Vakarchuk |
| Children | Svyatoslav Vakarchuk (1975) Oleg Vakarchuk (1980) |
| Awards |  |
Ivan Vakarchuk (born March 6, 1947 – died April 4, 2020) was an important Ukrainian scientist, a physicist, and a public figure. He was also a politician. From 1990 to 2007, and again from 2010 to 2013, he was the head of Lviv University. This role is called the Rector. Between 2007 and 2010, he served as the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine. He received the highest award in Ukraine, the Hero of Ukraine title, in 2007. Ivan Vakarchuk was also the father of Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, the famous leader of the rock band Okean Elzy.
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About Ivan Vakarchuk
Ivan Vakarchuk was born on March 6, 1947. His birthplace was a village called Brătușeni. This village is located in the Edineț District of what was then the Moldavian SSR.
His School Years
In 1965, Ivan Vakarchuk finished his secondary education. He did very well, graduating with honors from his local middle school. From 1965 to 1970, he studied physics at Lviv University. After that, he continued his studies. From 1970 to 1973, he did postgraduate research. This was at the Lviv section of the Institute of Theoretical Physics.
In 1974, he earned his PhD degree. His research focused on how tiny particles behave. Later, in 1980, he earned his Doctor of Sciences degree. This higher degree was for his work on the "Microscopic theory of Bose liquid." Ivan Vakarchuk was part of a special group of scientists. They were known as the Lviv school of statistical physics.
His Professional Life
From 1973 to 1984, Ivan Vakarchuk worked as a researcher. He was at the Lviv branch of the Institute for Theoretical Physics. He started as a junior researcher. Then he became a senior researcher. Finally, he became the head of the Quantum Statistics department.
In 1984, he started working at Lviv University. He became a Professor and led the Theoretical Physics department. On November 13, 1990, he was chosen as the Rector of Lviv University. He held this important position until November 2007. He returned to this role again from 2010 to 2013.
During the 2004 presidential elections in Ukraine, he spoke out. He encouraged students to vote for Viktor Yushchenko. In 2008, he was listed among the top 100 most influential Ukrainians. This was according to Reporter magazine. On December 18, 2007, Ivan Vakarchuk was appointed Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.
His Scientific Work
Ivan Vakarchuk was a Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. He was also a Professor. He had a wide range of scientific interests. These included the physics of quantum liquids. He also studied how materials change phases. He looked at disordered systems and magnetic systems.
He was interested in mathematical methods in physics. He also explored quantum mechanics and quantum computer science. His interests even extended to geophysics and cosmology. In all these areas, he found new ways to study different physical events. His broad interests helped him use his methods in many fields.
Ivan Vakarchuk also thought a lot about new science discoveries. He considered how natural sciences and humanities connect. He looked for common mathematical patterns. These patterns might explain processes in social areas. He wrote over 240 scientific papers. He also wrote several books. These include "Lectures on General Relativity" (1991) and "Quantum Mechanics" (1998).
Awards and Recognitions
Ivan Vakarchuk received many awards and honors for his work.
His Public Activities
- He was the founder and editor of the "Journal of Physics Research."
- He also founded the popular science magazine "World of Physics."
- He was a member of the committee for state awards.
- He helped decide who received State Prizes in science and technology.
- He was the Vice-President of the Union of university rectors in Ukraine.
- He was on the editorial board for "Higher Education in Ukraine" journal.
- He led the Lviv Regional Peace Council.
- He was the President of the Ukrainian Physical Society.
- He was part of the Council on Science under the President of Ukraine.
- He helped organize the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus.
His Awards and Titles
- He received the Order of Merit, 3rd class, in February 2005.
- He was named Hero of Ukraine in 2007.
- He received the Honour Badge of the President of Ukraine in 1996.
- He was recognized as a Merited Functionary of Science and Technology of Ukraine in 2006.
- He won the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology in 2000.
- He was an Honorary Doctor of the Cracow Pedagogical Academy.
- He was also an Honorary Doctor of University of Wrocław.
- He received the Barabashov Prize from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
- He earned a Diploma from the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in 1983.
- He received Diplomas of Merit from the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR in 1977 and 1981.
His Family Life
Family
Ivan Vakarchuk was married to Svetlana. She was born in 1947. Svetlana was a physics teacher. She was also an assistant professor at Lviv National Academy of Veterinary Medicine.
They had two sons. Their first son is Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, born in 1975. He is a well-known Ukrainian politician. He is also the lead singer of the famous Ukrainian rock band "Okean Elzy." Their second son, Oleg, was born in 1980. Oleg works at a bank.
His Passing
Ivan Vakarchuk passed away on April 4, 2020. He was 73 years old. He died in Lviv, Ukraine. The specific reason for his death was not publicly shared.
