RAYISA VOZHEGOVA: “SCIENCE CANNOT STAND STILL”

A woman scientist. A woman leader. A woman who takes responsibility for people, science and the future of the institution.

Six months ago, academician of NAAS, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine, Rayisa Vozhegova, headed the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center of Seed and Cultivar Investigation. During this time, quite a few changes have taken place in the life of the Institute. Doctoral studies have been reopened, work is underway to establish a specialized academic council in the main areas of activity, professional scientific publications are being restored, cooperation with scientific institutions, universities, agricultural enterprises and businesses is expanding. The Institute is becoming more actively involved in grant programs, international initiatives and new scientific projects.

But behind each of these points are people’s decisions, their motivation and daily work.

We spoke with Rayisa Vozhegova about why a scientific institution today needs to constantly move forward, why staff development is an investment in the future, how the role of a leader is changing, and why even in difficult conditions the development of science cannot be postponed.

— Rayisa Anatoliivna, you headed the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute six months ago. How did you see the Institute at the beginning of your work, and what was most important to you?

For me, the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute is, above all, its people, scientific schools, a huge legacy and potential that cannot be lost. It is an institution with a great history and a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian plant breeding. Therefore, when I was appointed acting director, it was important for me not simply to support the Institute’s current activities; I wanted to restore a sense of movement, development and prospects. Science cannot stand still. If we do not develop, attract young scientists, seek partners and embark on new projects, we gradually lose opportunities. That is why today we are working in many promising areas at once.

— One of the important decisions was to restore doctoral studies at the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute. This probably has personal significance for you as well?

Certainly. At one time, the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute had doctoral studies, and it was here that I defended my doctoral dissertation. Therefore, for me, restoring doctoral studies is not simply an administrative decision. It is the return to the Institute of one of its important scientific traditions. I know well how important such a stage can be for young scientists. Doctoral studies are an opportunity not only to obtain the highest academic degree, but also to develop one’s own scientific field, establish oneself as a researcher and continue a scientific school. Today we have strong scientists, many years of experience and extensive scientific achievements. Our task is to make sure that all this does not remain merely history. We need to pass on knowledge, create conditions for young scientists and form a new generation of researchers. It is especially important to me that young scientists, when they come to the PBGI, see here not only a glorious past, but also an opportunity to build their own scientific future.

— At the same time, work is underway to establish a specialized academic council. What will this give the Institute?

This is a very important step toward restoring the Institute’s full-fledged scientific life. We are working to establish a specialized academic council in the main areas of activity of the PBGI. This means that the Institute will be able to develop its scientific schools more actively, facilitate the training of scientific personnel and create conditions for dissertation defenses. For me, it is essential that the PBGI be not simply an institution where research is conducted. I want it to be a powerful scientific center where new ideas are born, a scientific school is formed and new specialists grow.

— Another area is the restoration of a specialized scientific collection. Why is it important to bring such publications back today?

Because science must be visible. Scientific results need to be discussed, published and made available to the professional community. A specialized publication is a platform for communication between scientists, an opportunity to present research results and exchange experience. We want the PBGI collection to become such a platform again.

— Over the past few months, the Institute has significantly expanded its circle of partners. Why is this important to you?

Modern science cannot develop in isolation. We need cooperation with other scientific institutions, universities, producers and agricultural businesses. That is why today we are building new partnerships. We cooperate with institutions of NAAS and NAS of Ukraine, educational institutions, farms and enterprises. For example, we have agreements on joint scientific research, professional training, variety testing, and the development of innovative technologies. It is important to me that this cooperation not be formal. A signed document does not change anything by itself. The result begins when it is backed by specific joint actions.

— The PBGI has also intensified its grant activities. Why do you consider this area important?

Because today a scientific institution must be able to seek opportunities for development. State funding is not enough to implement all ideas and fully utilize scientific potential. Therefore, we need to work with international foundations, grant programs and investment opportunities. We are already working on a number of grant applications and international projects. Among them are initiatives in the fields of agrotechnologies, phytosanitary safety, seed quality, personnel training and international cooperation. I am convinced that if we see an opportunity, we need to try. Not all applications will be supported, but every prepared project proposal may provide experience, new contacts and an opportunity to move forward.

— You pay a lot of attention to partnerships with producers and farms. Why is it important for a scientist to be closer to the field?

Because agricultural science must work for real production. We cannot create varieties or technologies merely so that they remain on paper. They need to be tested, adapted and verified under real conditions. That is why cooperation with farms is very important to us. It is an opportunity to see how our developments work, receive feedback from producers and find solutions together. Science and production must work in the same direction.

— You yourself have worked in agricultural science for many years. Has your view of the role of a scientist changed over this time?

Certainly. Today, a scientist must be not only a good researcher. They must be able to communicate, work in a team, seek partners, present their results and attract resources. This is especially important for the head of a scientific institution. A leader cannot sit in an office and wait for opportunities to come on their own. One needs to seek contacts, talk to people, negotiate, persuade and support the team.

— You talk about the team. How difficult is it today to be a woman leading a large scientific institution?

I have never divided professional activity into “men’s” and “women’s.” There is responsibility, there is work, and there is a result. A woman leader, like any leader, has to make decisions, sometimes very difficult ones. At the same time, women often pay more attention to human relationships, the atmosphere within the team, and what people are feeling. This is important to me. I want people at the Institute to understand: they are needed, their work matters, and their ideas can be heard.

— Rayisa Anatoliivna, you came to the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute at a difficult time for the country. But for you, the topic of war is not only a nationwide problem. For many years, you headed the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture in Kherson, which was destroyed by Russian aggression. What gives you the strength to keep moving forward?

A sense of responsibility. And, perhaps, an understanding that science has no right to stop. For many years I worked at the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture in Kherson. It was a part of my professional life, a team, scientific schools and the results of many years of work. And when you see how war effectively destroys what was created over decades, it is very painful. But at the same time, it teaches one important thing: we do not have the right to allow science, experience and the work of people to disappear along with buildings or laboratories. That is why today I see my work at the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute not simply as a new stage of my professional activity. It is a responsibility to ensure that strong Ukrainian agricultural science continues to live, develop and create the future. Ukraine needs its own varieties, its own seeds, its own technologies, its own scientists. And if we want to have this tomorrow, we need to work today. Buildings can be lost. Material resources can be lost. But we must not lose the most important things — people, knowledge and the desire to rebuild. Perhaps that is what gives me the strength to move forward.

— How would you like to see the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute in several years?

I want to see it as a modern, open and strong scientific center. A center where scientists can receive education, knowledge and grow professionally. Where researchers have the opportunity to realize their ideas. Where there are modern laboratories, international projects and strong partners. And most importantly — where people feel that they are working not simply for an institution, but for the future of Ukrainian science and the Ukrainian agricultural sector. The PBGI-NCS has enormous potential. My task as a leader is to help this potential unfold.

— And what does this new stage in the life of the Institute mean to you personally?

An opportunity to be useful. I have worked in science for many years and know how important it is not to lose time. I want every working day to produce a concrete result. To restore what was lost. To create what did not exist before. To support people who want to work. To open the doors for young scientists. To find partners. To attract resources. Perhaps, it sounds simple. But it is precisely from such daily steps that development is made. And I am convinced: the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute has a future. And we must do everything to make this future strong.