ANAS: Azerbaijani scientists shining in many fields
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Azerbaijani scientists have been shining in many scientific fields, said Akif Alizade, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, at the I Congress of the Azerbaijani scientists in Baku, on December 19.
Alizade said the share of science in significant successes of Azerbaijan is not at a desired level.
He confessed that science is still gripped by a deep crisis in all post-Soviet countries.
"Establishment of a modern scientific infrastructure, realization of large-scale projects, as well as launching new mechanisms to finance the scientific investigations have not still been discussed from the practical point of view," Alizade said.
Alizade also touched upon the obstacles in the way of scientific activities in Azerbaijan due to some cases in the legislation. He underlined the importance of creation of new business and tender mechanisms to promote effectiveness in scientific operations.
Commenting on the social conditions of the scientists, he said: "It is very important to rightly assess the scientific works. The government has carried out sustainable works to increase the salaries of scientists and improve their social protection."
Alizade noted that providing the scientists with residences was also an important issue. "One of our key goals is to create a residential complex called Science City with the support of the government," he said.
He also underlined the importance of involving the youth in scientific activities and developing fundamental principles for this purpose.
Azerbaijani scientists achieved great scientific results, which can be applied in various economic fields in the country, said Ali Abbasov, High Technologies and Communication Minister, addressing the Congress with a report "Innovative Progress: Modern Vision."
Abbasov said a "clean room" was established under the Ministry to apply modern ecological technologies to contribute to Azerbaijan's science.
"Azerbaijan is one of the dynamically developing economies in the world over the last ten years to achieve the complete micro-economic stability, according to the World Economic Forum. The country is now rated 38th for economic competitiveness, 49th for ICT development and 6th in terms of state approach towards the future ICT progress. Our main target is to decrease the economy's dependence on oil sector. "Azerbaijan 2020: Vision to Future" development concept aims to double the overall amount of GDP per capita obtained from the oil sector," he noted.
Abbasov said despite establishment all necessary conditions for innovative development in Azerbaijan, a low-level relationship between innovation and science is the biggest obstacles in the country's innovative progress.
He added that the export potential of Azerbaijan in the field of high technologies is very small being $52 million.
Meanwhile, Lotfi Zadeh, a world-wide known Azerbaijani scientist and founder of the fuzzy logic theory, who is living in the U.S., said he was optimistic about Azerbaijan's future, addressing the Congress attendees via a video switch.
"Azerbaijan is lucky to have clever and capable men among its authorities. I am optimistic towards Azerbaijan's future. Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis will always be in my heart," Zadeh said.
"Azerbaijan has prudent authorities and rich oil resources. That wealth lets Azerbaijan put forward various initiatives. Having a satellite, Eurovision and other initiatives make Azerbaijan well-known all over the world," he noted.
The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences will turn 70 next year. The 70-year history of ANAS is not the whole life of the Azerbaijani science, since it roots back to an older and wider history.