The Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad, supported by the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora and the Ministry of Science and Education and organized by the World Association of Azerbaijani Scholars, has officially begun in Baku, AzVision.az reports.

The event opened with the national anthem of Azerbaijan, followed by a moment of silence to honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s territorial integrity.

Farah Aliyeva, Head of the Department of Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism, and Religious Issues at the Presidential Administration, then read President Ilham Aliyev's message to the participants.

The video on the theme “Heydar Aliyev and Education” was screened.

Moderator of the event, Director of the Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature Academician Rafael Huseynov assessed the day as one of the most significant in the history of Azerbaijan. According to him, the forum with the participation of Azerbaijani scientists living in different parts of the world is an expression of Azerbaijan's strength and unity.

Referring to the history of independence and the path of development of our country, Huseynov noted National Leader Heydar Aliyev's unprecedented merits in the republic's choice of its path and line of independence.

He emphasized Azerbaijan's victory under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in the 44-day second Karabakh War, which further strengthened the country and enhanced its authority in the region and the world.

According to the academician, the unification of Azerbaijani scientists means the growth of Azerbaijan's intellectual power.

“We have 561 diaspora organizations in 51 countries. Preparations for this forum have been underway for a long time. The heart of our scientists is always with Azerbaijan,” the academician noted.

Addressing the event, ADA University Rector Hafiz Pashayev emphasized that raising the level of our science with the participation of Azerbaijani scientists living abroad and training personnel following the requirements of the new era is the dictates of time. Speaking about the activity of ADA University, the rector emphasized that the university headed by him has created several innovations after passing a difficult but successful path. According to him, science and education were very well developed in our country during the Soviet period. Scientists and specialists from abroad were attracted to Baku State University. There was also a need for specialists in the field of exact sciences, and this need was met at the expense of scientists from the USSR. After the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence, there was a need to introduce innovations in science and education along with other fields, the rector said.

“Science is a very attractive sphere. We should think about what needs to be done to raise the level of Azerbaijani science and training of professional personnel. At present, we have very talented young people growing up. We are confident that these young people will contribute to our science and education,” Hafiz Pashayev noted.

Honored Scientist, Professor of Munich Technical University, the first Azerbaijani scientist to receive the Humboldt Prize, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, world-known Azerbaijani scientist Masud Efendiyev noted that the purpose of organizing the forum is to promote the development of Azerbaijani science and create a bridge between professional and young scientists.

The professor expressed confidence that the ideas to be voiced at the event would make a significant contribution to the development of Azerbaijani science.

Expressing confidence that interesting discussions on the development of Azerbaijani science will be held at the forum, Science and Education Minister Emin Amrullayev noted that the most important point within the event is the issue of integration with our scientists living outside Azerbaijan. Emphasizing the importance of determining priorities for the development of Azerbaijani science, Amrullayev stressed that the state implements various programs related to education and also touched upon the importance of our young people studying within the program to return to the country and share knowledge. The Minister noted that great hopes are pinned on our scientists living abroad.

Talking about the significance of today's event, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov called the organization of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad and the meeting of Azerbaijani scientists working in different parts of the world in Baku an important event.

Stressing the importance of organizational work, Muradov said the committee's activity is built following the state policy and roadmap.

“Our goal is to strengthen our solidarity. The activity of the State Committee is also linked to the work carried out in Karabakh liberated from occupation. The activity of world-renowned Azerbaijani scientists at Karabakh University would be a contribution to our science. The Azerbaijani state provides sufficient support to science and education, scientists. Our goal in organizing the forum is to establish ties and cooperation between our world-famous and local scientists,” he added.

Afterward, a video with addresses to the forum participants by Azerbaijani Nobel Prize-winning scientists was demonstrated.

Within the framework of the forum, panel discussions on the “Role of scientists in the internationalization of science and higher education in Azerbaijan” were held under the moderating of Azerbaijan's official representative to the Women In Nuclear World Association, Dinara Abbasova (Austria).

Speaking at the discussions, the Rector of ADA University, Hafiz Pashayev, emphasized that the foundations of the higher education institution he heads are based on internationalism. Speaking about the importance of international experience, the rector noted the role of scientists from abroad and expressed confidence that the forum would contribute in this direction.

The speakers who spoke on the topic and voiced their proposals emphasized that the event was organized ahead of COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan in November, and touched upon the role of internationalization strategy in the direction of adapting personnel training to the requirements of the global labor market, digitalization, and the and the new model of university education.

The discussions also focused on the role of scientists living abroad in the development of science and higher education in Azerbaijan, attracting foreign students and professors.

Furthermore, confidence was expressed that numerous scientists living abroad will be able to contribute to the further development of our science.

At the end of the day, panel discussions were also held on “Building a Global Academic Network: New Approaches to the Development of Local Universities and Research Institutes”. Speakers at the discussions moderated by Masud Efendiyev, professor of Munich Technical University, the first Azerbaijani scientist to receive the Humboldt Prize, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, expressed their opinions and proposals on the creation of a global academic network. The role of scientists living abroad in coordinating the work of universities and research institutes operating in Azerbaijan with the international academic environment was also discussed. The speakers talked about the positive experiences of Chinese Diaspora scientists and emphasized the importance of building this model for Azerbaijan.

The event, organized by the Association of Azerbaijani World Scientists with the support of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora and the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, will be a three-day event.

The forum is attended by more than 80 Azerbaijani scientists from 23 countries, with a total of about 200 figures in science.

As part of the forum, the participants will visit the cities of Shusha and Khankendi, which will help utilize the knowledge and experience of our scientists in the process of reconstruction of the territories liberated from occupation and hold discussions with the teaching staff of Karabakh University.

The forum aims to bring together Azerbaijani scientists living in different countries, organize their meetings with local scientists, and promote the exchange of knowledge and experience.

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