Alexander Sergeevich Potupa[1] (Belarusian: Аляксандр Сяргеевіч Патупа; Russian: Александр Серге́евич Потупа; March 21, 1945 – June 1, 2009) was a Belarusian philosopher, writer, scientist and human rights activist.
Biography
Alexander Sergeevich Potupa was born in Sevastopol, Russia on March 21, 1945, eventually moving to Yeysk, where he went to school. He also became a chess master. From 1961 until his death, he lived in Minsk, Belarus.
Soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union Potupa decided to open a private company. Prior to 1988, there were only public/government businesses. From 1989 until 1996, Potupa was the President /Founder of Publishing & Printing Company "Eridan", which was the first Private publishing & printing company to open in Belarus. "Eridan", won the – Torch of Birmingham awarded for survival in a rough economic environment.
Since 1992 he was a President of Future Studies Center (forecast and social research) where he had performed over 15 complex expert social polls. Potupa published over 100 publications and articles[19] and made over 60 appearances in international and national conferences in the area of forecasting, sociology, political science, economics, and law.
In 1995 he received a PhD in Philosophy & Futurology (strategic forecasting and information technology). Professor. Dr. Potupa was also a researcher and lecturer in futures studies. His specialty was in strategic forecasting, globalization, futurogenic causality, models for Belarus & CIS development, sociology, cosmology, strategy for science.
He died unexpectedly on June 1, 2009, at the Borovliani Hospital during a lung cancer treatment. The cause of death is thrombus, a blood clot, which separated from his leg blocking path to both of his lungs.
Occupation and memberships
Occupations:
President of Center for Future Studies (1992–2009)
President of BAE – Belarusian Association of Entrepreneurs (2001–2007), Honorable President of BAE (2008)
President /Founder of Publishing & Printing Company "Eridan" (1989–1996), 1st Private publishing & printing company in Belarus.
Professional and other memberships:
IAIPT(in Russian) (International Academy of Informational Processes and Technologies)
IALBA (International Academy of Leaders in Business & Administration)
For High Achievements in a Science (IAIT, Minsk, Belarus, 2004)
For High Achievements in a Science (gold medal, IAIT, Minsk, Belarus, 2005)
Personal info
Married, 2 kids
Wife (Lubov N. Potupa, 1955, manager)
Daughter (Elena A. Potoupa, 1975, JD International Law, BS Physics, MBA International Business, president/owner of Wow Things, Inc., NJ, US, Internet-"Oscar"-2005 Golden Link Award)
Son (Andrei A. Potupa, 1976, JD international law, manager, journalist)
Grandson (Antony, 2002)
Scholarship
In 2009, Elena Potoupa, daughter of Alexander S. Potupa, has established the Dr. Alexander S. Potupa Memorial Scholarship[23] in memory of her late father, a Belarusian writer, philosopher, scientist and civil activist. The scholarship supports international business students.